Summer Daze

It may seem like a long ways off, but in internship terms summer is right around the corner. So how do find the right one?

I have been fairly lucky in this area because the internships have sort of found me. This isn’t always the case though. Of course there are always resources such as the Career Service Office and Career Fairs, but a good network of professionals in your field can help too.

When I say that my internships have “found me” I simply mean that all of my internships have come from and existing connection I had with someone in my field. When you work to build a reputation with people already doing the type of job you would like to have, they are more likely to think of you first when looking for an intern.

Making these connections is as simple as sending an email or showing interest in a current event that is affecting the industry you would like to be a part of. My role as a journalist made this easier because it was common for me to seek out professionals in the agriculture industry and ask them about their expertise. This creates a win-win situation. The student gets an answer to their question and the professional finds a potential future employee.

There are many ways to make these connections. Some obvious ones are going to Career Fairs or trade shows that you know the company you are interested in will have representatives at. The important thing to remember is to do your homework. Learn something about the company so you have something to talk to the representative about once you meet them. This can be particularly handy if you are looking for an internship outside of your major. They may not think that a person in your line of study could bring value to their company, but showing them you have an interest in the company and related issues can prove them otherwise.

The most important thing you learn from researching a company or internship will do is help you decide if it is the right one for you. Most students only have three summers to spend interning. That doesn’t leave much time to spend working somewhere that doesn’t suit you. So if do your homework and get to know professionals in your field, maybe the right internship will “find” you.

-Taryn Dameron

Agricultural Education, graduate student
Agricultural Journalism, December 2008 graduate

Don't miss the chance to make these important connections at the upcoming Career Fairs for Hospitality and Ag & Life Sciences on February 25. Visit CAFNR Career Services for more information!