3 answers
haylin
Student
Kapaa, Hawaii
2
Questions
Asked
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When should a graduate start looking for internships?
planning for my senior year and preparation for after graduation. #internship #agriculture #sustainability
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3 answers
Wael Al-Rihawi
Mechanical Engineer I Automotive
1124
Answers
Redford Charter Township, Michigan
Updated
Wael’s Answer
Are you planning for your highschool senior year or university senior year? If it is highschool then you are a bit early; apply for internships for your first summer in university, after freshmen and before sophomore years. If you are in university, apply NOW!
Sylvia Tang
Innovation and Strategic Planning
4
Answers
Berkeley, California
Updated
Sylvia’s Answer
It's never too early to start looking for internships if you have a free summer or extra hours during the school year where you can get some experience!
Typically, bigger companies recruit for summer internships for college students in the spring semester of their sophomore and junior year (for internships in the summer before junior and senior year). That's when you can start attending information sessions with bigger companies to network and/or browsing their websites to apply online. Some companies may offer internships during the school year, which you may have to research online or attend career fairs at your school to learn about.
Otherwise, small to medium size companies could always use extra help, so if you hustle hard enough, you should be able to find an organization that will let you do a part-time internship, or even shadow someone who's job you are interested in. You can always break the ice with an organization by contacting someone for an informational interview (e.g., casual coffee chat or phone chat to ask them about what they do, ask them if there's anyone else they think you should talk to), and it may develop into an official opportunity. The earlier you start this, the better - good luck!
Typically, bigger companies recruit for summer internships for college students in the spring semester of their sophomore and junior year (for internships in the summer before junior and senior year). That's when you can start attending information sessions with bigger companies to network and/or browsing their websites to apply online. Some companies may offer internships during the school year, which you may have to research online or attend career fairs at your school to learn about.
Otherwise, small to medium size companies could always use extra help, so if you hustle hard enough, you should be able to find an organization that will let you do a part-time internship, or even shadow someone who's job you are interested in. You can always break the ice with an organization by contacting someone for an informational interview (e.g., casual coffee chat or phone chat to ask them about what they do, ask them if there's anyone else they think you should talk to), and it may develop into an official opportunity. The earlier you start this, the better - good luck!
Melodi Yanik
Transportation Resources Coordinator
2
Answers
Tacoma, Washington
Updated
Melodi’s Answer
Keep in mind, smaller organizations or governmental departments may not have formal internship positions posted but may be in need of help. In college, I reached out to the City about a sustainability paper I was working on and ended up creating an unpaid (very part-time, 3 hrs a week) internship position helping them establish a grant program. So, if there is an organization you like and end up doing an informational interview with them, keep your ears open for an opportunity to create an internship (they may not be paid, though).