Applying for an internship can feel a little intimidating, especially if you have never done it before. I recently went through the process of finding an internship for next semester, and I realized that it is not as complicated as I thought it would be. You just have to be prepared, professional, and willing to put yourself out there.
The first step is figuring out what kind of internship you want. I knew I needed an internship for one of my classes next semester, but I also wanted it to be something that would help me with my future career. Since I plan on going to occupational therapy school and becoming an occupational therapist, I wanted to find an internship related to that field. This not only allows you to learn more about a career you are interested in, but it also allows you to gain experience and develop skills that can be valuable when applying for future opportunities.
Knowing what career, you are interested in can make it easier to find an internship that will actually be helpful for your future. But if you do not know exactly what direction you want to go, do not worry! An internship can also be a great opportunity to explore fields you are interested in and help you narrow down your options.
After I figured out what I wanted, I reached out to a place I was interested in. I decided to email them instead of waiting for an opportunity to come to me. In the email, I introduced myself, explained who I was, and shared why I was interested in completing an internship with them. I also explained that I would prefer to intern under an occupational therapist because that is the career I plan to pursue.
I think being clear about what you want is important because it shows that you have thought about your future and are serious about gaining experience. However, before reaching out, it is also a good idea to check the organization’s website to see if they have a formal internship application process or specific requirements.
Another really important part of applying for an internship is having an updated resume. Before I reached out, I made sure my resume was updated and ready to send. This helped a lot because all I had to do was attach it to the email I ended up sending.
Your resume is one of the first things a potential internship site may see, so you want to make sure it is accurate, professional, and represents you well. Be sure to highlight your education, work experience, volunteer experience, leadership involvement, and skills that are relevant to the opportunity. You should also include accurate contact information, such as your phone number and professional email address. Before sending your resume, take a few minutes to proofread it for spelling, grammar, and formatting.
When reaching out to an organization, remember that your email is also part of your application. Use a professional email address, have a clear subject line, introduce yourself, explain why you are contacting them, and proofread your message before sending it. If you do not receive a response, do not be afraid to follow up with a polite email after a reasonable amount of time.
Overall, my biggest piece of advice is to not be afraid to reach out. You will not know if an organization has internship opportunities unless you ask or look into its application process. Introducing yourself, explaining why you are interested, sending an updated resume, and communicating professionally can make a big difference.
My experience showed me that sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith and open the door to new opportunities. You never know where one email or one conversation could lead you. An internship is a great way to gain experience, learn more about your future career, build professional connections, and prepare for your next step after college.
Ambree Collinsworth
Ambree Collinsworth is a senior exercise science major at SAU. She is currently a President’s Ambassador, Career Services Student Worker, member of the Track and Field team, and a member of Phi Mu.
