3 answers
Taya
Student
Wooster, Ohio
1
Question
Updated
138 views
How do you talk to people about possibly interning over the summer?
How do you get the contact information to even start talking to the people and what do you say when you get to talk to them
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3 answers
Karen Kitchel
Community Volunteer
467
Answers
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Great that you're interested in getting an internship! You might first start thinking about what careers you would like to explore in the future. Then ask your family, relatives, friends and neighbors if they know of anyone working in those areas. Simply ask if it would be ok to contact them to learn more about what they are doing with hopes of finding an internship in the future.
Let others do most of the talking. Just be prepared with a few simple questions such as "what do you like about the organization, your job, etc." Ask them for their suggestions on other places and people to contact.
With every good wish and many blessings,
Karen
Let others do most of the talking. Just be prepared with a few simple questions such as "what do you like about the organization, your job, etc." Ask them for their suggestions on other places and people to contact.
With every good wish and many blessings,
Karen
Chloe Mathewson
Management Consultant, Payment and Lending Operations
4
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Chloe’s Answer
Hi Taya! Great question--I had the same one in college.
The best way to start would be personal contacts. Do your parents have friends in the industry you are interested in? Do your friends have parents in the industry you are interested in? Other relatives?
Once you have exhausted your personal contacts, I would reach out to professors that you have had so far. They are often amazing resources with huge networks. Additionally, many schools have career centers. Reach out to yours to see if they have any alumni or companies they can connect you to.
Finally, you can try reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. This method can get a bit discouraging, as some people will not reply. Don't take it personally--not everyone checks LinkedIn, and they may get a lot of requests to speak with eager students like yourself. I would recommend only reaching out to people that you have some sort of a connection to--maybe they went to the same high school or college as you or are from the same hometown. Small connections like this can make all the difference in securing a response.
Don't be afraid to just cold apply to internships that you are interested in on LinkedIn, Indeed, or your college's job board. You never know if you might get a reply.
Best of luck!
Chloe
The best way to start would be personal contacts. Do your parents have friends in the industry you are interested in? Do your friends have parents in the industry you are interested in? Other relatives?
Once you have exhausted your personal contacts, I would reach out to professors that you have had so far. They are often amazing resources with huge networks. Additionally, many schools have career centers. Reach out to yours to see if they have any alumni or companies they can connect you to.
Finally, you can try reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. This method can get a bit discouraging, as some people will not reply. Don't take it personally--not everyone checks LinkedIn, and they may get a lot of requests to speak with eager students like yourself. I would recommend only reaching out to people that you have some sort of a connection to--maybe they went to the same high school or college as you or are from the same hometown. Small connections like this can make all the difference in securing a response.
Don't be afraid to just cold apply to internships that you are interested in on LinkedIn, Indeed, or your college's job board. You never know if you might get a reply.
Best of luck!
Chloe
Ashton Owens
Tax Consultant
2
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Ashton’s Answer
Hi Taya! This is a great question. Is is amazing that you are interested in finding an internship. Internships are such great opportunities to increase your experience and grow your professional skill set.
If you’re currently a college student and interested in interning over the summer, one of the best first steps is to connect with your college’s career center. Career centers often have established relationships with alumni, local businesses, and employers who are actively looking for students like you. They can be a great resource for learning about internship opportunities, making introductions, and helping you figure out how to approach potential contacts professionally.
In addition to the career center, try to use a few different ways to build connections. You can reach out by email, connect with people on LinkedIn, and attend career fairs or networking events hosted by your school. These are all useful ways to get your name in front of potential employers and start conversations. If you’re unsure how to begin, the career center can often help you identify the right people to contact and even guide you on what to say.
When you do start talking to someone, keep your message simple, respectful, and genuine. Introduce yourself, mention that you’re a student at the school that you attend, and explain that you’re interested in learning more about internship opportunities in their field or company. You don’t need to ask for a job right away. Instead, focus on starting a conversation, asking thoughtful questions, and showing interest in their experience.
The key is to be proactive, professional, and prepared. Most people are willing to help when someone reaches out thoughtfully, especially if you show curiosity and respect for their time. The more you practice these conversations, the more natural they become. What matters most is taking the first step and working on building relationships early.
Good luck on your journey!
If you’re currently a college student and interested in interning over the summer, one of the best first steps is to connect with your college’s career center. Career centers often have established relationships with alumni, local businesses, and employers who are actively looking for students like you. They can be a great resource for learning about internship opportunities, making introductions, and helping you figure out how to approach potential contacts professionally.
In addition to the career center, try to use a few different ways to build connections. You can reach out by email, connect with people on LinkedIn, and attend career fairs or networking events hosted by your school. These are all useful ways to get your name in front of potential employers and start conversations. If you’re unsure how to begin, the career center can often help you identify the right people to contact and even guide you on what to say.
When you do start talking to someone, keep your message simple, respectful, and genuine. Introduce yourself, mention that you’re a student at the school that you attend, and explain that you’re interested in learning more about internship opportunities in their field or company. You don’t need to ask for a job right away. Instead, focus on starting a conversation, asking thoughtful questions, and showing interest in their experience.
The key is to be proactive, professional, and prepared. Most people are willing to help when someone reaches out thoughtfully, especially if you show curiosity and respect for their time. The more you practice these conversations, the more natural they become. What matters most is taking the first step and working on building relationships early.
Good luck on your journey!