As an undergraduate, if you’re trying to secure an internship in your field of interest but your volunteering experience and that one internship you got through a reference at the start of university aren’t aligning with your career goals, you’re at the right place!
Sometimes students find themselves in a difficult position when they have to decide which field to pursue, even after countless career guidance sessions. This indecisiveness results in students spending their four university years “exploring” what they want to do with their careers. Random internships are often a part of this confusion. And while exploration through diverse experiences (be it volunteering or remote internships) proves valuable for freshers and sophomores building foundational experience and discovering where your interests actually lie, your later years demand strategic alignment. By junior and senior year, their internships should connect directly to their career goals. Otherwise, it’s like rowing two boats headed in opposite directions and getting nowhere.
Below, you’ll find actionable steps to help you identify and secure the right opportunities that will actually advance your professional journey.
Know What You Want
Know where you want to see yourself in the next ten or fifteen years. What is that seemingly unapproachable dream job you’d love to do? Note that the word “job” here doesn’t have to mean traditional employment, it could be your own business, an executive position at a Fortune 500 company, or simply moving abroad and living independently there.
Having a clear vision brings clarity to your goals and objectives. You’ll know where you want to be at the end of your journey and can figure out how to get there. Gen Z is mostly “going with the flow,” and this approach works, until it drains your energy and time while leaving you standing in the same spot.
Construct a Roadmap
Having a destination with no way to get there doesn’t make sense. In your early university years, exploring through diverse internships is valuable, it helps you test different waters and set your foot in the corporate door. But as you progress into your junior and senior years, it’s time to streamline your experiences toward a clear direction.
This is where internship strategy becomes essential. To build meaningful corporate exposure that actually advances your career, you’ll need targeted internships at companies – both small and large, that align with your goals. Your approach should be this:
1. Choose an Industry
Select the industry you’re most interested to work in, whether it’s automobiles, textile, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, or something else entirely. Pick the field you feel inclined toward and equip yourself with basic knowledge so you understand how things work. This will help you with applications and interviews.
Remember, knowledge is power, and it’s not just a quote.
2. Research Companies in That Industry
Look up the companies actively working in your chosen industry, from giants to small startups. It often happens that in pursuit of large corporations, we overlook businesses that offer the best employment packages and workplace culture. Do not overlook small-to-medium businesses, they frequently offer more responsibility, mentorship, and skill-building opportunities that make you competitive for larger corporate roles.
3. Track Application Dates
Note the internship application opening and closing dates. Half the time, students don’t land internships because they didn’t know when applications went live and deadlines passed. You don’t want to make the same mistake.
4. Leverage Your Network
Think about any connections with alumni, seniors, academic professors, or professionals that may prove helpful for certain positions. These networks will guide you in the right direction and may even help with the application process.
5. Create Your Internship Tracker
Keep track of all the above points in an Excel Internship Tracker. Organize your workbook by industry, list the companies, create columns for opening and closing dates, add a dropdown menu for your application status, note any helpful references, and include a column evaluating how well each opportunity aligns with your specific career goals.
6. Apply Strategically
Your final task is to apply thoughtfully and wait to hear back. Quality over quantity, tailor each application to show you understand what the role requires and why you’re a fit.
Where to Find Internships
Platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and company career pages should be your main sources for information and applications. Beyond that, joining communities of youth-focused platforms like The TalentBeacon (a youth focused platform connecting students with exciting career opportunities) and Inspiring Women (an organization providing opportunities for young girls) can help you discover diverse opportunities.
You can also search for available opportunities through:
- University placement offices and career portals
- Hiring agencies specializing in your field
- Career fairs and networking events
- Industry-specific job boards
- Professional associations in your target industry
- Alumni networks and informational interviews
The Bottom Line
So next time you’re looking for internships, break down your research into manageable steps, organize and strategize them, and climb the ladder to your dream job. Strategic planning beats aimless exploration every time, and your future self will thank you for it.
