Earlham College

 

Internships

Internship Resources

Where to Start

Before you begin seriously looking for an internship it is helpful to:

  • Begin looking early — in the fall (for summer internships).
  • Think about your interests and goals, what you are studying, your major, populations with whom you would like to work, and in what type of environment would you like to work? What geographic locations?
  • Consider what skills and networks you want to develop.
  • Decide whether you want an internship for academic credit.
  • When do you want to intern, for how long are you available, and can you become open to paid and unpaid or stipend positions?
  • Consider deadlines to apply.

Where do I find internship opportunities?

  • The Earlham College Internship Web page has many opportunities listed.
  • Come by the Bonner Center to check out resources or talk with the Internship Coordinator.
  • Check the Web site of a professional organization in your field of interest.
  • Talk with your professors and friends to see what opportunities they know about.

What do I do now? What process do I use to narrow down my search and make a decision?

  • Glance through possibilities - making a list of those that are of interest to you and your goals — find 20 or so that you want to investigate.
  • Check web sites and particular offerings for the time you want.
    • Learn about the organization — do you like what they do and believe?
    • What is known about what their internships and work of their interns?
    • What are their deadlines to apply?
    • Contact the organization.
  • If there is no intern information available, contact someone who works in the area of interest to you and arrange to discuss the possibility of an internship. Discuss with them what skills you can offer and what you would like to learn.

I've contacted the organization, now what?

  1. Wait a few weeks then follow up with a phone call if possible
  2. Brush up your resume with a focus toward their position — the Bonner Center can help.
  3. Prepare yourself for an interview.
  4. Arrange a mock interview, before your real one, through the Bonner Center.

What you get from an Internship

Internships provide you with the opportunity to gain understanding of a work place, the culture, expectations and experience needed for a particular job. They offer you insights as you explore the big questions of life. An internship is a planned learning experience where you learn by doing.

Internships help you:

  • learn about yourself
  • meet new people
  • work with professionals
  • learn new skills
  • make contacts
  • gain professional experience
  • get your foot in the door
  • practice networking
  • realize what you like
  • complement courses
  • explore your interests
  • and what you don't like

An internship helps you learn more about the kind of work you like, the work environment, and the location. You are able to reflect on your current skills and qualifications and consider the ones you would like to develop. Internships help you get better jobs!