13 answers
Julianne
Student
Rye Brook, New York
1
Question
Asked
596 views
Business Internship
I am majoring in business at college but I was wondering how I could get an internship. What are the things I should do to find an internship and to prepare for the internship?
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13 answers
Scott Foster
Consulting
31
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Scott’s Answer
Network with your peers at school including teachers. Attend any career fairs if your school offers them. LinkedIn is a great resource to search for job/internship openings.
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Julianne
That is a very good suggestion.
Edward Cromwell
Frank Holloman
Audit Director
36
Answers
Memphis, Tennessee
Updated
Frank’s Answer
A lot of companies post their internship positions just like their full-time positions. You could try going to the websites of companies in your area or companies you would like to work for and search their career sites for internship opportunities. Before you apply, make sure you have someone proof read your resume. You want to make a good impression, so you want present your skills and experiences error-free.
I will use this advice as I prepare for my career.
Julianne
Ryan Whitfield
Content Marketing Manager
19
Answers
Milford, Massachusetts
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Hi Julianne,
The best way to get started is to just search for internships. A business degree is general enough that you can really go in any direction. I would think hard about what your interests are and what you want to get out of the internship. I did two when I was in school and I was a business major too. Both of mine were unpaid, but one was in the music industry which was a really cool opportunity, and the other was in digital marketing which helped lead me to my career eventually. I had some friends in college that had paid internships and others just focused on experience and specific skills they wanted to learn. Many options out there, but be patient, and find the right fit for you.
Hope this helps!
RW
List out interests
List out skills you want to obtain
Search for internships that match with these
The best way to get started is to just search for internships. A business degree is general enough that you can really go in any direction. I would think hard about what your interests are and what you want to get out of the internship. I did two when I was in school and I was a business major too. Both of mine were unpaid, but one was in the music industry which was a really cool opportunity, and the other was in digital marketing which helped lead me to my career eventually. I had some friends in college that had paid internships and others just focused on experience and specific skills they wanted to learn. Many options out there, but be patient, and find the right fit for you.
Hope this helps!
RW
Ryan recommends the following next steps:
This was super helpful, thank you!
Julianne
Eugene Song
VP, Product Management
8
Answers
Chappaqua, New York
Updated
Eugene’s Answer
The answers so far are great advice on how to go about getting the internship. In order to get the most out of the internship (and to narrow your search), I would also suggest working backwards from your ultimate goal. Ask yourself questions like:
1) Why do I want an internship?
2) Why do I need an internship now?
3) When I am done with the internship, what do I want to have accomplished?
Once you have a solid idea of WHY you want an internship and WHAT you hope to accomplish, it'll be a lot easier to figure out what sorts of internships you should be looking for. Hope this helps!
1) Why do I want an internship?
2) Why do I need an internship now?
3) When I am done with the internship, what do I want to have accomplished?
Once you have a solid idea of WHY you want an internship and WHAT you hope to accomplish, it'll be a lot easier to figure out what sorts of internships you should be looking for. Hope this helps!
Jessica Pugliese
Career Advisor
36
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Hi Julianne!
You've received great advice so far. While you're still in college, utilize the resources that are right there in front of you (and free!). Does your college have a career center? They may have advisors who can review your resume, prepare you for interviews and give you networking advice. The college I work at uses an online job/internship platform for students to search and apply through - does yours? Some academic departments also have a listserv of companies past and current students have interned with so you can reach out to your advisor for some tips as well. Good luck! Internships are a great way to learn what you want/like out of a career (and sometimes what you don't want/like - it's that's still good information).
Jessica
You've received great advice so far. While you're still in college, utilize the resources that are right there in front of you (and free!). Does your college have a career center? They may have advisors who can review your resume, prepare you for interviews and give you networking advice. The college I work at uses an online job/internship platform for students to search and apply through - does yours? Some academic departments also have a listserv of companies past and current students have interned with so you can reach out to your advisor for some tips as well. Good luck! Internships are a great way to learn what you want/like out of a career (and sometimes what you don't want/like - it's that's still good information).
Jessica
Melissa Campo Duggan
SalesOps Manager
13
Answers
Miramar, Florida
Updated
Melissa’s Answer
Hi. In addition to the answers you already received, I would suggest looking for internships for positions and companies you have little knowledge about or are not sure you want to pursue. Internships are the best way to rule out what you don’t want to do. Also, most entry level positions in business usually start in Sales, depending on your degree. Sales is the best way to learn about the company and customers. If that doesn’t interest you, stick to a finance or accounting degree.
Melissa, thank you!
Julianne
Amy Liu
5
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Amy’s Answer
I agree with everything else that has been said so far -- definitely browse job boards, LinkedIn, your school's career center page, etc. to find positions you might be interested in.
This has been touched on a little bit before, but I'd like to emphasize the importance of networking. Make connections with recruiters at career fairs and send them thank you emails afterwards. Cold-email or cold-message recruiters on LinkedIn after applying for a position (say hi, introduce yourself, express your interest), to maximize the chances that your application gets looked at and that you get an interview. Find people who have your desired position and message them asking for a virtual coffee chat.
This has been touched on a little bit before, but I'd like to emphasize the importance of networking. Make connections with recruiters at career fairs and send them thank you emails afterwards. Cold-email or cold-message recruiters on LinkedIn after applying for a position (say hi, introduce yourself, express your interest), to maximize the chances that your application gets looked at and that you get an interview. Find people who have your desired position and message them asking for a virtual coffee chat.
Abhishek Panjwani
Product Manager
3
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Abhishek’s Answer
Utilize your network to the fullest, reach out to your school alumni’s connect with people on linkedin in the related industry, ask them out for coffee chats to ask about preferred qualifications for applications, referrals and etc
Keep your linkedin, resume updated ( to the the career department in your institution and get help with that)
Keep your linkedin, resume updated ( to the the career department in your institution and get help with that)
Samay Mishra
Non-Technical Undergraduate Intern
5
Answers
Union City, California
Updated
Samay’s Answer
1) Work on your resume, even if you don't have any experience working internships I am sure you have school activities, high school information, old summer jobs or part time jobs, volunteer work, school projects. etc. that you can build it off of.
2) Attend all your schools career fairs, even if you don't find an internship through there it's a great place to network and meet people who can point you in the right direction. Try to consult your career counseling office if you have one-- they are a great resource to offer you help finding an opportunity and sometimes they have resume workshops.
3) Create a LinkedIn Account--nowadays this is vital to finding a good internship and very easy to fine-tune to your needs.
4) Apply vigorously and practice interview prep as you apply. It took me well over 100-120 applications to finally land an opportunity. Just keep pushing through applications--there will be lots of rejections but it will give you more and more opportunities and also some will have you go through the interview process which could lead to an internship or worst case give you more practice. Make sure to follow up with them if you don't get the job to see what you could have done better next time.
5) Tap-in to your network. 9/10 we have family members, cousins, extended family, family friends, friends dads/moms who work at amazing companies doing something in Business or even specifically what you want to do. Ask them for a referral, they usually get bonus payments if they bring somebody in and companies mostly prefer referrals from existing employees as opposed to blind applications. Worst case they say they asked and couldn't make it happen and they refer you to a different friend of theirs or someone else who can help. Do not be ashamed to tap into this network, it is critical to networking for the future and finding opportunities.
2) Attend all your schools career fairs, even if you don't find an internship through there it's a great place to network and meet people who can point you in the right direction. Try to consult your career counseling office if you have one-- they are a great resource to offer you help finding an opportunity and sometimes they have resume workshops.
3) Create a LinkedIn Account--nowadays this is vital to finding a good internship and very easy to fine-tune to your needs.
4) Apply vigorously and practice interview prep as you apply. It took me well over 100-120 applications to finally land an opportunity. Just keep pushing through applications--there will be lots of rejections but it will give you more and more opportunities and also some will have you go through the interview process which could lead to an internship or worst case give you more practice. Make sure to follow up with them if you don't get the job to see what you could have done better next time.
5) Tap-in to your network. 9/10 we have family members, cousins, extended family, family friends, friends dads/moms who work at amazing companies doing something in Business or even specifically what you want to do. Ask them for a referral, they usually get bonus payments if they bring somebody in and companies mostly prefer referrals from existing employees as opposed to blind applications. Worst case they say they asked and couldn't make it happen and they refer you to a different friend of theirs or someone else who can help. Do not be ashamed to tap into this network, it is critical to networking for the future and finding opportunities.
Shailaja Mallikarjuna
Internal Strategy Consultant
1
Answer
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Updated
Shailaja’s Answer
1) Search on LinkedIn and other job boards for job postings and list of what interests you.
2) Read through job description and update your resume to match the experiences and skill sets that they are looking for.
3) Network - work with Alum and people within the field you are interested in.
4) Join clubs in leadership positions to gain leadership experience.
2) Read through job description and update your resume to match the experiences and skill sets that they are looking for.
3) Network - work with Alum and people within the field you are interested in.
4) Join clubs in leadership positions to gain leadership experience.
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
Julianne
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
838
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Julianne,
You have gotten some great advice here. Many companies have information on internships and how to get ready for them. I would add on that you should consider the benefits of doing an unpaid internship versus a paid one. You may get great experience from an unpaid internship that you can use for future experience. Also, ideal you school and even the business college may be able to give you some direction on where you can intern. Your challenge with be twofold: 1) how do you want to use your business degree? and 2) what field would you want to support? I have worked in banking, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, and travel. All of them have presented me with very interesting challenges in my job.
Gloria
You have gotten some great advice here. Many companies have information on internships and how to get ready for them. I would add on that you should consider the benefits of doing an unpaid internship versus a paid one. You may get great experience from an unpaid internship that you can use for future experience. Also, ideal you school and even the business college may be able to give you some direction on where you can intern. Your challenge with be twofold: 1) how do you want to use your business degree? and 2) what field would you want to support? I have worked in banking, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, and travel. All of them have presented me with very interesting challenges in my job.
Gloria
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1509
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. I am glad to hear that you would like to get an internship. It would be beneficial for your career development.
To find an internship, I suggest you can consider below :
1. Corporate may post the internship program on the official website.
2. The college career office may also host some internship programs with the corporates. You may keep an eye on the latest update.
3. If there is any corporate you are keen to get an internship, you can also send an email to their HR department with your cv to seize opportunities.
To prepare for the interview of the internship, you may consider to prepare below :
1. Find out more of the corporates,
2. Understand the job nature and how you background/qualification that meet the job requirement
3. Think about what contribution you can make
4. Prepare 1-2 questions to the interviewer
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
To find an internship, I suggest you can consider below :
1. Corporate may post the internship program on the official website.
2. The college career office may also host some internship programs with the corporates. You may keep an eye on the latest update.
3. If there is any corporate you are keen to get an internship, you can also send an email to their HR department with your cv to seize opportunities.
To prepare for the interview of the internship, you may consider to prepare below :
1. Find out more of the corporates,
2. Understand the job nature and how you background/qualification that meet the job requirement
3. Think about what contribution you can make
4. Prepare 1-2 questions to the interviewer
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Your advice was so helpful!
Julianne
Molly Sly
Talent Acquisition Manager
31
Answers
Rochester Hills, Michigan
Updated
Molly’s Answer
Hey Julienne,
Most colleges have a career guidance center where they'll have postings for internships and jobs. Most of them also use handshake.com - companies will post job and internship opportunities here that you can apply for.
I would also do some research on the companies you would want to work for. Go to their careers page or their corporate LinkedIn pages. Apply to positions that you see. And don't get discouraged because sometimes it can take a while but keep after it. Keep sending out those applications and try to network wherever possible. If you apply to a position and you know someone that works at that company, ask them if they'll route your resume through internal channels as well. Networking is something that will be crucial to you throughout your career.
I wish you the best of luck!
Molly
Most colleges have a career guidance center where they'll have postings for internships and jobs. Most of them also use handshake.com - companies will post job and internship opportunities here that you can apply for.
I would also do some research on the companies you would want to work for. Go to their careers page or their corporate LinkedIn pages. Apply to positions that you see. And don't get discouraged because sometimes it can take a while but keep after it. Keep sending out those applications and try to network wherever possible. If you apply to a position and you know someone that works at that company, ask them if they'll route your resume through internal channels as well. Networking is something that will be crucial to you throughout your career.
I wish you the best of luck!
Molly