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Effective strategies for finding internship opportunities

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As a university student or a recent graduate, you're eager to gain practical, hands-on experience to complement the theoretical knowledge you acquired during your studies. Internships offer a unique opportunity to apply what you've learned in real-world settings so you can develop your skills and expertise even further. These opportunities also offer a chance to network with professionals in the industry and establish helpful connections.

In this guide, we cover effective strategies for finding internship opportunities. We examine various methods for locating and securing internship programs, including online platforms, student networking events, career fairs, and university career services, all to help you locate the perfect opportunity to jumpstart your career.

Use Online Platforms

Online platforms provide a convenient and effective way for students to find internship opportunities. While these platforms often provide an array of roles to consider, you can narrow down your options and make the search easier by looking for industry-specific internships that align with your background and interests.

Some online platform examples include:

  • Job boards: Visit popular job search websites such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn. Use keywords related to your desired field to find relevant listings.
  • Industry-specific platforms: Look for niche job boards or websites tailored to specific industries. These platforms may feature specialized internship opportunities that align with your career interests.
  • Company websites: Find the career pages of companies you're interested in directly. Some organizations may post internship openings on their websites instead of job boards.
  • Professional networking websites: Create a strong personal profile on LinkedIn and other relevant social media platforms to connect with professionals in the same field. Join relevant groups and follow company pages to stay updated on their internship openings and industry trends.
  • Government sites: You may find applicable internships available through the federal government. The Pathways Program offers three internship programs for current students and recent graduates.
  • Your school's career website: Many universities and colleges have partnerships with local organizations to offer internship opportunities to their students. Search your school's website to learn more, or speak with an academic advisor to find out what roles might be available to you.

Consult University Resources

Universities and colleges often have established relationships outside campus and access to exclusive internship resources. Your academic institution can help you prepare for your future with career advice and contacts, so use these resources to your advantage.

  • Career services office: You can visit your university's career services office for career counseling, internship listings, interview preparation workshops, and even resume building tips.
  • Alumni network: Reach out to alumni through your university's alumni association or networking events. These individuals can provide guidance and mentorship and potentially refer you to internship opportunities.
  • Faculty connections: Build relationships with professors in your field of interest. They may have industry connections, be aware of internship opportunities that align with your career goals, or provide guidance in your search.

Attend Career Fairs and Networking Events 

Many companies use career fairs and networking events as a way to recruit interns and entry-level employees. Networking and attending career fairs for students requires a bit more time and effort than other methods, but it can result in finding a great opportunity you wouldn't have found online.

At the very least, putting yourself and your resume out there can help you build a professional network that lasts your entire career. Networking events are ideal for expanding your professional network and staying informed about industry trends. You can learn first-hand how to tailor your applications and prepare for interviews.

Networking events for students typically include:

  • On-campus events: Participate in on-campus career fairs to meet recruiters and learn about their internship programs.
  • Industry events: Attend industry-specific events and conferences to network with professionals and explore internship options.
  • Virtual events: Sign up for virtual career fairs and networking events to connect with potential employers.

Use Social Media Effectively

Social media can be a powerful tool for anyone wanting to kickstart their career. Follow these social media strategies in your internship search:

  1. Optimize your profiles: Ensure your social media profiles, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, are up-to-date and professional and highlight your skills and interests relevant to your desired internship.
  2. Follow companies: Follow organizations you want to work for on different platforms. Many companies post internship openings and updates on their social media pages.
  3. Join social media groups: Join relevant industry groups and communities on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Reddit. These groups can help you stay informed about internship opportunities, trends, and networking events.
  4. Use the correct hashtags: Look at posts under relevant hashtags related to your field of interest on platforms like Twitter and Instagram. This approach can help you discover internship leads and connect with other professionals in your industry.
  5. Engage with content: Comment on and share industry-related posts. Engaging with relevant content can increase your online visibility and help you build connections.

Apply for an Internship Opportunity at Intuitive

At Intuitive, we envision a future of health care that's less invasive and profoundly better. If you're someone with plenty of motivation and a desire to innovate with a purpose, we're excited for you to prove what's possible. Intuitive has a wide variety of internships at varying levels within engineering, design, research, IT, human resources, finance, and marketing. 

View our current internship opportunities to apply today, or join our Talent Community so we can keep you informed about new job openings and company news.