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The internship series

Summer internships for college students

Looking for summer internship experience? Check out our tips and tricks for finding and applying to them.

Summer is the perfect time for college students to get some internship experience on their resume. Without the distraction of classes, you can fully immerse yourself in the summer internship experience. Summer internships are great for making lasting connections and learning both soft and hard skills.

Wondering how to start looking for and how to get a summer internship? Keep reading for tips and tricks on internships for summer 2021.

When should I start looking for summer internships?

If you want to secure an internship for the summer, it’s always better to start your research sooner rather than later. If there’s a certain company you want to intern for, definitely make an effort to look up their application process and when it starts.

How to find summer internships?

When searching for summer internships, entry-level or summer jobs near you, it’s always best to use the Handshake job filter and keyword search. Start by searching the available jobs and entering the job title, city you want to work in, or if you would like your summer jobs to be remote.

When should I apply for summer internships?

If you’re wondering when to apply for summer 2021 internships: the sooner that you apply, the better! If there’s a specific job you have in mind, start researching when they take applications and get in touch with them if you have questions about the process. A great time to start looking for summer 2021 internships might be during your winter or spring break as that will provide you with an ample amount of time to research and apply.

Many internships will ask for a resume, cover letter, and possibly a few letters of recommendation. It’s a great idea to prepare these documents now so you can save time and stress later!

What are the best summer internships for college students?

The “best” type of summer internship is always dependent on your major and interests.

If you're not quite sure where you want to apply, consider some of these great general summer internships:

  • Research Assistant Intern
  • Social Media Intern
  • Business Analyst Intern
  • Copywriting Intern
  • Marketing/PR Intern

Where should I apply for summer internships?

If you’re unsure and asking yourself “where can I apply for summer internships,” check out a few examples of companies that hire interns through Handshake.

Companies that hire interns:

  • Apple
  • Morgan Stanley
  • NBCUniversal
  • Ernst & Young LLP (EY)
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)

Can I get paid for summer internships?

Like all other internships, there are both paid and unpaid options available. Some summer internships will qualify for college credits and others will compensate you with pay. When researching internships, make sure you consider your needs and which option will be best for you!

How do I get a summer internship?

Companies hiring summer interns want to see that you’re conscious about how to translate your skills and characteristics to their position. You don’t need the most elaborate resume to wow them! Instead, look at the qualities they value and translate your experience to those characteristics.

What should I put on my resume for a summer internship?

Many places hiring entry-level employees are looking for similar keywords in resumes, but what makes the right candidate is listing the skills that make you stand out.

List your past experiences

Even if you’ve never held an official role before, you definitely have skills from past experiences you can offer. From mentorships, internships, to school projects that you did–there are always skills you can pull from your life that apply.

Six soft skills that might make you a better candidate on your resume:

  • Quick learner
  • Natural leader
  • Organized
  • Accountable
  • Detail oriented
  • Collaborative

Technical skills

If this won’t be your first internship, then you may have some technical skills from previous jobs to add to your resume. It’s always a good idea to mention that you have strong industry specific skills, know how to manage projects, or have had experience leading and also being a teamplayer.

What should I write in my cover letter for a summer internship?

Besides your resume, your cover letter is another chance to really sell yourself as a future employee.

Three things you should include in your summer internship cover letter:

  1. Previous experiences and how they apply to the role you are applying for
  2. Why you’re passionate/interested in working with them
  3. Specific examples of how you could contribute to their mission

Check out this article with proper formatting techniques and more in depth information about the perfect cover letter.

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