How to Prepare for an Internship

How to Prepare for an InternshipHow to Prepare for an InternshipAlthough you might have missed the deadline to apply for a fall internship, its not too early to start thinking about snagging an internship for the spring. If you dont have any experience, you can use this semester to beef up your resume so youll be a star candidate when applying.Research companiesIn 2015 were blessed with the almighty search tool Google- use it. Look up companies that youre interested in and find out everything you can about them. What types of internship programs do they offer? What qualities do they look for? What do current and past intern LinkedIn profiles look like? Follow the companys or employees social media pages and dont be scared to engage with them in a thoughtful manner. They might not engage back, but at least you will show an enthusiasm for the company and its work. By doing this, you can get a sense of the companys brand and if its what you really want out of an internship.Build up your experience without having to get a jobAfter youve researched the company and the types of internships it offers, youll know what skills to cultivate this semester. If its looking for leadership, you can join a student group youre passionate about and consider running for a position on its executive board. If it wants someone tech-savvy, you can learn how to build your own website or app from a number of online resources like CodeAcademy.com. Are you looking at a social media internship? Find ways to create an engaged following on your social media accounts.Reach out to your networkAs a college student your network is definitely bigger than you think. Take advantage of your colleges career center and reach out to your professors about possible internships. Also, see if your colleges alumni work at your target companies. It doesnt hurt to send alumni a thoughtful message expressing your interest in their company and requesting a quick phone chat or coffee date. Start earlyStarting re search on companies and their internship programs that youre interested in early will guarantee that you dont miss any deadlines and youll have a good sense of what to expect. Cultivating your skills now, like creating your own professional web page, will make your more attractive than another candidate who scrambled last minute to create one. If you reach out to your network now versus later, youll develop more meaningful relationships than someone who is desperate around internship application season. With a little bit of effort this fall semester, youll be able to snag the internship of your dreams next spring.