4 Easy Steps To Find The Right Internship For You (In 2025)
Are you wondering how to find the right internship for you?
Experience is key in today’s job market, but how do you gain it when every job requires it? Many recent graduates face this challenge, struggling to break into their chosen careers.
But there is a way to gain pertinent knowledge and hands-on experience before you even start looking for work.
According to Forbes, interns are 25% more likely than their counterparts to start full time positions within 6 months of graduation. In today’s face paced world this could mean starting out career right vs taking years to get to where you want.
Internships provide the opportunity to build professional networks, refine your skills, and gain valuable insights into your chosen field, giving you a competitive edge. By starting early and taking advantage of internship opportunities, you can set yourself up for long-term career success.
Ready to get started? Let’s go!
What Do I Need To Know?
The first step is to verify your degree requirements. Ensure the internship aligns with your curriculum, credit needs, and any specific course prerequisites required to count toward your degree. Before committing, confirm your school approves the internship, as many colleges mandate internships within your field of study. Additionally, some programs require a minimum GPA before starting an internship.
Adhering to these guidelines is crucial for meeting graduation requirements. To avoid any missteps, consult your college counselor to verify the internship qualifies for the proper credit needed to graduate.
What are employers expecting, and what are they looking for?
Many employers are looking for relevant professional work experience after graduation. A job or internship displays your commitment to working hard while balancing school and a work schedule. Students develop leadership, communication, time management, strategic thinking skills, and professionalism from real-life situations within a work environment.
When should I start looking for a internship?
Starting early is key to success. As you review your degree requirements, pay close attention to internship opportunities and collaborate with your college counselor for guidance. This proactive approach will save you time and effort, allowing you to better plan your schedule, set clear goals, and align your steps with your career aspirations. Begin by asking yourself these essential questions to shape your preparation and ensure you’re on the right track:
- Do I need to meet specific degree requirements?
- What skills do I want to learn?
- Will this help me advance in my career?
- How much time do I want to devote to working at my internship?
With these answers in mind, you can start planning, scheduling, looking, and ultimately applying, knowing how you want to navigate your road to success in entering your dream career. =
Work vs Internship
Before deciding to work and save money instead of “wasting” time doing an internship, take a moment and weigh the benefits of both. Seeing the benefits side by side can make all the difference in how you perceive the time committed to an internship.
Work Benefits:
Working can provide compensation, job security, professional development, and workplace benefits. These will help you sustain yourself while you complete your studies and provide long-term employment. With that said, work may not align with your future career, and may not help you build the necessary skill set to get you where you want to go.
Internship Benefits:
When you go with an internship, you are fine-tuning your time and efforts towards your career. You’ll be introduced to various roles within the industry, networking opportunities, and a high focus on mentorship and guidance for career growth. You can also explore other positions or draw inspiration for a major—all of which are hyper focused on your interests.
What if moneys is a concern?
Making money doesn’t have to stand in your way of committing to your career goals. Starting early with your research and internship process will keep you from missing out on opportunities for paid internships or finding one that fits your current work schedule. Keep in mind internships do not have to be in-person, and you may gain experience by doing so virtually when it’s most convenient for you.
How do I find the right internship for me?
- Scope Out The Options: Select a field or department that aligns with your career goals, be open to other fields aside your own. For example, future marketers can learn much from a product management internship and vice versa. This can also give you extra consideration with future employers or even open up more opportunities within a company or industry while still pursuing your career.
- Research potential companies: Start by researching companies in your chosen field to get connected and find the best fit. Not all internships are equal; you want one that will give you valuable experience. Understand that “research” means more than looking over the website. Take time to see if the company has been in the news, what its history is, how its culture works, etc.
- Attend Job Fairs: College Job Fairs are a great place to speak with companies that probably won’t see your resume otherwise. Research the organizations you plan to approach and treat every introduction like an interview by looking the part and speaking professionally. Online job fairs and events are also a great way to get face time with professionals who can give you insight on how to proceed.
- Think Outside the Box: Finding an internship that fits you may require a little creativity. Places like LinkedIn, Volunteermatch.org, and Indeed are great places to find organizations in need of help who can turn volunteer hours into internship opportunities. And never forget to work your local connections, from mom and pop companies to family who may own business that align with your goals- either of these can provide just the place you are looking for.
Why are internships important?
- Experience: The experience gained from an internship can’t be compared to what you learn in a classroom or on the job training. An internship can teach you field specific skills, expand your professional network, inspire new career choices, and connect you with experienced people who can mentor you.
- Finances: Studies have shown that people who choose an internship make more than those who don’t; several factors contribute to this. An internship will boost your resume, giving you a significant advantage over other applicants. It may allow you to work sooner than those without one, and give you a 6% higher wage once hired.
- Long-Term Success: Internships play a critical role in bridging the gap between education and employment. They provide real-world experience, help translate academic knowledge into practical skills, and foster professional connections. By preparing candidates for workplace demands, internships increase job prospects, boost earning potential, and lay the foundation for long-term career success.
The Best Is Yet To Come
An internship can genuinely transform your career path, offering knowledge, support, and a clear sense of direction. It’s a chance to grow and learn without the pressure of knowing everything—employers understand this and are willing to offer internships. Applying early shows initiative and gives you time to explore the best opportunities for your future.
Let’s be honest: juggling bills while pursuing a dream isn’t easy. Feeling frustrated or defeated is normal when goals seem just out of reach. Still, don’t lose heart. Every small step brings you closer to your career aspirations.
Consider an internship an investment in yourself—a bridge between where you are and where you want to be. Keep going. You’re not alone on this journey. With persistence and belief in your abilities, your hard work will pay off. Hang in there—the best is yet to come.
If this article has inspired you, please subscribe to our newsletter to be alerted when the next piece is released. You can also support the continued creation of this content by making a tax-deductible donation.
