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How to Find an Internship

WHAT IS AN INTERNSHIP?
The best internships are supervised on-the-job learning experiences related to a career interest. Interns usually have a designated set of responsibilities or a job description and are actively supported by a supervisor or mentor. A solid internship provides the opportunity to learn about the field while allowing the intern to make a contribution to the organization's work. Internships may or may not be paid experiences.

ASSESS YOUR INTERESTS & NEEDS
Some questions for you to consider as you begin your search process:

• When and where do you want your internship to take place?
  
• What type of work would you like to do?
  
• What do you hope to gain from the experience?
  
• What types of skills do you possess? What are you good at?
  
• What are your strengths, and how can they apply to an internship experience?
  
• What type of skills would you like to develop?
  
• What population, issue, or product would you like to work with?
  
• Do you need a paid internship or can you take part in an unpaid experience?
  
• How many hours a week do you want to work?
  
• If you're working during the academic year, which hours can you work?
  
• What modes of transportation do you have available to you?

RESEARCH YOUR OPTIONS
Check both on-line and print resources. Ask fellow students, faculty, friends, and family. Generate a list of internship options that initially meet your needs, interests, and timeline. Then research each listed option in detail. Read everything available on-line, then contact the organization to ask further questions. See if you can contact a previous intern to assess your fit for the particular opportunity. A good place to start your research is with some of the directories and web sites on this handout.

INTERNSHIP DIRECTORIES IN THE CAREER CENTER LIBRARY

Backdoor Guide to Short-Term Job Adventures, 2005
Criminal Justice Internships Theory into Practice 2001
Internships in International Affairs, 2004
Internships w/ America's Social & Community Service Agencies, 2004
Princeton Review Internship Bible, 2005
Human Rights Internship Book, 2004
Women's Rights Internship Book, 2005
Peterson's Internships, 2004
Vault Top Internships, 2005

WEB INTERNSHIP RESOURCES

• Explore with a general web search. Key-in a phrase such as "sociology internship" or "social science internship" on a search engine such as metacrawler.com
  
• For internship listings related to your major, begin with the HSU Career Center home page at humboldt.edu/~career. Go to "Career Links", then search by your major.
  
• General internship databases cover a wide range of interest areas. Here are just a few to start your search:
  
  • internships-usa.com/
    Internship Series Online site provides information on over 2,800 organizations offering internships and summer jobs for students. Click on the link that says `The Internship Series on Line`. At the prompt enter the following: user name is "work", password is "learn"
    
  • monstertrak.com
    MonsterTrak - the HSU Career Center (with other universities) lists internships Registration is required. To see everything we've listed, keyword is "humintern"
    
  • wetfeet.internshipprograms.com/
    Search by location (city, state) and industry. Also try category called "arts & humanities". Includes international internships and country profiles with cultural advice.
    
  • idealist.org
    Check this site for internships, jobs, and volunteer opportunities. 51,000 non-profit organizations worldwide inhabit this amazing site. Also check "One Year Service Opportunities in the U.S." as well as "Organizations that Help You Volunteer Abroad" under "Career Center" on left column of home page.
    
  • vault.com
    Locate the Vault Job Board, scroll down to Other Targeted Job Boards to find internship listings.
    
  • princetonreview.com/cte/search/internshipAdvSearch.asp
    Princeton Review
    
  • rsinternships.com
    Rising Star Internships
    
  • cie.uci.edu/iop/internsh.html
    University of California, Irvine - internships abroad
    
  • http://lewis.up.edu/car/jobdatabase/search.asp
    University of Portland website - links entered by employers and career center staff
    
  • indeed.com
    Key in "internship" under "what". Indeed.com includes listings from major job boards, newspapers, associations and company career pages
    

  APPLY & FOLLOW UP Tailor your resume and cover letter towards your internship interest area. If at all possible, seek out a contact at the organization before you even apply so you will be able to better focus your cover letter. Practice interviewing skills as you may be asked for an interview in person or over the phone. Send thank you letters within 24 hours of the interview. Always inquire about the hiring timeline so you can follow up.

  DON'T LIMIT YOUR SEARCH TO WHAT YOU SEE IN PRINT OR ON-LINE
  Many organizations offer internship experience but do not post them on internship web sites or in directories. Explore organizations that interest you, check their websites for internship information or contact them to inquire about possibilities. You may be able to work with an organization to create an internship opportunity that matches your interest with their needs.

  INTERNSHIP SEARCH ASSISTANCE
  If you would like assistance as you explore, select and apply for internships, let your Career Center help. From listening to your thoughts, brainstorming internship ideas, suggesting resources you hadn't thought of before, to resume and application help, we want to support your search. Just ask! Appointments that fit in to your schedule are available with Rebecca Anderson, Career Counselor for majors in the School of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences and Psychology. Call 826.3341 or stop by NHW 130.