"Being an intern is like being invited to someone's house," the journalist and editor George Plimpton once wisely said. "You shouldn't put your feet up on the sofa."
So it goes in Internland, where the young and talented venture to gain experience in their fields, make professional contacts and juggle gallons of non-fat soy lattes, all in the name of avoiding future unemployment. Here are a few tips on building your resume effectively.
Start the search early
Many application deadlines for internships are now appearing in October and November, particularly in hyper-competitive fields like journalism. In Washington, D.C., alone, summer interns can swarm the capital in the tens of thousands, which signals the number of students who apply for positions nationwide.
To avoid a hasty late-April dash for summer employment, get your internship search started during the fall semester. Web sites like http://www.monster.com and other general job-search sites can give you an idea of where to start hunting, but resources at the Career Center, which can be best accessed with your own web account, are also worth a look. Paying attention to department bulletin boards can also be a plus, as they often have flyers for internship and research programs at their disposal.
Get your foot in the door -- any door
Not all internships are created equal. Some land you in environments where your skills are nurtured; others are "Devil Wears Prada"-esque pits of torment and Xeroxing. Most programs are somewhere in between.
But don't stress out if your first foray into the internship search doesn't land you a big-time spot at a top company or organization where you'll be doing loads of substantive work -- most prestigious internships, after all, go to older students who already have some experience. Begin by casting a wide net, and go for the internships that will give you the experience to grab the attention of more illustrious employers in the future.
Make unpaid internships worth your while
Working for no pay sounds like a shaky proposition, but unpaid interns often find themselves doing just that. But unpaid positions shouldn't be worthless. Make sure that the internship you sign up for will allow you to do something substantive, like a project with a deadline or the creation of a product, even if you won't be getting a paycheck.
Even if your responsibilities are more general, make yourself available to take on projects that will bear your name. That way, you can point to concrete achievements gained during an internship the next time you're at a job interview.
Network shamelessly
Getting to know people in your field is half the battle of internships, but yields most of the rewards. Having lots of contacts is an invaluable resource --- your former bosses and co-workers are often the ones who can point you to opportunities in the future or vouch for your abilities when you apply for your next position. Try not to lose touch with any co-workers you hit if off with, they may be able to help you out later. But don't give in to the temptation to suck up. Your work and, perhaps even more importantly, your attitude are what employers will remember.
Beyond internships
Despite all the lecturing about the importance of internships, don't be fooled into thinking that any position with the magical five-letter word attached to it is necessarily worthwhile, or that failing to snag a premiere internship dooms you to an unsuccessful life. Doing other interesting things with your free months -- going abroad, taking classes, mastering the sitar, collecting garbage -- can also help you in the long run. At least you'll have a fantastic conversation starter whenever a potential employer asks, "So what did you do last summer?"
