Searching for required internships while you are juggling other responsibilities and pressures can seem overwhelming. Here’s five questions to keep asking yourself to stay on track and make the best of your efforts.
AM I FOCUSED?
I have heard: “I sent out over 300 applications”, or “I am a UX designer, a software developer AND researcher”. This indicates a lack of focus, and it will cloud your brand messaging (resume, portfolio, profiles, cover letter). Take the time to honestly assess your background, your skills, your training and most importantly, your career goals. Focus on areas where you have an advantage over your competition (schedule a meeting to learn more).
WHAT DO I EXPECT FROM NETWORKING?
In it’s purest form, employment networking (i.e., LinkedIn) is a way to gain access access to non-redundant information via the strength of weak ties. You need to make new connections to gain access to new (internship) information. As with most things, you also need to manage your expectations when it comes to growing your network. Would you be more likely to search high and low for a internship for a random internet stranger in the middle of your work week, or would you be more likely to have a quick look over their resume or portfolio? Isn’t it simpler just to ask someone about the things they think are most important in their everyday work? Wouldn’t you be grateful if they simply connected you to another person in their own network? Now you’re networking! Make it easy for potential contacts and start building a strong network.
HAVE I CULTIVATED ENOUGH CONTACTS?
Use your networking time to build diverse contacts across seniority, discipline, industry, and location. Aim for a realistic number of contacts that strikes a balance between quality contacts in your dream internship at your dream company in your dream location, and contacts that might exist in only one or none of those silos. Remember, the goal is to let your contacts know who you are, what you do, and that you exist. This means keeping the connections alive with conversation, and also responding to requests for information.
AM I PUTTING IN THE TIME?
You are busy and the internship search is just one more thing looming over you. So schedule it. Set aside an hour a day, even in two 30-minute chunks, to focus, research, network and apply for internships. The thing is: finding an internship is not going to happen by itself. you need to take ownership over your search, develop a plan, and schedule it to make it real.
DO I HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE?
By applying to internships you are looking to gain access to something you need but do not have. You will get rejected and ignored. Applicant tracking systems do not care that you are having a tough day or week. You do not have control of these systems, or outcomes. The thing you DO have control over is how you will use that information in your next application. You are in control of how you respond to rejections and being “ghosted” by companies. You are disappointed but not defeated. Stay positive and continue to know that you will reach your goals.
Take ownership of your search. This is YOUR search and only YOU can make it happen.