By Andrew Symon ’24, Career Peer Advisor
Miss the internship panel we offered on February 15th? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are key pieces of advice shared at the event:
- Be Tenacious! Because there typically aren’t defined channels to go straight into start-ups like other industries (finance, law, etc.), make sure that you utilize all the resources available to you. Be ready to speak to your career counselors, your professors, and even upperclassmen doing work that is interesting to you. There are a multitude of different types of roles, industries, and companies in the start-up environment thus make sure to do research on what you might be interested in.
- Network! Recruiting in the start-up space is tough. Often times companies don’t have the capital, time, time or even personnel to dedicate to fully-fledged internships and recruiting timelines. Therefore, it is important to lean on your personal network. Whether that be through Swarthmore alumni, professors, family friends, etc. they will all be instrumental in finding a job working for a start-up. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help or even suggest an internship for the companies that you may be interested in.
- Follow Tech Trends! If you plan on pursuing a job/internship in the technology start-up space, understanding the key drivers of innovation is paramount to be able to convey your skill to an interviewer. This can be done in a number of ways such as reading up on TechCrunch or following your favorite founders on Twitter. Bettering your understanding of the technology that you will be working on, will not only prove yourself valuable in working with the start-up but also improve your own personal development.
