New Year, New Job or Internship? Start Planning Now

8 January 2024

The start of a new year ushers in feelings of hope and new beginnings, all of which are beneficial for students conducting a job or internship search for the upcoming summer, a valuable supplement to Carleton’s liberal arts education, preparing them for life after Carleton. Since securing a summer experience takes time and energy, here are 7 tips and tricks to help jumpstart your student’s search process.  

1. Clearly define what they want (to do), not just what they can do

Students who kick off their job or internship search with answers to these questions in mind can position themselves on the right path from the start.

  • What do I enjoy doing, or what gives me energy, and why?
  • What kind of environment do I want to work in and why?
  • What kind of interactions do I want to have at work and why?

2. Update their résumé

Almost all jobs and internships will require a résumé. However, a “one-size-fits-all” approach won’t land an interview. To stand out from other applicants, each application should be accompanied by a targeted résumé that aligns with the position’s qualifications, highlighting the skills relevant to the job or internship. Before hitting the “submit” button, students are strongly encouraged to seek résumé feedback from someone they trust like their advisor, professor, Student Career Assistant (SCA), or a career coach to ensure it’s free of errors. 

3.  Search for postings

To find organizations offering summer experiences, students should familiarize themselves with Carleton-specific and general online job and internship databases like Handshake, Indeed, and LinkedIn. Typically, students will apply for summer experiences directly through the online database (e.g., Handshake), via company websites, or by submitting their résumé and cover letter by email. Students wondering, “Where can I apply for summer internships?,” are encouraged to check out the Career Center’s Student Internship Database to view where students have interned throughout the past 20 years. 

4. Grow your network

Carleton’s Alumni Directory makes it easy for students to identify and contact alumni who work in professional fields of interest, allowing them to learn about their journey and how to secure an internship in their given profession. Another way to connect with alumni (employers too) is by attending campus events

5.  Target specific companies

Just as students should seek an internship or job that they’re interested in, it’s important to target companies that will be a good cultural fit for them. Students can create a list of companies by using the Career Center’s Student Internship Database. Then, they can visit a company’s website to check for job and internship listings. If no information is available on a company’s website about jobs or internships, reaching out directly to ask about summer opportunities is encouraged. 

6.  Learn about Carleton’s Internship Funding Program

Like all other internships, there are both paid and unpaid options available. When researching internships, students should consider their needs. For an unpaid internship or one that provides a small stipend, encourage your student to check out Carleton’s Internship Funding Program which provides up to $5,200 for eligible internships to offset the costs of food, transportation, and housing expenses.

7.  Pursue a self-designed summer experience

Students with a specific summer experience in mind could consider contacting an organization where they previously worked or volunteered to ask about creating an internship by adding additional responsibilities to use their newly gained knowledge and skills. Additionally, when your student reaches out to alumni for informational interviews, it’s possible that information shared by an alum could serve as a lead for designing a summer experience.   

Encourage your student to connect with the Career Center for ongoing assistance throughout their internship and job search process.