How to Find an Internship as a College Student?

Finding the right internship as a college student has become one of the most challenging tasks today. As most employers lookout for candidates who have some prior work experience, college students can’t ignore the benefits and experience of internships. This is all the more crucial for students in computer science (CS), information technology (IT), and related streams. 

Since it is difficult to get the best internship opportunity, we have shared a few of the easiest and most preferred ways here. The process of finding an internship involves going through internship portals, employee websites, networking, etc. Below, you will find the ways and steps in detail to successfully find the internship opportunity.

1. Google Search

Google is your best buddy whether you are looking for an internship or even a job. Just open Google Search, type in ‘web development internship Delhi’, and click on search. It will show you results from numerous relevant websites that you couldn’t find with the best of your efforts. You can open websites that meet your criteria, check details, and apply for the internship. This is one of the easiest ways to land an internship opportunity.

2. Make Proper Use of Relevant Online Platforms

Broad Digitalisation has compelled the HR Industry to go online to search for skillsets and talent required in their organization and fill the vacancies. Here are some online platforms that can help you to find Internships, especially if you are a fresher:

• LinkedIn

You must have an account on LinkedIn before stepping into the professional world. This is not only a place to hunt for internships but also to find several great opportunities for career and networking. Start with creating your account and add your details to the profile. Use the Jobs tab on the platform to search for internships listed here by employers. Just type the ‘internship’ word with your field name and hit search. For instance, if you are looking for an internship in web development, then type it and click search.

It will show you numerous opportunities and vacancies available. You can apply the filters here, such as selecting your city, choosing paid or unpaid, etc., and viewing only the appropriate options for you. Along with the internships, you will also see if any connections of yours work there. In case you find your connection working at the company you want to apply for the internship, you can request a referral for more chances of getting it accepted.  

• Glassdoor

Several recruiters, employers, and job boards list their internship vacancies on Glassdoor as it is one of the top platforms for people to search for internships and jobs. In this business for more than a decade now, Glassdoor helps you see the reviews of the company you are applying to, job descriptions, expected salaries, and much more. You can also see the important interview questions for better preparation. 

Based on the criteria and company reviews, you can make decisions on whether to apply for an internship at a specific company or not. You can filter out the internships based on your city name, profile, paid/unpaid listing, etc. This makes it easier to find the right opportunities.  

• Internshala

Internshala is counted among the top platforms for finding verified internships with the ability to apply for free. You can browse internships based on your location, profile, and category. The portal also has a search bar where you can enter your profile and search for relevant internships. 

While browsing, you can apply filters, like location, stipend, work from home/part-time, number of days, category, etc. Depending on your search criteria, it will show you results. You can view details and apply.  

3. Attend Job Fairs

Many companies like to recruit candidates for both internships and full-time jobs through off-campus drives. You will find plenty of such companies at job fairs. What you have to do is look out for the job fairs nearby along with their location and timings. 

Participate in as many job fairs as you can and keep yourself prepared for a quick introduction to various employers there. This is another easy way to hunt for internships during or after your college life. Since there will be numerous organizations recruiting at job fairs, you can decide which ones are the right for you and exactly where to apply and grab the opportunity.  

4. Contact Employers

If you want to land an internship opportunity in the city of your residence or any other specific city, then start by searching for the relevant companies. For example, if you want an internship as a web developer, then create a list of companies in the IT and development field that have offices in the city of your choice. 

Then search for those companies on Google to find their contact details, like a phone number or email address. Mostly, the company website will help you find these details. But if you find it difficult to find the contact details, you can also search for the company on LinkedIn. Once the list is ready, start contacting the employers directly to know whether they have vacancies for interns. 

Ensure that you are prepared to answer the common questions, like a brief introduction of yours, and some stuff related to your internship field. If they tell you that they will get back to you about it, then don’t forget to follow them up in a few days. Sometimes, they might miss out on your conversation. It is better to reconnect and follow up regarding it. If they ask to appear for a personal interview, visit them with full preparation.  

5. Use Your Network and Ask for Referrals

Don’t underestimate the power of networking. You might have a lot of friends, relatives, college faculty, etc. who can help you find the internship opportunity. If one of your friends works at an organization where that offers great opportunities to interns, then get in touch with that friend and ask for a referral. 

Also, keep your contacts updated that you are looking for an internship in a specific field like software development, IT, etc. So, when they come across any vacancy, they can let you know about it. Additionally, you should also connect with your college alumni and ask them where they did the internship. This can help you to know about good companies that accept interns. You never know which way works out best for you.  

When to Start Looking for College Internships?

Many students have this question what is the ideal time for starting an internship in college? Generally, most students start that in their senior year, as it helps them to find an ideal job after graduation. So if you are also eager to do internships in college then do keep these points in mind as they will definitely help you to make a proper decision:

• Start your search early and pay attention to deadlines 
• Start making networks from the first year in order to be on the safer side
• Keep a check on career options in your Freshman- and sophomore-year
• Summer internships are a good option where you can learn something new
• In the last year, you can go for commitments as they create a chance for full-time career opportunities. 

What are the Advantages of Starting an Internship in College?

Doing an internship in college gives you a lot of exposure as it is considered the requirement of m modern times. If a person has done an internship then they are considered to be experienced and it also helps them at the time getting a job. It makes your resume attractive along with, creating a boost in your career. Some of the other benefits of starting an internship in college are as follows:

• Learning numerous skills
• Being familiar with the office environment
• Getting gold of your liking and disliking in your career ahead
• Get proper on-job training from professionals
• Fewer problems in finding job opportunities after graduation
• Becoming more confident

Mistakes You Should Not Make While Searching for an Internship

Mistakes are common and doing them is human nature. But if you are looking for a job or internship then you have to be a bit cautious as your future depends on it. Therefore, these are a few common mistakes one should not make:

• Getting in touch with the wrong people.
• Do not wait till the last minute but apply for your dream job at the right time
• Not making an impressive resume and cover letter
• No research work before applying for the job
• Not preparing well for the interview
• Do not act unprofessional 
• Do not lose hope if said “NO”

Wrapping Up

These are a few of the best ways to hunt for internship opportunities as a college student. LinkedIn, Internshala, Google Search, Glassdoor, networking, and more ways mentioned above will definitely work for you and help you grab the right internship. Most of these ways assist you in landing your first job as well.