How to Land an Internship

Internships during college provide class credit and valuable experience that can bulk up your student's resume and land him a job after he graduates. Students who have taken a few classes in their field of interest - especially sophomores and juniors - should start looking for summer or semester internships, and parents can help guide them with the following tips:

Plan Ahead

Some internships are unpaid, so help your student decide if he can afford to take a summer internship and not a job. Another option is a semester internship that counts as class credit and requires a certain number of hours a week. Remember that an absent paycheck now could payoff in the future with real-world experience.

Talk to Professors

If your student has an academic advisor or favorite professor, he should start there. Local businesses have relationships with the university, and your student's professors might know of current internship opportunities. They can also help your student prepare a strong resume and application.

Contact Family and Friends

Networking will be an important tool in securing an internship. Give introductions to your student and any contacts you or other family members have with potential companies. Make sure you and your student are clear on what experience he wants, and then ask around and spread the word that he's looking.

Persevere

Applying for an internship is like applying for a full time job. Your student will need a polished resume and appropriate clothes for an interview. Rejection is also part of the process. While it might be discouraging, the more your student applies and learns from each experience, the stronger his application will be. Here's a hint: check out LinkedIn's list of the top overused words in resumes, and then make sure your student doesn't use them!

Get Creative

If your student isn't finding postings for relevant internships and no one has been able to point him toward opportunities, encourage him to create an opportunity of his own. With his ideal internship in mind, your student can research local small businesses and find people in the appropriate departments to contact. If he states his interest and a clear plan for what he can provide the company - keeping in mind that he'll also gain from the experience - and proposes that he join their team for an unpaid internship, it could be a win-win situation for everyone.