FollowWith only a couple of months left to go in this semester, thoughts about summer plans come to mind. Summer break takes place from mid-May till the end of August, giving us plenty of time to take part in a relatively long-term activity. This summer plan can take multiple forms, ranging from a big Europe trip with friends to summer courses at Berkeley. However, one particular activity that I would like to greatly emphasize and recommend to students is a summer internship opportunity.
I personally believe that internship opportunities are extremely enriching experiences for students. Some benefits that students are able to attain through these experiences are an opportunity to apply knowledge learned at school to a real-life setting, gain valuable work experience, receive a more concrete idea of whether you are going in the right direction, develop and build on a wide range of skill sets, build a network, meet new people with similar interests, etc. Internships teach students different skills than those taught at school. Summer break serves to be an ideal time to take part in an internship program because students are often too busy to find time to squeeze an internship into their busy schedules during the school year.
In hopes that students will take part in this option as a summer plan, here are a few pointers for summer internship searching.
Brainstorm Your Goals
The process of finding the right internship begins with brainstorming your goals and figuring out what you want to gain from this experience. Some factors to consider are the fields you would like to further learn about, whether you would like a paid or unpaid internship, which location you prefer to work in, and what kind of skills you want to specifically learn and further develop. You must have this step down before proceeding onto other steps because if a clear goal is not established, you can bet on this process of finding the perfect match to take infinitely longer.
Spread the Word
It is crucial that you let your friends and family know that you are looking for an internship. Your friends and family are a part of your network and are a fabulous resource! Friends and family also have a good idea of your personal preferences and interests, and thus may help direct you towards your perfect match.
Prepare a Resume & Cover Letter
When preparing for internships, resumes and cover letters are required at all times. Some organizations may require additional information and materials, but a resume and cover letter are the most essential components in applying for an internship. As you research potential internship positions, try to work on creating or solidifying your resume as well.
Cal Career Center
The Cal Career Center is a great place to start looking for summer internships. If you log into Callisto with your CalNet ID, there is an “advanced search” area where you can specify your interests. Postings are updated on a daily basis, so even if you don’t find a match on your first try, do not be discouraged!
Do Not Limit Yourself
When searching for internships, you may actually find it to be extremely difficult to find openings for freshman and sophomore students. Many organizations usually seek upperclassmen undergraduate students or graduate students for their internship positions. However, do not let this stop you from applying to a place that you are really interested in. As long as you meet the qualifications of the position description, then you should go ahead and apply. I am also convinced that if you express your enthusiasm, then the organization will be willing to make exceptions for an avid candidate.
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