Internships are a great way to gain real-world experience and develop professional skills. If you are looking for an internship this summer, here are a few tips on landing your dream opportunity!
Handshake is a great resource for students to find internships. It is a job posting platform that can help college students find jobs, get connected with recruiters, and sign up for events on campus. All of the postings on Handshake are from employers that have been verified by Binghamton University. Handshake makes it easy for students to search for internships across many fields through their various filters. When you customize your profile, it will give you recommendations based on your specific interests.
LinkedIn is another great tool for students looking for internships. Similar to Handshake, it provides personalized recommendations based on the industry or location you are interested in and also tailors suggestions according to your previous searches. Set an alert for your favorite companies, and when they post a new internship, you will be the first to know! LinkedIn will also show Binghamton alumni who work at the companies you are interested in. Throughout the application process, consider reaching out to them for valuable tips and insights about the company to set yourself up for success!
Another highly effective way to land an internship is through networking. According to a recent survey, 70% of all jobs and internships are not posted publicly and are instead filled by someone who has a connection within the company. Whether you go to the Job and Internship Fairs held every semester, participate in the Employer Treks, or leverage connections in your own network, networking can be instrumental in securing an internship. Last winter, I reached out to my old Little League coach requesting an informational interview. He is a financial advisor, which was a career path I was interested in pursuing myself. I was hoping to learn more about his own path, as well as any advice he had. While I was there, he introduced me to the person who directs internships in the office. By the time I had left, they offered me an internship for the winter break! While I ultimately chose not to pursue that career path, it was a great chance to get first-hand experience in that industry. Do not be afraid to reach out to people in your network, whether it be family friends, neighbors, parents of friends, etc. Given they have a personal connection with you, they will likely be more than happy to help you succeed!
Once you secure an internship for the summer, you can sign up for CDCI 395, an academic program designed exclusively for undergraduate students seeking a credit-bearing internship experience. This online, asynchronous course offers 2, 4, or 8 credits and presents a unique opportunity to enrich your internship journey while enhancing your career development skills. The class is a part of the Fleishman Internship Program, the largest credit-bearing internship program at Binghamton University, and provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn academic credit for their internship experiences. If you want more assistance in your internship search, set up an appointment with a career counselor, or come into the Fleishman Center for a walk-in, Monday through Friday from 12-4!
