One of the quintessential college student experiences is being an intern. For many majors, an internship is a requirement for graduation. Theoretically, there is a great benefit to interning. Internships provide students with the chance to learn about their professions of choice hands-on, and these experiences can help students establish professional connections for future work post-graduation. But internships can be hard to find, and not all are created equal. The following are a few tips–many from my own experience–on getting your foot in the internship door.
**DISCLAIMER: If you need an internship to graduate, you should begin these steps no later than your junior year! Be sure to check the specific requirements for you to receive credits, as well!
Utilize DePaul’s Career Center
Did you know that all DePaul students have access to a wide variety of incredible resources relating to internships, employment, and professional development? Well, they do! The Career Center is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to find an internship.
The Career Center hosts the Handshake platform, which is a bit like LinkedIn but tailored specifically for college students. A Handshake account will give you access to career fairs and help connect you with prospective employers using your past coursework and work experience. Through Handshake you can also reach out directly to the Career Center where specialized support can help talk through your resume, practice interview questions, and facilitate your job search. The Career Center is a great place for anyone at DePaul to go, regardless of the position they’re seeking. Even if you secure an internship or job, the Career Center can help you get the most out of the experience!
Seek Out Program and Industry-Specific Resources
Many schools and programs within DePaul have their own recommendations for students when it comes to finding relevant positions, and you should try to take advantage of these. Look for your industry-specific job boards, and reach out to the Career Center to find resources unique to your program at DePaul.
Theatre School students, like myself, should take advantage of the Chicago League of Theatres job board. Here you can find a comprehensive listing of local full-time, part-time, internship, and volunteer opportunities in Chicago’s theatre landscape. Even non-theatre students can find relevant positions–School of Music students may find a position with Lyric Opera or the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Communication students will find several Public Relations and Digital Communications positions throughout the year.
CDM students have access to SCA Central through D2L, and here they can find ongoing updates about local internships and job events in the film, gaming, and digital media industries.
If you’re looking for a position in the public sector, I recommend keeping notifications on for the City of Chicago job board, which frequently offers student-specific internships throughout the academic year.
All DePaul students can take advantage of the DePaul job board and Honors students can of course stay up to date with the Honors Hub, which we frequently update with internship opportunities under our “Events and Opportunities” tab!
Network!
DePaul is full of talented and experienced professionals. Take advantage of that! If you’re eager for an internship, consider (respectfully!) reaching out to people within your program or advisors to see if they can help set you on the right track. It’s important to know the kind of work you want to do and to articulate why you’re reaching out to whomever you’re contacting. Marketing yourself and your professional interests is a great way to convey confidence and ambition. I come from a Theatre School background, and I can guarantee that building those strong connections within TTS will help you connect to a whole network of theatre opportunities within (and even outside) Chicago. Even for students outside of The Theatre School, networking can yield research or apprenticeship opportunities. Look for alumni of your program and form those relationships, as well. Communication can be intimidating, but it can open doors!
Pitch Yourself
I have found that when it comes to internships, you sometimes just have to shoot your shot (for lack of a better phrase). When you’re struggling to find listings online, you really have to be your own best advocate and put yourself out there. Look for organizations and companies that align with your interests or prior experience and take the initiative to reach out to them yourself. Attach a resumé and a cover letter that expresses (effusively) why you’re interested in the work that the company does as well as your own background and capabilities. I find this to be an effective approach, especially for arts students who may be interested in working with smaller, more intimate organizations. In all cases, respect and sincerity will get your name on radars!
Tailor that Resumé and Cover Letter
Make sure your supporting materials are a strong representation of your strengths and abilities! For more advice on this, I suggest checking out the other posts in our “Etiquette for the Young Professional” series. These can be found on our dedicated Career Advantage page.
Hopefully, now your search can begin! I want to emphasize that an internship, though a requirement for many, should ultimately serve your own interests and professional growth. Remain cognizant of an employer’s expectations and working conditions and always communicate with your supervisor or advisor throughout the process to ensure that you are getting the most out of the experience.
Best of luck!
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