What's the best way to contact companies about internships?

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>I'm working on a list off all of the possible companies within a 40 mile radius that could hire me as an intern this summer (with the help of some professors who can tell me about some of the places I didn't even know about).</p>

<p>My question is, when I finish this list of companies, how do I go about contacting them? And when should I do it (classes end for Summer on May 9th). I'm willing to be that 90% of them won't be advertising engineering internship positions, so I can't just find an application and I don't know exactly how to go about it. There are many students here that say they wouldn't have gotten an internship if it wasn't for contacting all companies, even the ones that weren't advertising it.</p>

2

<p>2 ways. Firstly, take the internet. See if you can find the name of the HR manager on the website or through meeting minutes online. If there’s a general phone number for the company you could straight out ask the receptionist and explain why you want it very nicely, I can’t see a problem. You may have to go snail mail for this. Be very careful about your presentation of your letter. </p>

<p>Be as open to possible dates as you can. tell them how long you want and if you need to ask to be paid. Also, what you can offer them already skills wise and what you’d like to learn/ experience in that time.</p>

<p>It’ll take time. Write individually focused letters. A copy and paste job is immediately obvious and will find it straight in the bin.</p>

<p>Really good luck in finding something.</p>

3

<p>Linkedin.
.</p>

4

<p>I figured snail mail would be an option (if not the only option) for some.</p>

<p>One company that I know of if J H Fletcher manufacturing. I checked out there site and couldn’t find any contact information for HR, but I followed the link to an application they have posted for another job on there page, and I found this bit of info:</p>

<p>"J.H. Fletcher & Co.
402 High Street,
Huntington, West Virginia 25705
Attn: David Cooper, Vice President
of Risk Management and Human Resources "</p>

<p>So I’m thinking that’s where my letter should go? And should I do it now or wait? Some people say the sooner the better, some people say at least wait until the Spring.</p>

5

<p>Make sure to leverage your campus career center for advise. They usually deal with internships as well as post-grad placements. </p>

<p>Many years ago (before internet magic), my two summer MechE internships were based on campus interview sessions coordinated by my campus career center. Your school may have something similar to this current example - [Clarkson</a> University: Obtaining an Internship](<a href=“http://www.clarkson.edu/career/students/exp_ed/internship_requirements/steps.html]Clarkson”>http://www.clarkson.edu/career/students/exp_ed/internship_requirements/steps.html)</p>

6

<p>Yes, you must absolutely visit your campus career office, where they can do SOME of the heavy lifting for you. For example, when is the next scheduled Career Fair at your campus? Also, get a copy of the list of employers whom attended recent career fairs at your campus. That list is probably available on line.</p>

7

<p>See if you can find any connection to any employees at those companies. Check with your college’s career center. Do they maintain a list of alumni who are willing to help students? If so, contact an alumnus and ask for any suggestions. Join LinkedIn, and connect to anyone you know, and search for people who work at your target companies.</p>

8

<p>Here’s the update and a little added question:</p>

<p>There are 22 manufacturing companies in or very close to Huntington. I’m in the (painfully long) process of writing individual letter’s of inquiry to an HR manager at each company. By this summer I will have taken:</p>

<p>Calculus 1 and 2
Principles of Physics 1 (w/ Lab)
Engineering Seminar
The Engineering Profession
Introduction to Computer Aided Design
Engineering Statics</p>

<p>Does anyone thing that, out of 22 manufacturing companies and the courses I will have taken, I will have a slight chance at getting something? For the record, pay is not important to me - experience is. I’d do it for free if I had the money for gas. At this early point, I’d take about anything I can get and do it for minimum pay.</p>

9

<p>Federal laws require that the companies pay for intern. (There is an exceptionn for non-profits). </p>

<p>It’s hard to get an internship after freshman year, but not impossible. DS did campus research. It didn’t pay too much, but dorm was free.</p>

10

<p>I suppose campus research is something I should be considering. How exactly do I go about getting involved with research?</p>

11

<p>Well pardner, you’ve limited your paid research job opportunities with your 40 mile radius stipulation. Unless you’ve got multiple major colleges/universities in your immediate area, there may not be more than one REU opportunity nearby for you to apply to. REU = Research Experience for Undergraduates. Go to the National Science Foundation website to find out details. Keep in mind, most REU programs provide free or discounted housing and a travel reimbursement.</p>

12

<p>Here’s a link - [US</a> NSF - REU - For Students](<a href=“http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/]US”>REU - For Students | NSF - National Science Foundation)</p>

<p>But my advise is to ask for guidance on your own campus. They may know of local opportunities that don’t need the formal REU application process. Good luck!</p>