Strategies
Finding an internship can be fun. The search process itself offers a great opportunity to explore different work settings and begin to build your professional network. You will also develop search skills that you will again use to find a job after you graduate. The Career Center is here to help you every step of the way, so please contact us with any questions.
Here are some strategies to get you started:
- Focus yourself: To the extent possible, be clear about your needs and priorities for an internship.
- Stay organized: Before you initiate contact with hiring managers and alumni, you will want to set up a system for tracking résumés submitted, networking contacts, interviews, a list of organizations and other helpful websites and resources. Make a copy of the Internship Search Tracking Tool and save it in your Google Drive.
- Identify sources of information. A lot of formal information about potential internships is available online (as found on websites, databases, etc.). But perhaps even more important is the information available from informal sources – contacts that you make in the networking process and by pursuing informational interviews (see Networking and Informational Interviewing).
- Identify organizations for whom you may wish to work. Start a list of places that seem interesting and keep it handy to capture ideas that you come up with throughout your search. Explore the Student Internship Database to discover organizations where Carls have worked in the past.
- Utilize your network of Carleton alumni, faculty, friends, relatives and their business associates. Reach out to them for guidance and resources that will lead to the type of internship experience you are hoping to find.
- Prepare: Get your application materials ready.
If you’re still not sure of where to begin, that’s okay! Make an appointment with a career coach who can help.
Timeline
Internship hiring timelines vary by industry, so get to know the timeline for your target industry. In general, the more structured the internship, the more in advance the organization will hire. See below for some examples of recruiting timelines and target industries.
General Recruiting Timelines for Internships for Select Industries
8–10 months in advance (before and during fall term)
- Consulting Firms
- For-Profit Businesses
- Large Media Companies
- Financial Services
- International Organizations
- Federal Government
4–6 months in advance (winter term):
- Nonprofit Organizations
- Research Institutes
- Educational Institutions
- Arts Organizations
- Environmental Organizations
- State and Local Government