A Guide: How to Find Internships For College Students

By Kalli Kauffman (BA 27)

Do you ever feel stuck in the job market, struggling to find an internship that could offer you experience and pay? For many college students finding time and resources to locate an internship on top of classes, extracurriculars, and dorm life is difficult. Not only that, but these opportunities can feel sparse when you are competing against competent students. 

But don’t fret! Grace College offers you options. Let’s dive into tips that will help you succeed!

Take Advantage of Your Resources 

As you consider how to find internships for college, look at the variety of resources available to you. First, search online platforms. At Grace, students use the website Handshake to find job opportunities on campus, across the country, and internationally. Similar platforms such as LinkedIn and Indeed are also helpful in pursuing career opportunities. 

If you are wondering how to find internships for college students, it’s also important to leverage your connections to help you find a job. Building relationships is key in the workforce, especially when searching for an internship, and gaining job experience under a talented mentor is invaluable for building your skillset. 

Most colleges have a career center focused on assisting students in the job market. One of the benefits of Grace College is our Career Connections office, which helps students write cover letters or resumes, interview for jobs, and develop professionally.

Consider Location

Nothing is greater than home sweet home. Why go off campus when your college needs hard workers like you? Colleges provide internships with experiential learning opportunities across all departments. Work with your college career center to find open positions. They will connect you with supportive faculty and staff to find a position that fits your desired experience, whether working as an intern in a marketing office or a teacher’s assistant in a classroom. 

Don’t Wait Until Your Senior Year

Start pursuing internships as a freshman. According to Denise Terry, director of the Center for Career Connections at Grace College, starting early is vital in gaining the experience you’ll need in your field. If you want to stand out, you need to seek out job opportunities. 

Jaclyn Forshtay, Grace’s career success coordinator, says to think about what could benefit you once you’re in your future profession as you consider how to find internships for college. 

 “Be intentional,” said Forshtay. “And try to find an opportunity relevant to your future.”

Seek unique experiences and leadership roles. Volunteer in your local animal shelter. Wait tables on the side. Work as an RA. Collaborate with faculty as a student mentor. Attend your college’s career fairs and career discussion panels. 

Develop Your Skills

Keep in mind the variety of skill sets required in your field. When thinking about the question of why are internships important, ensure that they align with your desired professional experiences and expertise. The National Association of Colleges and Employers asserts that many employers desire employees who are collaborators, tech-savvy workers, effective communicators, and critical thinkers. Be strategic about developing these skill sets inside and outside the classroom to boost career success.

Prepare for Your Interviews

If you receive an invitation to interview with an employer, don’t panic! Think back to your past experiences. Research and anticipate the type of questions interviewers may ask you. 

“We always tell students that the best preparation for an interview is to prepare stories,” said Terry. “Stories that reflect the key skills they know that position will require.”

Your stories are unique and will reflect the qualities employers are looking for. 

Furthermore, bring your own tools! Update that resume. Provide a valuable recommendation letter. Use a notepad to make your own observations. Demonstrate or discuss successful past projects. And most of all, ask questions! Your questions will reflect genuine interest and make you stand out.

At Grace College, our Center for Career Connections helps students write cover letters or resumes, interview for jobs, and develop professionally. To learn more about how to find internships for college, click here.