<p>I was wondering which year of college students typically begin applying for their first internships? I read somewhere that students usually begin applying sophomore year, but was not sure if the article I was reading meant the summer going into sophomore year or during sophomore year for the summer going into junior year. Would an internship done during the summer after freshman year of college hold much clout, or would it be better to get an actual job, particularly if the internship in question is low pay or unpaid?</p>
<p>In my case, I landed an internship in the summer after my junior year. </p>
<p>I think the summer after your sophomore year is reserved for summer leadership type programs that prepare you for your junior internship.</p>
<p>Internship experience is a must. Consider the quality of the internship rather than how much you are getting paid or not getting paid. One of my friends worked for free for almost 6 months without asking for a full time offer. One day, he walked in to work and found a offer letter on his desk for an ibanking analyst position. It will pay off! Good luck!</p>
<p>Usually you apply in the fall semester of your junior year. It is possible to get one before that however.</p>
<p>this sooo depends on the kid, school and major…there is no hard and fast rule…</p>
<p>D1 applied and completed an upaid one after freshman year (part-time), a paid one after sophomore year and a paid one this summer (after junior year)…</p>
<p>she has peers in her school who just did their first one this summer…</p>
<p>My school has a program for everyone to do 3 internships between their sophomore summer and junior summer. Usually it’s at the same place each time unless you mess something up</p>
<p>Most schools encourage internship recruiting during Junior year for that summer. At top schools, however, few students start interning at small firms the summer after their Freshman year.</p>
<p>Apply now. Just do it. Can’t hurt. It’ll train you, and you’ll garner experience for internship recruiting with top firms during the latter college years.</p>