From my experience at Swarthmore, I have noticed that many of us start the process of internship searching around the middle of the Spring semester. It’s that time of the year when we realize that summer break is around the corner, so we begin strategizing how to best utilize these three months to set our career paths in motion. At the same time, we are also hearing from our close friends about their exciting internships at a certain high-profile firm or scrolling through LinkedIn and stumbling upon the classic “I’m excited to announce that…” posts every second.  While this moment might result in intense pressure and feelings of being overwhelmed, it should not be this way for those who plan ahead.  The remainder of this blog provides tips for optimizing your internship search, ensuring that you’re well-prepared to confidently navigate any challenges that may arise along the way and, hopefully, avoid last-minute stress and anxiety.

First things first: timing is everything. Think of searching for a summer internship like planning a road trip – you wouldn’t start packing the car while it’s already barreling down the highway, would you? To avoid any last-minute scramble, it’s best to kick off your internship hunt either during the previous summer or at the latest, in the fall semester. You might think that this is too early to start thinking about internships but starting early will be what will help you minimize unwanted stress. 

Now that we’ve got the timing down, let’s talk strategy. While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to securing an internship, there are some tried-and-true tactics that successful interns have in common. Think of these tips as a high-level overview of your journey, guiding you through each stage of the process with confidence and clarity. 

1. Identify your Interests

Picture yourself getting behind the wheel of a car, ready to hit the road. But wait – you haven’t decided on a destination yet. Skipping this stage in your internship search is like embarking on a journey without a map, GPS, or destination in mind. Before diving headfirst into the internship search, it’s crucial to know which industry or field you’re interested in. Whether you’re a first-timer or considering a career switch, this step is inevitable. 

So, how do you figure out your destination? There are a few different routes you can take. If you’re already set on a major or industry but unsure which specific career path to pursue, reach out to students who’ve been down that road for valuable insights. You might also consider using the Vault Career Guides to learn more about different career paths and industries. 

If you’re still feeling a bit lost, consider scheduling an advising appointment with one of our awesome career counselors through Handshake. 

At the end of this step, you should be able to articulate this simple sentence: Over the summer, I would love to work within the [XYZ] Industry.

By having this clarity, you’ll be ready to steer your summer internship journey in your preferred direction.

2. Researching about the Field and Potential Employers

Once you’ve pinpointed your areas of interest, the next crucial step is conducting extensive research on the field you are interested in. Think of it as plotting your route before hitting the road. Just like how Google Maps or Waze alerts us about upcoming turns and road conditions, understanding the ins and outs of your desired career path equips you with the knowledge needed to navigate the internship search successfully.

Keep in mind that your mission is to uncover everything you can uncover about your preferred industry, from potential employers to recruitment practices within the field and internship hiring timelines. I have always found YouTube, LinkedIn, and Career Guides such as Vault to be very helpful. For example, I once worked with a student who expressed potential interest in working in the fields of Finance, Consulting, or Investment Banking but wasn’t sure what each industry entailed and how recruitment works. I advised them to watch this 13-minute video as a starting point, and they decided that they wanted to explore the Consulting path. As an example,  if you’re considering a career in User Experience Design, a simple search like “Internships in User Experience Design” can reveal a wealth of information. 

 At the end of your in-depth research, you should be able to expand the sentence in step one to look more like this:

Over the summer, I would love to work within the [ABC] Industry, at companies [list more than one company], as a/an [IJK] Intern. 

This level of detail not only clarifies your career aspirations but also helps you tailor your internship search to specific opportunities within your chosen industry.

At this stage, you’ll also start considering any assessments or preparatory steps specific to your industry. For instance, aspiring consultants might start practicing mock case interviews, while those aiming for the software engineering field may focus on coding tests. There are clubs around campus that assist students in the career preparation process, and the Career Center has resources to help you prepare. Stop by our office in Parrish 135W to ask about all the resources we have to help you get started.

If you are interested in these two fields and your research does not tell you this in Step 2, it’s probably a sign that you still need to do more research about the field!

The next two steps can be done concurrently or in any best order.

3. Preparing Your Resume

For any internship application, you’ll need a polished resume that demonstrates your skills. A solid resume should guide recruiters and hiring managers through your skill sets,  previous internships/research experiences, and leadership roles on campus. Career Fellows at the Career Center are your go-to resource for crafting a standout resume. Career Fellows host their drop-in sessions every weekday afternoon(1-4.30 pm), and you can join them even if you’re starting from scratch. They are trained to help you stand out among the large applicant pool with strategies to highlight your extracurricular activities, previous internships, leadership roles, and community involvement.

4. Scouting for Internship Opportunities

Now that you’ve identified your desired field, and potential employers, and crafted your resume, it’s time to scout for internship openings. Let’s say that after step 2, your sentence looked like this:

This summer, I aim to work as a Product Design Intern in the Design Industry, ideally at companies like Figma, Canva, Ester Lauder, Apple, Duolingo, or HubSpot.

A quick Google search for “Product Design Internships at [Company Name]” should lead you to the company’s careers page, listing available opportunities. However, don’t limit yourself to just these companies. Use job-listing/promoting websites like Handshake which you have access to using your Swarthmore email, for more opportunities.

Keep in mind that some industries have unconventional hiring processes. For instance, if you’re looking for a Communication Internship in a Senate Candidate campaign, networking might be your best bet for uncovering available opportunities. Check out our networking guide for tips on making meaningful connections.

As a final reminder, the internship search journey can be a rollercoaster ride. Just like encountering traffic or taking a wrong turn on a road trip, setbacks are part of the journey. But as long as you’ve prepared and stayed vigilant, you’ll reach your destination – landing that dream internship. Stay patient, stay persistent, and most importantly, take time for a deep breath and reflection at each stage.  Best of luck!