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What is the best way to look for internships or volunteer work?

#internship #volunteer #job-application

+25 Karma if successful
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Subject: Career question for you

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Doc’s Answer

Haelyn If you are looking for an internship, there are some websites that list a variety of options, while others focus more on a specific career choice or area of interest.

5 BEST WEBSITES TO APPLY FOR INTERNSHIPS ONLINE

These opportunities run the gamut from summer, fall, winter, spring internships to ongoing internships. Not all sites listed below are ideal for all career fields or locations, so it's important to take the time to review each site and see if it caters to the kinds of opportunities you're looking for Haelyn.

1. INTERNSHIPS.COM • https://www.internships.com
This website is so much more than just a comprehensive internship search engine. This site allows you to search for opportunities by major, job category, preferred city, and company, and provides additional resources as well. These resources, like internship basics, an intern stories blog, and tips for better interviews all keep you in the loop so that you’re ready for anything an internship may throw at you. Be sure to check out the Internship Predictor®, a tool that uses your personal preferences and personality to help you find current opportunities that will be the best fit for you!

2. INTERNMATCH.COM • https://www.wayup.com
InternMatch features a blog and forum where you can ask for help on your application or just complain about your internship with complete strangers around the country, which is always fun. Along with an easy search option that narrows down internships based on your location and interests, this website lets you search for entry-level jobs, which come in handy for when you graduate.

3. IDEALIST.COM • https://www.idealist.org
Consider making an account for this one because they update the site often and you don’t want to miss out on any opportunities to make the world a better place, right? If you know that you want to intern for a nonprofit organization, this is the perfect website for you. Their tagline is “we connect idealists with opportunities for action” which is exactly what it does–finally some truth in advertising. You can easily search for internships based on area of focus or spoken language, whether they’re paid or unpaid.

4. YOURTURN.COM • https://www.youtern.com
YouTern tries to mentor and connect would-be interns using social media tools like Twitter. Internship seekers fill out a profile and interact with mentors. Founder Mark Babbitt says he has relationships with recruiters at 100 companies and personally refers appropriate candidates. But internship seekers need to interact with the site before they get referred to jobs. YouTern also includes a jobs board powered by aggregator SimplyHired.

5. USAJOBS.COM • https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/students/
The Internship Program is for current students. If you’re a current student in high school, college, trade school or other qualifying educational institution, you may be eligible. This program offers paid opportunities to work in federal agencies and explore federal careers while completing your education.

Hope this was Helpful Haelyn
Thank you comment icon Thank You Melisa. “Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain loving one another.” – Erma Bombeck Doc Frick
Thank you comment icon Great quote. Thanks for sharing John. And you offer great advice and very thoughtful answers for others. It's clear you have a passion for helping others succeed. Have a great week. Melisa Cameron
Thank you comment icon Thank You Aun for your Continued Support. Life doesn't provide warranties and guarantees, it only provides possibilities and opportunities for those who dare to make best use of it. Doc Frick
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Ricardo’s Answer

Hi Haelyn,

It is great that you are trying to reach out and help out your local community. Before getting into my advise remember to always do your research about the company and organization you want to volunteer and intern for. This can make the questions more unique and shows that you care about the work you want to do.

When looking for volunteer opportunities I recommend calling/emailing places such as your local zoo or foodbank to see if they need help. In my officer position at a marine science club at the University of Arizona, this was the prime way that we were able to get volunteer events on our calendar.

Depending on the year of school you are in career fairs are great places to start and network; that's what started my interest and lead me to my current internship at Aetna/CVS Health.

If you are not in college, I recommend looking at LinkedIn and following organizations you want to be a part of. There are opportunities for internships and externships that offered there.

I hope this helps,
Ricardo
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Karina’s Answer

Hi,

As far as volunteer work is concerned, here are some opportunities that should be interesting:

1. Amnesty International (as a Decoder Volunteer) - https://decoders.amnesty.org/
2. Led By Foundation - https://www.ledby.org/volunteerwithus
3. Prison Journalism Project - https://prisonjournalismproject.org/volunteer/
4. 7 Cups (as a Volunteer Listener) - https://www.7cups.com/listener/become-a-volunteer-listener.php
5. Crowd2Map Tanzania (as a Mapper Volunteer) - https://crowd2map.org/get-involved/how-we-map/

Hope this helps.
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Gabrielle’s Answer

Some ways you can obtain internships or volunteer work are networking with people you already new and going on a site like indeed. On indeed there are hundreds of internships for teens that are constantly getting updated and added to every single day. Networking with people you are always connected with usually is never someone's goto, but the people you know usually have or know of so many opportunities. Since they already know you, they know what opportunities to lead you to because they know your strengths and weaknesses already. Best of luck!
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Sabrina’s Answer

Hi Haelyn. I would recommend checking with the career services office at your school (if they have one). They may have listings for local companies who are actively searching for interns. That is how I found my first internship. For discovering new volunteer opportunities in your area, you might a want to consider checking out www.volunteermatch.org and www.justserve.org for leads on organizations that could use your help.
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Catherine’s Answer

Ask everyone you come in contact with. Networking is the best way to find opportunity. Many internships may be in discussion and someone you know may be able to give you some insight. Also, get in touch with organizations that interest you and offer to volunteer. Google your interest as well and you can find many organizations that are looking for people just like you. Just put yourself out there and you will find what you are looking for.
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Gina’s Answer

Networking is your best resource....

Websites in your related field, organizations and social platforms like internship.com, linkedin are an awesome start. You may want to check for postings at your school, too.
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Jemima A.’s Answer

Volunteering and working as an internship are ways to build your career and upgrade your CV. It is nice you have interest to do one of these

I advice you know exactly what kind of volunteer you want to be or what kind of job you will like to render services as an intern.

You can get these job by networking, reading news and importantly from website or social media platforms like internship.com, linkedin, careervillage is one..

John Frick, Ricardo Sosa and Gemma Jerez's answers will also be helpful.

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Ao’s Answer

Hello, Haelyn!
First of all, it is recommended that you ask your school if there are related volunteers or internship opportunities. Or you can find the relevant regional talent development committee (CDT) to organize different activities, linkedin apps, etc. For example: I am living in Macau, the "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Macao Youth Internship Program" organized by CDT to allow Macao youths during the summer vacation Go to a business internship in a city in the Greater Bay Area to deepen your understanding of the economic and social development of the Mainland and expand the space for innovative development in the Bay Area. You can go to two cities, Shenzhen and Dongguan, and your post will cover areas such as artificial intelligence, next-generation information and communication, intelligent terminals, software development, new energy vehicles, and advanced materials. The internships are conducted in mainland enterprises or institutions free of charge, and the relevant internship guidance or training methods are arranged by the internship unit. So you can learn from different institutions to find out what interests you.
Add oil !
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Ibeth’s Answer

Networking!

It is ok to ask for help and to reach out to people. It is always no unless you ask. Most people are super impressed you reached out. They will gladly answer your questions, most of the time even pay for lunch or coffee if you meet in person because they know you are a student. If they are too busy they might connect you to someone who can help or give you good resources you can learn from. These connections will lead you to the best internships and even jobs.

Options 1
Create a linked in and reach out to anyone that seems interesting. Let them know you are a student and would love to chat with them about their industry. Ask them for 15 minutes to 30 minutes of their time. If the conversation goes well let them know you are interested in their path and to please let you know if there is an internship available.

Even if there is not an internship available at the moment. They might reach out to you once there is one. If not you still gained amazing experience by being brave and reaching out to someone who can give you more information of an industry you are interested in.

Option 2
Look up organizations near you that are career developed focused or search for networking events in the industry you prefer. Most of these places will have a membership fees but reach out to the organizer. Most of the time they will waive the fee or reduce the price for entrance because you are a student.

People who attend these meetings will be really impressed you are there and they will be happy to help you. It takes a lot of courage to network even as an adult. If you start going to this events early on, it will help you build this skill while you are still young and a student. (Also attending this events can be super expensive as an adult so take advantage of being a student while you can! This is where you can build a community and people will be more willing to help you find a great internship or job if they know you.)

See who you meet at these events. If there is anyone interesting ask for their contact information and follow up within 48 hours. Send a quick email letting them know it was nice to meet them and if you would like ask them for a 15 to 30 min meeting.


It is helpful to have an elevator speech prepared for these situations. You can find several resources online which can help you craft the perfect one depending on what career path you are interested in.

Good luck!

Ibeth recommends the following next steps:

Create a Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/
Create an elevator speech
Be brave and reach out to people
Follow up after any meeting thanking them and ask about internships available
Be proud that you super awesome for networking!
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Karina’s Answer

Hi,

As far as volunteer work is concerned, here are some opportunities that should be interesting:

1. Amnesty International (as a Decoder Volunteer) - https://decoders.amnesty.org/
2. Led By Foundation - https://www.ledby.org/volunteerwithus
3. Prison Journalism Project - https://prisonjournalismproject.org/volunteer/
4. 7 Cups (as a Volunteer Listener) - https://www.7cups.com/listener/become-a-volunteer-listener.php
5. Crowd2Map Tanzania (as a Mapper Volunteer) - https://crowd2map.org/get-involved/how-we-map/
6. Learning For a Cause - https://www.learningforacause.com/join-the-team

Hope this helps.
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Jasmine’s Answer

Hey Haelyn,
I've found that reaching out to people in the line of business you're interested in is a great starting point. If they have a website try emailing and see if there are any internship opportunities available. Also ask around and see what careers your friends' parents are in and if they interest you ask to shadow them at work or if they host internships at their company. Most people are very helpful and even if they do not have any openings available they may be able to point you in the direction of someone who does! Hope this helps!
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Gemma’s Answer

Dear Haelyn,

When it comes to volunteering you can reach out to Foodbanks, Boys and Girls Club, or other non-profit organizations. You can also volunteer to be a tutor, or a clinic (if possible). One of the best ways to find volunteer work or internships is to search online. Some sites include idealist.com, LinkedIn, Indeed and other career search engines. I hope this helps!
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Charles’s Answer

My school SIU offered an internship opportunity at Intel. My field is Instructional Design and when I started the program I knew that an Internship would be a part of my degree efforts. It is important to check with the school and the degree requirements. In my case the internship occurred toward the end of my studies and included a possibility for Full Time employment. In my case I ended up as a full time employee at Intel as I sought out and interviewed for a position.

Good Luck

Chuck B
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