Oh, the summer; the time to forget about B-level, Uni-Mini, and that hot TA you had a crush on all semester. It's finally time to go to the beach (one with actual sand that is), watch TV, and drink lemonade. But wait, scratch that. We are still talking about Hopkins, and students are finding great jobs and internships instead of catching some rays. So how did they get there? And more importantly, how do I land the perfect internship?
First, check out the Career Center. Their resources provide helpful tips on how to write a resume and cover-letter. If you have specific questions or simply don't know where you want to intern, make an appointment to meet with one of the advisors.
"The weekly e-mails were very helpful when trying to narrow down internship opportunities and reminded me when certain companies would be on campus," sophomore Jill Seidman said.
The appointments at the Career Center full up quickly, so get a jump-start and take a trip there.
Another useful source is the ever-trusting Internet. A few reliable Web sites, such as http://www.flipdog.com, http://www.hotjobs.com, or http://www.monster.com, can match your interests and skills to companies seeking interns. All you have to do is enter in information about yourself, post your resume, and wait for companies to e-mail you back. Sometimes this can take a long amount of time, depending on when companies refer to these websites in order to hire interns.
"I posted my resume on monster.com last semester, and ended up getting an internship at a non-profit environmental organization in D.C. for the summer. I was shocked how quickly they got back to me and how much I enjoyed working in D.C," said sophomore Paige Armstrong.
You also can check out and read up on your favorite companies online (like MTV, ESPN, clothing designers, etc.) and see if they're looking for interns. All companies have a Web site and e-mail directories, so send your resumes and cover letters to them. If you know the specific company or business you are interested in, it can speed up the process and eliminate hours of pointless searching and sending.
If all else fails, follow the words of sophomore Daniel Eagan: "Connections, connections connections." It couldn't hurt to ask mom or dad if they know anyone who could potentially get their son or daughter an internship, right? Well, why not try. Finding an internship is a very competitive process, especially at Hopkins, where the majority of students want to intern in order to gain future experience. If a family member or friend is willing to help you, don't hesitate take advantage of it.
Internships are a great way to find out what field of work you are interested in and are helpful in achieving more knowledge about a certain area of work. Whether getting a paid internship or receiving school credit, the majority of students end up with a learning experience that can't be achieved any other way.
Relaxing on the beach all summer is great, but it couldn't hurt to gain one more step toward a career path. Be persistent; e-mail the business you're interested in, go to the Career Center; even ask your parents for help. This may make your future plans a little easier to achieve, so be a little self-motivating and start contacting people. It's never too early to plan ahead.
