APPLYING TO INTERNSHIPS
The Do’s and Don’ts
By Zach Murray
The eternal struggle for many college students comes once Spring semester begins: internships. Finding them, applying, and (hopefully) getting one. We are constantly reminded of the importance of internships, but we don’t get much more information than that. So, here is a guide on applying to, and landing, an internship for the summer.
1. Do cast a wide net
There are hundreds of internships listed on different websites every day, fitting any niche you might have. Whether you’re interested in interning in the medical field, PR, or anything in between, looking online to find them is your best bet. Don’t just stop there, though, but apply to any that look interesting. Finding an internship can be competitive, but it only takes one yes to land you that experience, so casting a wide net will only help you.
2. Don’t procrastinate
No one is on top of things 100% of the time, but searching for an internship is a task that should be a priority. Internships can fill fast, so apply early. Plus, the sooner you apply, the sooner you hear back, and (hopefully) land one that you can be excited for.
3. Do reach out to your connections
Not every internship obtained was earned based on pure luck, as there are many cases where you get one through connections. Reach out to any professors or professionals you know in the Boston area, and see if they know of anyone hiring. Utilizing your connections can take a lot of the headache out of applying to internships, and could get you an opportunity you wouldn’t have found elsewhere.
4. Don’t compare your internship search
They say comparison is the thief of joy, and this could not be more true, especially when it comes to searching for internships. Everyone is on a different track, and if one of your friends gets an internship earlier than you, don’t get discouraged in the process. If you put in the work to find an internship, you will be able to get one. So, don’t compare yourself to others, because all that’s going to do is bring you down.
5. Do make use of BU’s resources
Boston University has a wide variety of resources when it comes to finding/applying to internships, and you should use as many as will be helpful to you. Websites such as Handshake update with new internships constantly, and will be your best friend. Going back to reaching out to connections, utilize your professors, and ask them about the resources BU has to offer.
The process of finding an internship can be daunting, but is not impossible. If you put in the work, you can find a great internship. It is all about making use of the resources you have, not being too picky in the search, and applying to anything you might be interested in. So, good luck to all, and happy internship hunting!