8 answers
John
Student
Edison, New Jersey
2
Questions
Asked
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How can I get internships in college?
Am i able to get internships in my freshman year of college or are they available later on?
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8 answers
Darren Wang
7
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Darren’s Answer
John - You're definitely able to start as a freshman, and many HR or companies will see you in a positive light! Even better, if you're still in high school, internships are plenty around, so you can begin your internship search anytime!
In high school, many of my friends interned at various laboratories at universities (e.g. Caltech or UCLA), law firms, software companies, and media companies, among other industries. The key is to search a directory or an aggregate list of companies with contact information provided and spam them with inquiries. We started during the summer of junior year.
As a freshman in college, the same tactic applies; however, there are definitely more resources available considering the emphasis placed within these institutions versus high school. Definitely speak with juniors and seniors in college, and ask them for advice. Participate in clubs, attend career fairs (even if they only want juniors and seniors), send applications to postings on LinkedIn/Handshake/Indeed/etc, and network with alumni and industry professionals. Even if you face rejection, you set yourself up in the long-term as HR or professionals may keep your resume in their database to document each interest shown. Just remember, at this point in life, you are not behind; in fact, you are well ahead of many peers, and the experience from networking and facing rejection, if any, only enhances your journey. Best of luck!
In high school, many of my friends interned at various laboratories at universities (e.g. Caltech or UCLA), law firms, software companies, and media companies, among other industries. The key is to search a directory or an aggregate list of companies with contact information provided and spam them with inquiries. We started during the summer of junior year.
As a freshman in college, the same tactic applies; however, there are definitely more resources available considering the emphasis placed within these institutions versus high school. Definitely speak with juniors and seniors in college, and ask them for advice. Participate in clubs, attend career fairs (even if they only want juniors and seniors), send applications to postings on LinkedIn/Handshake/Indeed/etc, and network with alumni and industry professionals. Even if you face rejection, you set yourself up in the long-term as HR or professionals may keep your resume in their database to document each interest shown. Just remember, at this point in life, you are not behind; in fact, you are well ahead of many peers, and the experience from networking and facing rejection, if any, only enhances your journey. Best of luck!
Laura Kaminski
Sr Analyst
6
Answers
Manchester, New Hampshire
Updated
Laura’s Answer
Hi John,
Great question! Thinking ahead is a great start to your future, it's never too soon to look ahead and plan for what you want. Your Academic advisor in college is a fantastic source of information for things like internships and programs that will help you get experience in the field you are interested in. That would be where you want to start. As well, most colleges have career centers that can provide a lot of good infomation and feedback on your path into the career of your choice. Lastly, it never hurts to look at some of the companies you might be interested in working at online, look at their website and if they have internship opportunities available. If it is a company you really want to work at, it never hurts to reach out to them specifically and express your interest in learning more about them!
Good Luck!
Great question! Thinking ahead is a great start to your future, it's never too soon to look ahead and plan for what you want. Your Academic advisor in college is a fantastic source of information for things like internships and programs that will help you get experience in the field you are interested in. That would be where you want to start. As well, most colleges have career centers that can provide a lot of good infomation and feedback on your path into the career of your choice. Lastly, it never hurts to look at some of the companies you might be interested in working at online, look at their website and if they have internship opportunities available. If it is a company you really want to work at, it never hurts to reach out to them specifically and express your interest in learning more about them!
Good Luck!
Zelalem Mulugeta
Electrical Engineer
2
Answers
Hampton, Virginia
Updated
Zelalem’s Answer
I am advising you to contact your college career office. You can also use a Google search to look for internships. For summer internships, most companies recruits during January/February time frame. Don't be intimidate because you're a freshman; most of the companies will hire interns as freshman. If your employer likes you as intern, they usually keep you as a part-time intern all year around.
Hope, the advise is helpful.
Good Luck!
Hope, the advise is helpful.
Good Luck!
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
500
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
There are certainly options! Start with visiting a counselor and asking them if they have options available. You can also look for associations within your field and reach out to people who are members of the schools alumni association for help.
Adeline Nguyen
Data Scientist
3
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Adeline’s Answer
Hi John! There are definitely internship opportunities out there for freshmen - really great job for thinking ahead and working on jumpstarting early on this.
Some companies will have first-year specific internship programs so I would start by doing a search for these kinds of programs who are looking to introduce you to the industry you're interested in without much experience. A good place to start would be a google search as well as checking with your career office. If you have companies you're specifically interested in, check out their college recruiting pages to see what programs they have in place.
And another tactic would be to reach out to people who work at the companies you're interested in (even better if they're alumni from your college!) on LinkedIn for a coffee chat. They may be able to eventually refer you or point you in the right direction. And even if these companies may not have internship programs for students this early in their college careers, it's a great opportunity to start networking for future internship options.
Some companies will have first-year specific internship programs so I would start by doing a search for these kinds of programs who are looking to introduce you to the industry you're interested in without much experience. A good place to start would be a google search as well as checking with your career office. If you have companies you're specifically interested in, check out their college recruiting pages to see what programs they have in place.
And another tactic would be to reach out to people who work at the companies you're interested in (even better if they're alumni from your college!) on LinkedIn for a coffee chat. They may be able to eventually refer you or point you in the right direction. And even if these companies may not have internship programs for students this early in their college careers, it's a great opportunity to start networking for future internship options.
Jason White
Channel Manager
40
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Hi John,
Fantastic inquiry! There are numerous pathways for you to explore and learn about internships.
Firstly, your college's career services center is a goldmine of information. They probably utilize platforms like Handshake to link you with potential employers, a resource you'll have access to. Moreover, they often have established connections with various employers who visit the campus throughout the semester. By getting on their mailing list, you'll receive timely updates on upcoming events, giving you a chance to network and meet recruiters who are actively seeking interns for term-time and summer positions.
Another effective method is to conduct your own research online. Consider the types of companies you envision yourself working for post-graduation, and browse their websites to see if they offer internships. I strongly recommend applying for these opportunities. Once you've done that, try to locate individuals with the title "college recruiter" from these companies on LinkedIn and initiate contact. This will put you on their radar and you can start learning about any recruitment events you can participate in.
While some internships might be tailored for upperclassmen, a good number of them also welcome freshmen and sophomores. So, don't hesitate, start your journey now and you'll be amazed at the opportunities that await you!
Speak with your colleges career center
Fantastic inquiry! There are numerous pathways for you to explore and learn about internships.
Firstly, your college's career services center is a goldmine of information. They probably utilize platforms like Handshake to link you with potential employers, a resource you'll have access to. Moreover, they often have established connections with various employers who visit the campus throughout the semester. By getting on their mailing list, you'll receive timely updates on upcoming events, giving you a chance to network and meet recruiters who are actively seeking interns for term-time and summer positions.
Another effective method is to conduct your own research online. Consider the types of companies you envision yourself working for post-graduation, and browse their websites to see if they offer internships. I strongly recommend applying for these opportunities. Once you've done that, try to locate individuals with the title "college recruiter" from these companies on LinkedIn and initiate contact. This will put you on their radar and you can start learning about any recruitment events you can participate in.
While some internships might be tailored for upperclassmen, a good number of them also welcome freshmen and sophomores. So, don't hesitate, start your journey now and you'll be amazed at the opportunities that await you!
Jason recommends the following next steps:
Billie-Jazz Eyondi
Consultant and Leadership Coach
9
Answers
Union, New Jersey
Updated
Billie-Jazz’s Answer
Hello John,
It's absolutely fantastic to see you taking such initiative! Being a freshman in college certainly doesn't bar you from securing an internship.
A plethora of companies provide various programs (such as discovery, shadow, and team rotation) to give you a taste of their work environment and company culture. Make sure to explore their career web pages to discover which programs are designed for students. These are typically categorized under headings like "students", "undergraduate", or "early career". These programs can last from a few days to several months. Once you've completed them, don't hesitate to include them in your resume! They are valuable additions to your experience and can pave the way for more internship opportunities.
Furthermore, universities often foster connections with employers, inviting them to visit the campus. These visits usually take the form of information sessions, networking events, and career fairs. I strongly recommend you to take advantage of these opportunities as they provide a platform to interact with companies, their recruiters, and employees. Your college or university's career services are excellent resources to learn about these events. Also, remember that many student-led clubs (like business, finance, engineering, etc.) host these informative sessions.
When attending these events, ensure you're professionally prepared with appropriate business attire and a copy of your resume. Don't forget to collect business cards and follow up with an email to stay in the loop about potential opportunities!
For more exploration, Access Your Potential’s site offers a wealth of potential career opportunities, including internships and paid consulting externships for nonprofits. You can sign up here: http://accessyourpotential.pwc.com/
It's absolutely fantastic to see you taking such initiative! Being a freshman in college certainly doesn't bar you from securing an internship.
A plethora of companies provide various programs (such as discovery, shadow, and team rotation) to give you a taste of their work environment and company culture. Make sure to explore their career web pages to discover which programs are designed for students. These are typically categorized under headings like "students", "undergraduate", or "early career". These programs can last from a few days to several months. Once you've completed them, don't hesitate to include them in your resume! They are valuable additions to your experience and can pave the way for more internship opportunities.
Furthermore, universities often foster connections with employers, inviting them to visit the campus. These visits usually take the form of information sessions, networking events, and career fairs. I strongly recommend you to take advantage of these opportunities as they provide a platform to interact with companies, their recruiters, and employees. Your college or university's career services are excellent resources to learn about these events. Also, remember that many student-led clubs (like business, finance, engineering, etc.) host these informative sessions.
When attending these events, ensure you're professionally prepared with appropriate business attire and a copy of your resume. Don't forget to collect business cards and follow up with an email to stay in the loop about potential opportunities!
For more exploration, Access Your Potential’s site offers a wealth of potential career opportunities, including internships and paid consulting externships for nonprofits. You can sign up here: http://accessyourpotential.pwc.com/
Samriddhi Gupta
Consulting
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Samriddhi’s Answer
Hello John,
Exciting times are ahead! Your first year of college is a fantastic stepping stone towards a bright future, and there's a wealth of summer internship opportunities waiting for you. Have you checked if your university is partnered with Handshake? This platform is a treasure trove of job openings, and you can easily tailor your search to your current academic level - perfect for a freshman like you! If you're unsure about Handshake, your academic advisor is a great resource to tap into for similar platforms your university might offer.
Moreover, if you've already pinpointed your desired industry or the kind of work you're passionate about, let Google be your guide! By searching "internships for freshman *insert area of interest here*", you'll uncover a multitude of positions ready for your application. And remember, if a familiar name pops up in the search results, don't hesitate to connect with them and ask any questions - they could be your ticket to a fantastic opportunity!
Don't forget to check out Access Your Potential’s website too. They offer a variety of internships and paid consulting externships specifically for nonprofits. To access these fantastic programs and more, simply sign up here: accessyourpotential.pwc.com.
Here's to your success, John! Best of luck!
Exciting times are ahead! Your first year of college is a fantastic stepping stone towards a bright future, and there's a wealth of summer internship opportunities waiting for you. Have you checked if your university is partnered with Handshake? This platform is a treasure trove of job openings, and you can easily tailor your search to your current academic level - perfect for a freshman like you! If you're unsure about Handshake, your academic advisor is a great resource to tap into for similar platforms your university might offer.
Moreover, if you've already pinpointed your desired industry or the kind of work you're passionate about, let Google be your guide! By searching "internships for freshman *insert area of interest here*", you'll uncover a multitude of positions ready for your application. And remember, if a familiar name pops up in the search results, don't hesitate to connect with them and ask any questions - they could be your ticket to a fantastic opportunity!
Don't forget to check out Access Your Potential’s website too. They offer a variety of internships and paid consulting externships specifically for nonprofits. To access these fantastic programs and more, simply sign up here: accessyourpotential.pwc.com.
Here's to your success, John! Best of luck!