Some Internship Tips

By Michael Rozelle, Campus Representative, Ball State University

“Getting your foot in the door” should be every college student’s goal throughout their university career. The most effective way to do so is through an internship. Kate Lorenz, Careerbuilder.com editor, writes about how important an internship is for a college student an her article, “An Internship: The Key to Finding Your First Job.”

Some of the tips she gives include:

- If you're heading home for semester breaks or during the summer, take a look at the companies in your hometown.

- “Don't forget to look to trade associations and non-profit organizations. While they may not offer the highest paying positions, you may find that there is less competition and a lot more opportunity to do real work.”

- “Start early in the year to see when internships begin (they often coincide with college terms) and when the company will begin taking and reviewing applications.”

By taking an internship, you have a chance to prove yourself to a potential employer. If you show enthusiasm and work hard, you’re more likely to be offered a job if a position opens up. Not all internships may lead you to a career in the same organization, but even if that is so, they will look impressive to other potential employers. Internships are an excellent experience builder and should be a goal for all college students.