Finding your Internship

So how does one find a good internship and make the most of it? We go back to the theme of the blog. People willing to work harder and smarter will get it done.

Common wisdom holds that finding an internship has three paths. Path A: connections you have. Path B: connections your college has. Path C: internships that are open and advertised. Path A will almost guarantee you an internship. If you or your family know the an important person in an organization, then getting in the door is much easier.

Path B is great for finding companies that already have internship programs and are excited about having young people in their organizations. They know the value of intern labor and are open to offering experiences that the college deems appropriate. It’s one less hurdle you have to leap.

Path C is usually necessary if you are going to work with larger companies. Your IBM’s, Dell computers, Merrill Lynchs tend to have structured internship opportunities. Often you will compete for these experiences just as you would a regular job. This can be a valuable opportunity to test your interviewing skills, and, if you get in, experience working for a multi-national organization.

All of these paths will take you to an internship. But what if you don’t have personal connections? And the competition for B & C make it a challenge to get any internship, let alone one that will be specific to your career goals.

Fortunately, I can offer option D. Go get your own. Not through contacts, not through postings, but through your own ingenuity. You see, many people don’t know about internships, or they feel guilty exploiting free labor. But once they know that you are a willing participant in this system and that you will work hard, they warm up to the idea.

I have a friend who owns a magazine. He’s an entrepreneur with a small staff of photographers, writers, designers, and sales people. He’s always short handed. I told him that I thought an intern could be a great asset for him. At first he demurred that he couldn’t pay someone and would feel far too guilty to make someone work for free. When I explained all of the things that an intern would gain from being with his organization for a few months, he warmed to the idea and started interviewing. He now has two college students on his team at all times. They learn the publishing business and he gets extra hands he needs to make the company run.

So what can you do? Offer your services. For free.

You can start by writing a letter or email to a manager, owner, or other person who might be able to bring you on board. Your letter should address the person in a professional manner, without being overly familiar. You should mention who you are and what college you attend. You should explain your major, if it is relevant, and/or your interest in the field. You should define your expectations of the time commitment and what you will gain from the experience.

Then you sell it. You should explain why their organization is the one you have chosen. Be specific. Google them and learn about what they do, recent accomplishments, and why they are a great company.

Then make your ask. Be direct and define why you would be an asset. Remember, they don’t care what you want, they want someone who will work hard.

Close politely with contact information and an offer to contact them.

Here’s a sample letter:

Dear Mr. Sanchez:

I am a University of the Unemployed junior majoring in public relations. I am seeking an internship for the spring semester. I am hoping to work between 10 and 20 hours each week. I have always had an interest in public relations work, and am eagerly searching for a strong organization with which I can intern and get a fly-on the-wall view of how an operation works.

I learned about your organization and your work with the Cancer foundation’s gala and was very impressed by the unique promotional strategies used to further the event. I believe I could learn a lot from your team and am writing to offer my services as an unpaid intern. I am professional, energetic, and reliable, and I feel I could be an asset to you. I have attached a copy of my resume for your review.

I will contact you this week by phone (or email). If you need to contact me in the meantime, you can reach me at (555) 555-1234 or anthony.williams@unemployedu.edu.

Sincerely,

Anthony Williams


Follow up with a phone call to the person to whom the letter was addressed restating your case.

Change the letter to Dr. Sanchez and talk about your interest in interning in a plastic surgeon’s office or to Senator Bob’s chief of staff and offer your services in helping constituents.

Lesson: In the end, the people who get what they want are the ones who ask for it.