Although many encourage students to seek paid internships with academic institutions, the reality is that many internships offer valuable experiences in fields that don’t have the financial means to cover their interns’ tuition and housing costs. The “pay” usually comes in the form of low wages or benefits provided by the employer. Many students report working at companies that don’t offer any benefits and have been able to survive on less than minimum wage (or worse). However, students need to realize that they need to “sell” themselves and their stories to employers – in the same way that job hunters need to sell themselves and their resumes to real-world hiring managers.
The fact is that the best way for students to find paid internships or work experience is to network with students enrolled in the same academic program, often via the university’s alumni website. Such websites allow current students to connect with former classmates.
Additionally, employers tend to post their opportunities for full-time and part-time positions, meaning that even students interested in attending college full-time may still be able to receive a “job offer” from businesses. However, many internship seekers find that the best sources for finding a full-time internship – if they’re serious about making this a reality – are universities that offer internships and part-time employment.
Thus, students need to remember that finding a paid internship isn’t necessarily easy. While some companies allow for “volunteering” or internships within their structure, these are generally few and far between.
Students interested in attending college and obtaining a paid internship will usually have difficulty finding a place on campus to pursue such a goal. However, networking on campus and online via various alumni websites can prove to be a valuable resource.
ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter is a coach who worked as a recruiter for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves career coaching, all as well as executive job search coaching, job coaching, and interview coaching. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with more than 2100 episodes, and is a member of The Forbes Coaches Council.
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