How to Land a Last-Minute Summer Internship
Students often start (and end) their internship search by creating a resume and LinkedIn/Handshake profile and sending out dozens—or even hundreds—of applications. This is extremely time-consuming!
There are several problems with this approach:
Thousands of college students are going after the same few internships posted, so it’s a low-percentage strategy
Many large company internships have application deadlines in the fall for the upcoming summer, so starting late puts students at a disadvantage
If your resume is not formatted correctly for an applicant tracking system, it may not even be getting read
You may never even hear back from the companies you apply to, which can be demoralizing and frustrating
We encourage students to take a different approach to finding an internship. In a word:
Networking.
Did your blood pressure rise just reading that word? You’re not alone! But stick with us, and we promise it’ll be worth it because research shows that 85% of jobs are filled through networking!
What is Networking?
Many students think of networking as an awkward, shallow, transaction-based interaction at a large event where you are only trying to “get” something from the other person.
But that is not what effective networking is.
Think of “networking” as a fancy name for authentically connecting with people and building relationships. It's engaging with people not only to learn from them but also to give back as well. It’s also one of the best ways to tap into the hidden job market!
Informational Interviews
One of the best ways to begin networking and start building relationships is through informational interviews. An informational interview is simply a conversation with someone working in a field or company you're curious about, where you can ask questions about their career path, current role, and industry. These conversations may not lead to an internship directly, but they can provide valuable insights and may lead to an internship - or even a shadowing experience - indirectly through the people you meet!
Starting with family, friends, and parents of friends is the best way to build confidence and start making connections. Practice your outreach and informational interviewing skills with people you're comfortable with, then branch out to other contacts. As you talk to more people, you'll get better at articulating your interests and goals, and you never know who might be able to help connect you with someone who might know of (or even create) an opportunity for you!
The key is to have conversations with as many people as possible. Don't be afraid to reach out to friends of your parents, your friends' parents, alumni from your high school and college, or even people you find on LinkedIn who have your dream job. Connecting with people is crucial to finding “hidden” internship opportunities, especially last-minute ones that may not be widely advertised.
For more information and examples of questions to ask someone during an informational interview, download our Guide to Informational Interviewing.
How to Pitch an Internship That Doesn’t Yet Exist
During an informational interview, if the conversation is going well and you feel a genuine connection, consider pitching yourself for an internship opportunity. Toward the end of the conversation, express your enthusiasm for the company and the work they do. Share how you think you could contribute based on your skills and experiences, and ask if they might be open to discussing the possibility of an internship, either now or in the future.
Be specific about what you could offer and be open to their feedback. If they don't have anything available, thank them for their time and stay in touch - you never know what opportunities may arise later. Remember, the informational interview itself is valuable for building your network and knowledge, so don't put too much pressure on securing an immediate internship. But you’d be surprised at how many organizations just haven’t considered having an intern but would be open to it if you propose it
Proactivity is Critical
Many students are hesitant to reach out to people in fields they're interested in, but we can't say this enough—it is a normal part of the professional world! You have to be brave and not take it personally if someone doesn't respond. Everyone started somewhere and most people are happy to share their experiences and advice with students. One day you’ll be the professional that a student is reaching out to, asking to talk about your experience!