5 Tips For Preparing For A Summer Internship

By Ashley Paskill on April 16, 2020

Summer internships are a popular way for students to spend their summers. Since many students do not have classes over the summer, this gives them some time to focus on advancing their careers by spending their time and energy on an internship. Preparing for a summer internship is a crucial way to ensure that you even get the internship of your dreams and helps you be successful.

Decide if a summer internship is right for you

While you may know that doing an internship is a great way to boost your resume, there may be things holding you back. You may need to work full-time in order to pay bills or to save up for the next school year. You may even opt to take some classes over the summer to graduate with the people you want to. An internship might not fit into your schedule, so you might decide to wait until fall or spring.

On the other hand, if you are choosing to not do an internship solely because you do not want to do anything over the summer, this is a poor use of time. Having an internship would be a great way to apply what you have learned in your classes to a real-world scenario while boosting your resume and possibly fulfilling school requirements. Over the summer, if you are not taking other classes, you have more flexibility in your schedule for when you can work.

Apply early

Waiting until the last minute to find a summer internship will leave you feeling disappointed. Many companies start looking for summer interns months before the spring semester ends. Even if the company is looking at the last minute, you will still need to get your resume, cover letter, and possible letters of recommendation ready for the application. Several students begin their summer internship search a year in advance so they have the experience and materials they need for the application.

Starting early will also help you save up money in case your internship is in a different part of the country. Saving up money as soon as possible allows you to have more options as to where you intern since you will not have to worry so much about cost. Even if you decide to stay local, you may have to opt out of taking a paid position as many internships are unpaid. Having money saved will help you cover transportation and living expenses you may have while interning.

Be organized

Use the time before applying to get your portfolio together. Whether that means having a list of accomplishments and leadership lists that spell out duties or a collection of projects you have worked on that are relevant to the position, your portfolio shows that you are capable and ready for the internship. If you do not have experience, use this as a chance to get some. Include your resume. The portfolio is a way to showcase who you are, so it needs to be professional.

Before submitting an application, double-check to make sure all of the information is accurate and that your grammar is perfect. Start early so that you can have a career counselor or other trustworthy person look it over.

Make sure you have the proper attire

Having professional attire is crucial for going to your internships as well as your internship interviews. If you have a video or in-person interview, you need to look professional in order to even get the internship. While you do not have to buy the most expensive outfits, opt for business casual. This is not necessarily a requirement for phone interviews, though looking nice and professional will give you the confidence you need to succeed.

When you get an internship, check with your supervisor about what the dress code is. If it is not clear by what is said, opt to wear something a little more dressed-up and see what others are wearing on the first day. Looking the part is super important. Even though you are an intern and may see yourself as not as essential as other employees, your work is important and you are contributing to the company.

Dressing nice over the summer can be tricky as you want to look professional without being too warm. Wearing thin fabrics can do the trick, even if you wear long sleeves. Some offices require closed-toe shoes, so avoid sandals.

Check to see if you can get school credit

Many colleges and universities require internships in order for students to graduate. Students may have to contact a specific faculty member to be sure that their internship would be eligible for school credit. Also, some internships offer a choice between being paid and getting college credit. If you have already fulfilled the college credit, you should still opt to take the internship as it is a great resume boost. Make sure you fill out any required paperwork for your school and do any assignments that you may have to do. Some colleges assign logs where you keep track of tasks you complete. You may have to have your immediate supervisor fill out a feedback form to assess your performance.

Having a summer internship is a huge deal and can propel you into your dream job, but there is prep work that needs to be done and things to be considered before you start so that you can be successful.

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