Summer internships are short-term experiences that provide a real insight into what it is actually like working in a specific job or career that you are interested in. The time period of summer internships begin in late May or early June and last up until August. Some internships are paid and others or not, it just varies on the companies that you apply for. Internships provide students with the opportunity to gain relevant knowledge and skills required in the field that they may potentially want to go into, gain more networks, and also build their resume. Being able to gain experiences through internships and making professional contacts are good tools for getting a job right after graduating college.
Make a List: This can help you organize and figure out what you want to do. It helps you highlight your interest and focus on what you want to learn. Take note of a few companies that you would like to work for and jot down some key points to your search such as (1)What town or area the company is located in?, (2) Is the position paid?, (3) Is this a full time or part time position?, etc. By making a list and comparing your search, you can narrow down your choices.
Do Research: It is good to start off by looking into big companies that are around the area that you intend to stay during the summer. A lot of the times, big corporations have internship programs available to students during the summer months. Do your research so you have a general overview about these companies, their mission and goals, and how you can benefit their organization.
Creativity: You can do more than to be stuck in the office all summer filing paper work. Look into internships within museums, art galleries, nature centers, etc. Branch out and find ways to broaden your creative skills by looking into different internship possibilities.
Make sure you stick with it: Once you have narrowed down your search and found a few places that spark your interest, ask yourself if you see yourself interning at this company, are able to have sufficient transportation necessary, and/or a place to stay, etc.
Resume ready: While applying to these internship positions, make sure that you update and double-check your resume before sending it in to the recruiter. UC Merced Career Services offers students individual resume guidance in accordance with their desired major and career route. Call us at (209) 228-7272 to schedule an appointment.
Spread your networks: Networking with people can help you build professional relationships. Having a large network pool can be beneficial in your internship search and offer you future internships/jobs that may not be listed on the company website.
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| Laura Li STEM Career Consultant Career Services Center |
