Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

The start of Fall might seem like an odd time to think about a summer internship. But it’s not. Those of you who plan on finding the perfect internship for next summer probably already know that now’s the time to start the wheels in motion.

Finding the right internship takes hard work. In fact, some may say that finding a job (or internship) could be a full-time job. Having a good strategy in place from Day One will help keep you on track and up your odds of finding a great spot.
 

What are four things to do RIGHT NOW that will set you on track for summer internship bliss?

• Reflect: If you had an internship last summer, take a moment to really think about it. What worked? What didn’t? Did you like the industry? Size of company? Type of tasks you were doing? Take this information and make a wish list for next summer—the more specific, the better.
   
• Update Your Resume: While your experience is still fresh in your mind, re-draft your resume to include your recent company, position, work and accomplishments.
   
• Fill in The Gaps: Maybe you think you’d love to land a social media internship next summer. But after taking a look at your newly updated resume, you see that your experience and credentials in the area is pretty light. The good news is that you have plenty of time to beef up your know-how, whether through practice, a class, or some reading.
   
• Start Interning Now: Last but not least, internships are not just for summer. Plenty of companies—particularly growing businesses—look for talented people year-round. Some companies enter into a busy season as we near year-end while others need help wrapping everything up at year end. Plus, with the rise of virtual work, you can work in your dorm room in California while interning for a company in New York. The benefits of starting an internship now? Another chance to get great experience, plus if you do a good job and you may have just found yourself a foot in the door of that perfect summer opportunity.