CAN’T FIND AN INTERNSHIP? Many companies and organizations are cutting back on the number of interns they are taking this summer, and students who have applied earlier this spring may have them sewn up. If you haven’t lined up one yet, it may be tough to find an internship with a company that has a well – established program or that has hosted interns previously.
In that case, we recommend you design your own internship by approaching a company for whom you would like to work and selling them on your ability to contribute to their organization as an intern. This will probably be an unpaid position, but nevertheless requires a good deal of thought, self-knowledge and company-knowledge to put together a proposal. Remember, it’s not just what you will get out of it (experience) but what you can contribute by being a part of the team.
Marin Bendoritis, a May 2010 Political Science graduate, shared her experience in securing her desired internship:
“I have known that I wanted to be involved with disability advocacy since starting college and in my sophomore year I wanted an internship. None of the internships offered by Penn State fit my desired career, so I researched firms in the Harrisburg area and found The Arc of PA. I could not find any information on internships on their website, so I placed a call. The secretary told me that they do not take interns, and had in the past but had bad experiences and do not wish to have any interns. I told her of my wish to become a disability advocate, rattled off my credentials, and she referred me to the Executive Director. After a few e-mails with him, he agreed to meet with me. We spoke and he accepted me as an unpaid intern.
I interned about 20 hours a week, and basically made my own job. Since the office consists of only the secretary, Executive Director, 2 lobbyists and one public relations person, I was able to work on a variety of issues. Since I had experience with newspapers and writing, I was put in charge of the newsletter, attended meetings, and helped with planning the Annual Advocacy Day. I was able to learn a lot, and mostly pick and choose which projects to work on. I left the internship, and have still maintained contact with everyone in the office, and hope to work there after graduation. The advice I would give anyone looking to make their own internship is to sell yourself. Many places do not think interns can be useful, or they may think you are there just to make photocopies. You will make copies, but you will also learn a lot, which is more valuable than money. If you do not have a lot of experience, show your willingness to work and your passion for the organization, and make sure to do background research, as you would when seeking any job. Just do not give up, an internship is a symbiotic relationship, you will help them, and they will help you.”