NEWS & BLOG
College and Job Prep 101: A “How-To” on Internships
Internships are an integral part of helping students get ready to enter the work force… but they are confusing to navigate. We’ll give you some tips and tricks on how to find an internship and make the most out of it.
If there’s one thing that I am sure that almost every single high-school and college age student has heard, it’s the following: internships are key! But with that tidbit of information, we are always left with another question… how do we get internships? Between homework, extracurriculars, home and personal life, and everything in between, students are often left with very little room to explore job or learning opportunities. But, with the right schedule and strategic planning, you can use internships to help you gain meaningful experience in an area of interest, as well as save up some money for your college education!
Finding the Right Fit
So where do you start? When I was searching for an internship, I first created a criteria of non-negotiables for me at the time. These include internships that were:
- Pertaining to my degree and area of interest.
- Local.
- Flexible with my college schedule.
To help you create a list of non-negotiables, sit down and plot out your current schedule. Do you take multiple classes in one day, or do you have clubs or extracurriculars that have specific meeting days? How long does your homework typically take you in one evening? Would you prefer to pursue a summer internship and take a break from classes to focus your attention to on-the-job training? These questions will help you create a feasible schedule that will help guide your job-searching strategy.
Tip: Don’t forget to take personal time into consideration too. Things like meal time, workouts, personal and family life, and activities are all a part of your daily routine as well. A work-life balance is important, especially with the stress of high school or college.
Where do you find internships?
Now that you have an idea of non-negotiables and of your schedule, you can start your job search. Students that are looking for internships have multiple options for finding jobs. There are internship databases, job search websites, and summer/winter programs that can help you find the right fit.
If you are a NYC student attending SUNY or CUNY colleges: check your school’s website to see if your school has a department dedicated to career engagement and internships. These vital programs help current students to find internships that will help them gain valuable experience, while also helping students to:
Create substantive resumes
Write engaging cover letters
Collect and submit letters of recommendation
Compile portfolios
And much more!
CUNY Schools with Career Engagement Centers:
1. Baruch College – Starr Career Development Center
2. Borough of Manhattan Community College – Internships and Experiential Learning
4. Brooklyn College – Magner Career Center
5. College of Staten Island – Center for Career and Professional Development
6. Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism – Career Services
7. CUNY Graduate Center – Career Planning and Professional Development
8. CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy – Career Services
9. CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies – Student Services Center
10. CUNY School of Law – Career Center
11. Guttman Community College – Career Success and Workforce Development
12. Hostos Community College – Career Services
13. Hunter College – Career Center
14. John Jay College of Criminal Justice – Career Building and Job Search
15. Kingsborough Community College – Career Development
16. LaGuardia Community College – Career Development Center
17. Lehman College – Career Services Center
18. Macaulay Honors College – Internship and Research Opportunities
19. New York City College of Technology – Career Center
20. Queens College – Center for Career Engagement and Internships
21. Queensborough Community College – Office of Career Services
22. The City College of New York – Career Prep
23. York College – Career Services
If you’re a SUNY student, please visit the SUNY Works page to learn more about how you can get support to help you find internships.
Use all of the resources your schools give you for your job search! This support will be integral in helping you develop a work/life/school balance that works for you.
Job-search Websites
There are various job-search platforms that can help you filter internships by location, pay, career-type, benefits, and much more. These websites will allow you to upload your information, like resumes and letters of recommendation, and allow you to apply to different jobs and keep track of those applications in one place.
Some of the websites* that you can use to start your job/internship search are:
*This list will continuously be updated with new job search databases.
Note: These websites can also help you find part-time jobs. When you’re saving for college and can’t find an internship just yet, look into part-time jobs! Work directly with your employer to figure out a work schedule that works with your class schedule.
Compensation: Cash or College Credits?
There are many different types of internships—some offer monetary compensation in the form of an hourly wage or a stipend granted at the end of the internship or over small payments. But, there are also some internships that offer something just as valuable: college credits! While these forms of compensation can intersect, you should consider which form best suits your situation!
NYC High Schoolers: Get a head start!
There are a few programs for high school students looking to get experienced and start saving up early. This is an amazing opportunity for you to learn valuable hard and soft skills that will prepare you for both college and the workforce, as well as for you to earn some money to save toward your college education.
Some of these programs include:
Summer Youth Employment Program
The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is the nation’s largest youth employment program, connecting NYC youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience each summer.
Through SYEP, participants can explore different interests and career pathways, develop productive workplace habits, and engage in learning experiences that strengthen their social, civic, and leadership skills.
By participating in structured projects and work-based opportunities, NYC youth are better prepared for careers of the future.
NYC Ladders for Leader
NYC Ladders for Leaders is a nationally recognized program that offers outstanding high school and college students the opportunity to participate in paid professional summer internships with leading corporations, non-profit organizations, and government agencies in New York City. By hiring Ladders for Leaders interns, employers are matched with job-ready applicants that have been vetted and trained. Students undergo a competitive application process, and receive 30 hours of pre-employment training.
Ladders for Leaders is a component of NYC’s Summer Youth Employment Program, the nation’s largest summer jobs program.
Summer Internship Program
The NYC Summer Internship Program provides over 100 accessible summer intern job postings at City agencies to college students currently enrolled, graduating, and recent graduates.
In addition to gaining experience working for the City of New York, SIP interns are also offered opportunities for professional development, training, as well as guidance on civil service employment.
Learn and Earn
The Learn & Earn Program (Formerly the In-School Youth Program) is a career exploration and academic support program for high school juniors and seniors. The program provides participants with academic support, college application assistance, work readiness training, service learning and leadership activities, as well as a paid six-week summer internship. Learn & Earn is for high school juniors and seniors who meet certain eligibility requirements.
Some important tips and tricks about Internships that you should know.
The Importance of Networking:
Something that I struggled with when I was in college was forming a reliable network of like-minded professionals in my field of choice. It’s important to remember that one of the strongest skills that any young professional should have in their arsenal is networking! You can:
Use your school resources: Talk to your school-funded career counselors and attend career fairs!
Build a LinkedIn profile and maintain a social media presence: Highlight your skills, join industry groups, and connect with professionals and alumni.
Tap alumni networks: Reach out for advice or informational interviews post-grad, and keep in touch with fellow alum.
Join relevant clubs: Get involved, and aim for leadership roles to build connections.
Attend industry Events: Look for student-friendly conferences, workshops, and networking events.
Leverage personal networks: Ask family, friends, and professors for potential leads – let everyone know you’re looking for an internship, and make sure that you keep in touch!
Stay in touch: Follow up with connections regularly to keep relationships active and engaged.
The bottom line is that you should stay up to date with all of those opportunities, especially in a particularly difficult job market. Future you will thank you for all of that hard work.
Interview Preparation:
Research the company: One of the first things that you should do when preparing for an interview is to KNOW your future employer. Know the company’s mission, products, services, culture, and recent news. Be ready to connect your goals to theirs.
Understand the role: Read through the job posting and make sure that you know what the responsibilities are, and highlight the skills you have that align. How can you be an asset to the company, and what experiences set you apart?
Practice common questions: You should research common questions that are asked during interviews and lay out what you think your responses would be. In turn, also consider what questions you would like to ask your interviewer. Ask about team culture, goals for interns, and potential projects.
Professionalism: Remember – be the very best version of yourself! Keep yourself professional and neat, be friendly and accommodating, and show up on time! A professional attitude leaves a lasting impression.
Tip: Ask if there is a possibility for full time employment based on your performance during your internship! This shows dedication, and that you are ready to give it your all.
How to make the most of your internship:
It is so important to remember that internships are temporary and primarily designed for gaining experience and preparing for the workforce. Keep in touch with mentors, send thank-you notes to those who supported you, and maintain connections with industry contacts to make sure you have access to future opportunities.
Final Notes
Internships and the experience they offer students are invaluable to future prospects and personal professional development. My internship and part-time jobs through high school and college helped me learn valuable skills like teamwork, time management, organization, and so much more that I have brought into the workforce post-grad.
Take advantage of these programs and of the support that your schools can offer you for your career and professional development. Remember: like we always say, you aren’t alone in this fight!
For more resources, tips and tricks, and tools that will help you in your college planning journey, visit our Resources for Future Students page.
