Applying for an internship can be an intimidating experience at any level. It is like applying for a job in many ways! Maybe you are not sure how to get started or what to expect? I went through the same thing. Keep reading for some tips to make the process as smooth as possible.
I encourage you to start doing site research the semester before you are to apply. This way you can check out different websites and get a feel for what different sites have to offer. If you are already balancing a lot, try to be realistic about what you can handle. I have had friends that needed to quit their jobs after accepting and beginning their internship because the hours clashed with their work hours. Quitting my current job was not an option for me to complete my internship. I needed to make sure to communicate this during the interview process and work for a site that would allow me the flexibility to do both.
When researching internship sites, I would suggest having a google maps tab open as well. Before I got attached to an internship site, I would plug in their address to see what the commute would be like. If the commute was over 40 minutes, I would put that site on the back burner. That is not to say that I would write a site off completely, but I had to be honest with myself. A lot of people get burned out by the commute. I saw it many times in my role as a recruiter. I spent years commuting all over for work. The older I get, the less enthused I am about commuting. A shorter commute is important for me, so I made that a requirement in my search for an internship site. I am so grateful I did! For me, a shorter commute means I can go home for a few hours if I have gaps between clients or I can meet a local friend for lunch.
You must have a cover letter, a resume, references, and letters of recommendation. If you are lucky, your professor will give you some directions as to how these documents should be constructed. If not though, there are many resources online to assist you. The sites you apply for may ask you for additional information or additional documents. It is hard to anticipate what a site will ask you for beyond what you already have put together but be prepared to put together more!
When considering who to ask for letters of recommendation, I chose the people that watched me grow the most at different points of my life. I asked for a letter from my best friend of 25 years. Who knows me better than she does? I asked for a letter from my first boss in my previous company, a man who’s lessons in professionalism and recruiting I soaked up like a sponge. I asked for a letter from another student I was close to in my cohort, who had been beside me for every class over the past year. To be safe, I asked for a fourth letter of recommendation from a colleague in my previous career that I worked alongside throughout my different positions in the company. Ask for a letter of recommendation from those you really trust. The site you are applying for may reach out to that person directly to ask more questions!
Lastly, when reaching out to internship sites, I will share with you what I learned in recruiting on how to get people’s attention. Call a site directly whenever possible. It may be rare to speak with a supervisor directly the first time you call but leave them a voicemail. Plan what you are going to say when you leave a voicemail ahead of time, so you don’t have to think about it. I made myself a script of what to say! After you leave a voicemail, send an email stating that you had just left them a voicemail. In the email, provide all the required documents. This saves time for the site. If you do not hear from someone in three business days, follow up with an additional email. Good luck!
If you would like to speak to a professional counselor or psychologist about this and are in the Chicago area, please feel free to contact Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc. at 708-633-8000. We are located at 6819 West 167th Street in Tinley Park, Illinois 60477.
Hillary R.,
Masters Level Intern, 2024
CounselingMatters.live 
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