Have you begun to apply for internships yet? Even if you have, do you know how to search properly for internships in your field? Not every internship that you come across is right for you, and it is important to know the difference between a good internship and a bad one.
Searching For Internships
Internships are very important because they are the start of your career, in a sense. You always want to make sure that your search is thorough, no matter what your major/ minor is. Towson senior Tosin Motajo recommends that you should always start your search to get ahead of the competition and to be able to plan for the future. You never want to wait until the last minute to apply for an internship because that shows the employer that you aren’t very proactive; in addition, spots fill up fast, so it’s possible you miss an opportunity. Tosin also offered the suggestion of looking beyond the job description and doing more research on the culture of the company to ensure that it is indeed a good match for you. Being comfortable in your work environment is very important regarding your success with the company.
Another Towson senior, Reggie Ware, stated that he felt that the different databases such as Handshake and LinkedIn are also very helpful when conducting your internship search. Being able to personalize your search based on your requirements allows you to match up perfectly with different employers, which leads to a higher percentage of success. Reggie also suggests that you aim for companies that tend to partner with Towson University. Again, this raises your success rate for getting the internship, as well as excelling in the position. A good way to get to know some of the companies that Towson partners with is by attending career fairs; they are a great networking opportunity that allows you to talk to various employers and get your name into the circuit.
All of these tips are helpful when searching for internships whether they are required or not. Remember that internships are a major part of your career advancement and that you should always take them seriously.
Enjoy your break Tigers!
By: David Dasher
