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When should I start to think about Internships?
I am a Freshman doing law in liberal arts major, I want to make my resume look better. What groups, clubs, and internships should I look to start? And when should I start? #Spring26
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Henley’s Answer
The biggest mistake students often make is waiting too long to get involved. Even though freshman year seems early, it's the perfect time to start. Leadership roles and competitive internships are often available to those who join organizations right from the start. The best resume is crafted by someone who begins building it in their first semester. You don't need a huge internship or leadership role right away; just find opportunities to grow your network and skills through your school or community. Start connecting with companies you're interested in so that by the fall of your sophomore year, you're ready to apply for those sought-after internships.
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Chantelle’s Answer
As someone who started their career through an internship, I can say first‑hand how valuable that experience was—not just for building skills, but for understanding how work really happens and where I wanted to grow. Internships provide real exposure, confidence, and relationships that often shape your first professional step, and research consistently shows they meaningfully improve early career outcomes. My advice to young professionals is to treat internships as a long‑term strategy, not a last‑minute application sprint. Start networking year‑round—conversations often open doors well before roles are posted and many opportunities come through relationships rather than listings. In terms of timing, winter is a smart moment to begin applying. Interviews and finding the right fit take time and starting early gives you space to be thoughtful rather than rushed.
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Ian’s Answer
Hi Kaylee,
Congratulations on reaching this point in your journey! When I was in college, I did an internship, and looking back, it was a great decision. It really set me on the path to where I am now.
I highly recommend finding an internship in a field you’re interested in for after graduation. This will help you network and connect with people in your industry. Plus, it gives you valuable experience and understanding of the role.
Be sure to check your school's career center—they usually have excellent resources for finding internships.
Wishing you all the best!
Ian
Congratulations on reaching this point in your journey! When I was in college, I did an internship, and looking back, it was a great decision. It really set me on the path to where I am now.
I highly recommend finding an internship in a field you’re interested in for after graduation. This will help you network and connect with people in your industry. Plus, it gives you valuable experience and understanding of the role.
Be sure to check your school's career center—they usually have excellent resources for finding internships.
Wishing you all the best!
Ian
Blythe Reynolds
Events Budgeting and Digital Transformation Analyst
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Blythe’s Answer
Internship experience is incredibly valuable, not just for building your resume, but for helping you figure out what you actually want to pursue after graduation. One of the most helpful things I did while searching for internships was conducting informational interviews. If you’re curious about a few different career paths, try connecting with people who are already in those roles. Tap into your family’s, friends’, and your own network to set up conversations.
If no one in your immediate circle works in the field you’re exploring, don’t hesitate to reach out to people on LinkedIn. A helpful tip: look for individuals who went to your college or share something in common with you. People are much more likely to respond when there’s a personal connection. It’s never too early to start networking, you truly never know what opportunities can come from a single conversation. For example, one informational interview I did in college led me to an entirely different internship than the one I originally had in mind, and it ended up being far more exciting and useful.
Clubs are another great way to explore your interests. Join one or two that align with the fields you’re curious about. If you’re interested in consulting, join a consulting club. You’ll meet like‑minded people, build a network you can leverage later on, and get a clearer sense of whether you actually enjoy the work.
It’s never too early to start networking or taking small steps toward your post‑grad goals, even if you’re still figuring out what those goals look like. Hope this helps :)
If no one in your immediate circle works in the field you’re exploring, don’t hesitate to reach out to people on LinkedIn. A helpful tip: look for individuals who went to your college or share something in common with you. People are much more likely to respond when there’s a personal connection. It’s never too early to start networking, you truly never know what opportunities can come from a single conversation. For example, one informational interview I did in college led me to an entirely different internship than the one I originally had in mind, and it ended up being far more exciting and useful.
Clubs are another great way to explore your interests. Join one or two that align with the fields you’re curious about. If you’re interested in consulting, join a consulting club. You’ll meet like‑minded people, build a network you can leverage later on, and get a clearer sense of whether you actually enjoy the work.
It’s never too early to start networking or taking small steps toward your post‑grad goals, even if you’re still figuring out what those goals look like. Hope this helps :)
Updated
Lewis’s Answer
Hi Kaylee,
I would suggest visiting your program advisor’s office and your college career office, as they may have connections or events that could interest you. In the past, I was able to network with employers when they came for campus visits. Also, make sure to add career fairs to your calendar so you can prepare ahead of time for those events.
I would suggest visiting your program advisor’s office and your college career office, as they may have connections or events that could interest you. In the past, I was able to network with employers when they came for campus visits. Also, make sure to add career fairs to your calendar so you can prepare ahead of time for those events.
Updated
Josh’s Answer
The question is not asked early enough and so kudos to you for doing so. I'd like to lay out a few tactical suggestions to get you started.
The question: When should I star to think about internships?
- 1st & 2nd year: Use this time to perfect your personal elevator pitch or impact statement. Craft at home and practice at career fairs. Use the career fairs to interview other companies. Your interviews should help you see what the corporate environment has to offer. By the time you are considered an upperclassmen, you should know what companies you might actually want to work for. Seek out local, family-owned companies or industry-related companies to provide summer help for a small pay.
- 3rd year: Land your first internship at the company/ industry you like most.
- 4th year: Land another internship at a different company or industry adjacent.
Sub-question: I am a Freshman doing law in liberal arts major, I want to make my resume look better. What groups, clubs, and internships should I look to start?
- This can go a variety of ways. Do you want to sharpen your knowledge about a specific area of law or liberal arts? Is there an opportunity to combine both? I would suggest looking at orgs who represent the type of work you want to do and get into those groups to be exposed to industry professionals, guest speakers, company tours, etc. If orgs don't exist in school, are there options out of school?
- If the actual job isn't available, look at companies who work with the type of industry or job you want. Example: I'm into ocean biology but live in Ohio (which is not near the ocean). Getting the exact job for ocean biology would be tough. But I am near Lake Erie. That's a possibility. Or I can look to get a job at a company like Trelleborg that works with in the marine industry and is nearby. I'm gaining that exposure in a different way.
Sub-question: And when should I start?
- Right now and you are doing it by asking questions.
Best of luck!
The question: When should I star to think about internships?
- 1st & 2nd year: Use this time to perfect your personal elevator pitch or impact statement. Craft at home and practice at career fairs. Use the career fairs to interview other companies. Your interviews should help you see what the corporate environment has to offer. By the time you are considered an upperclassmen, you should know what companies you might actually want to work for. Seek out local, family-owned companies or industry-related companies to provide summer help for a small pay.
- 3rd year: Land your first internship at the company/ industry you like most.
- 4th year: Land another internship at a different company or industry adjacent.
Sub-question: I am a Freshman doing law in liberal arts major, I want to make my resume look better. What groups, clubs, and internships should I look to start?
- This can go a variety of ways. Do you want to sharpen your knowledge about a specific area of law or liberal arts? Is there an opportunity to combine both? I would suggest looking at orgs who represent the type of work you want to do and get into those groups to be exposed to industry professionals, guest speakers, company tours, etc. If orgs don't exist in school, are there options out of school?
- If the actual job isn't available, look at companies who work with the type of industry or job you want. Example: I'm into ocean biology but live in Ohio (which is not near the ocean). Getting the exact job for ocean biology would be tough. But I am near Lake Erie. That's a possibility. Or I can look to get a job at a company like Trelleborg that works with in the marine industry and is nearby. I'm gaining that exposure in a different way.
Sub-question: And when should I start?
- Right now and you are doing it by asking questions.
Best of luck!