Are you currently seeking a summer internship but having trouble finding and securing one? Landing an internship that fulfills the necessary criteria and offers appropriate experience can be a challenging ordeal. Luckily, we have some tips that might help you on your search.
Take advantage of your resources
Harding offers various resources on campus for students seeking internships. According to Brian Harrington, director of the Center for Professional Excellence (CPE), they offer a wide range of services that may help.
“Internships are really good because it gives you a sense of what you’d like to do or what you may not like to do,” Harrington said. “And it gives you a chance to find a company that you want to work for.”
The center hosts events such as career fairs and meetups with companies for students majoring in business, accounting and finance. They also review resumes and hold mock interviews. According to Harrington, they have a closet with professional attire that students can borrow for interviews. While the center is a part of the College of Business Administration, they are willing to advise students from any major, so feel free to stop by Mabee 220 for assistance.
Network
According to senior public relations major Jantzen Teague, talking to your peers can really help.
“Talk to your peers first and foremost,” Teague said. “Don’t be afraid to reach for the stars, either. If that dream internship is something you can apply for, go for it.”
Teague applied for several different internships before securing her position at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She had a connection at the hospital with a fellow church member who helped her get in contact with the right people.
According to Teague, interning as a student is crucial to gaining real-world experience, and her experience as an intern helped prepare her for the real thing.
Senior social work major Sarah Littleton, who interned at Healing with CAARE and Restore Hope, an organization that aims to help decrease the chances of criminals returning to prison, also felt using connections was crucial to securing an internship.
“I did not apply for either of the internships that I had, but I got them because I knew someone,” Littleton said. “Networking and connections are powerful.”
Be persistent
Junior finance major Paul Pearson said he never let a recruiter forget him. Pearson, who secured an internship with Walmart in their Accounting and Finance Development Program for the summer, worked hard to stand out. He reached out to potential employers by sending emails, calling and writing handwritten notes.
According to Pearson, it really helped when he got his interview because he’d already developed a relationship.
Visit career services
Located on the second floor of the Student Center in room 239, the Center for Student Success provides students with career planning, offers free resume reviews and posts internship opportunities on the Bison Career Search online. They also have a number of tips on the Harding website to help students write cover letters, resumes and prepare for interviews. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Internships can be daunting obstacles to overcome. From getting in contact with the right people to actually securing the position, a lot of work goes into making the most of any internship opportunity. However, following these useful tips should help you better your chances for gaining valuable real-world experience.
