Everything You Need to Know About How to Land an Internship
So, you want to know tips for applying to internships? That’s great! There is a whole world open to you, which means there are many options and opportunities. However, it also means you have to find and choose between all these options. It can be difficult, especially if you are in the very first “I want to do an internship” phase.
I knew the day would come. The day that I would have to find the best advice for applying to internships. As usual, when I’m uncertain about or fear something, I have been procrastinating for a while. When I started my search for an internship, I really didn’t know where to start or what I wanted. Eventually, I got my applications done. And it mostly consisted of a CV and motivation letter. And I found my perfect internship quite quickly. As a Communications and Marketing Intern with Roots, I did my fair share of research into the questions and problems students are facing when searching for an internship. The result of my research is a step-by-step plan created to give you some of the best advice and tips for finding an internship abroad.
Step 1: Pindown Your Specific Interests
I know that a lot of students tend to look for an internship before they are aware of their personal interest. I was one of them. However, it will make your internship experience more enjoyable if you consider your interests and passions before you start looking. Working is not too bad after all when you like what you are doing.
First, we have to look at the “preconditions” for your internship. What do you study? And do you want or have to do an internship within your field of studies? Does your university want you to go abroad, or is that up to you? Check the requirements at your university. Knowing the requirements before you start googling will prevent disappointment if your dream internship doesn’t meet them.
After you set the preconditions, it’s time to think about your personal interests. Depending on what you study, of course, the choices for an industry or sector can be quite broad. If you are looking for a marketing internship, for instance, you could end up working for the automotive, fashion or film industries, and the list goes on. You could even try something completely different like a marketing internship with a wildlife conservation organization or an environmental business. Thinking about the industry will narrow down your options. Hence, it will become easier for you to make a decision.
Step 2: Figure Out Your Objectives
After you know your interests and your university’s requirements, think about what you want to get out of the internship. Why do you want to do an internship? What do you want to learn? What do you hope to achieve with the internship?
Setting objectives can help avoid bad internship experiences. Soon, you’ll realise that this is one of the best tips for finding an internship. Even if you are in desperate need of an internship, you need to always remember that if you don’t see the benefits for yourself and your growth, keep on looking. In the end, it is your experience and you want to get the most out of it. Furthermore, being aware of your objectives will be the perfect preparation for an interview with a company. You will leave a positive impression if you can communicate what you want and why you want it.
Do you want to work in an office sitting behind your laptop or do you want to work on the field? Especially NGOs offer the possibility to get active in their projects. For example, you can find yourself planting trees or playing with children next to your ordinary office work. Therefore, think about if you want to get involved lending a helping hand from time to time or if you prefer office work only.
Also, keep in mind that small organizations usually offer a more diverse set of tasks and independent working while bigger ones embellish your CV with a brand name that stands out. If you work for a big organization with several departments your tasks tend to be more focused on your function as an intern. Additionally, the competition for an internship with the big players is very high. Even if a brand name looks good on your CV it doesn’t promise a great internship experience. Therefore, check the opportunities offered by smaller organizations or start-ups as well.
Step 3: Where To Go?
The major question you have to ask yourself is whether you want to intern in your home country or abroad. Not sure yet? No problem. There are pros and cons to both options. Get started on your journey by using our best tips for finding an internship abroad.
Choosing to do an internship in your home country is a great stepping stone. Because you probably already know what to expect concerning the language and the work pace. You don’t have to readjust yourself too much. One of my teachers at university once told me, you are always more likely to find a job in your home country than in another country with a different language. I never really thought about it since I’m German, study in the Netherlands, and have been abroad a couple of times. He might be right, but since an internship is all about the experience, going abroad is worth a shot.
Interning abroad, you can benefit from different ways of working and meeting new cultures in and outside the office. Without any doubt, experiences abroad enhance your CV. In our globalized world, employers are searching for people with an understanding of different cultures and languages (even if you find a job in your home country after your studies).
Last but definitely not least, you can tick both interning and traveling off your bucket list! How about a safari after your internship or hiking Table Mountain on the weekends? Depending on your budget and time you can combine your professional working experience with traveling a few weekends, weeks or even months. And while being an intern, you get to see and experience a country as a local – not as a tourist.
FIND OUT MORE REASONS TO INTERN ABROAD
Step 4: Paid Or Unpaid?
This is often a matter of your personal budget prior to starting an internship. If you want to follow our tips for finding an internship, you’ll have to adapt your mindset. Earning money is nice, especially if you are a student. Before I started looking for internships, my goal was to get a paid internship. And this would help me save money for my semester abroad. However, I don’t regret doing an unpaid internship.
Maybe it was even a better decision. In an unpaid internship, you might not gain financially, but experiences are more valuable than money. And a fulfilling unpaid internship experience might one day help you get that dream paid job you are looking for.
Also, future employers are interested in the skills you have learned and your performance during the internship. They don’t care if you get paid or not. So, don’t eliminate unpaid options too quickly. Of course, you have to be able to finance yourself for the whole internship period. Therefore, make sure to get yourself very informed about what costs to expect for living, accommodation, etc., and if you can apply for funding. Sometimes universities support their students financially if they go abroad or meet other requirements. There are also other funding opportunities, offered by the government or companies that invest in young talents.
LEARN HOW TO FINANCE YOUR UNPAID INTERNSHIP
Step 5: For-Profit or Non-Profit?
There are two basic types of organizations, for-profit and nonprofit. These two often vary significantly in their goals, culture, and structure. If you decide to do an internship with a for-profit you are not guaranteed, but more likely to get paid. Usually, for-profit organizations tend to be more hierarchical than non-profits. Non-profits, as the name reveals, are not profit-driven. Their aim is to benefit society and/or the environment.
Often, nonprofits are associated with “volunteering”. As a result, many people don’t even think about an internship with a non-profit. However, many of these organizations offer academic internships, which are a form of ‘skills-based volunteering’. You can put your personal and academic skills into practice to make an impact. Even if you never thought about working for a non-profit organization, it can be inspiring and motivating to be surrounded by people who dedicate their work to making a difference.
Some of our best tips for finding an internship, start with you going back to your interests and objectives. Which organization type suits them? Are you doing the internship solely to earn money? Rather, look for a large for-profit that pays their interns. The same goes for people who need a lot of structure in their lives and authorities who guide them. Non-profits often have loose hierarchical structures, and the office culture is often a bit more relaxed. For your internship, it means that you can expect a more diverse set of tasks.
HAVE A LOOK AT OUR NGO INTERNSHIPS IN AFRICA!
Step 6: Intermediary or on Your Own?
By now, you should have a pretty good idea of what you are looking for. We’ve shared some great tips for finding an internship, and you should be at the stage where you’ve considered your interests and set your internship goals.
You have set preferences for a destination. Finally, you know the differences between for-profit and non-profit organizations and learned about the opportunities of paid and unpaid internships. Go ahead and start searching for an internship! When you start looking, you will probably notice some websites offer to help you find an internship for a fee. These websites are intermediaries specializing in matching interns with organizations.
Now you are probably asking yourself: Why would I pay for an internship? And I totally get it. However, before you immediately ignore intermediaries, hear me out! There are different kinds of intermediaries and, therefore also different price categories. So, firstly check what you will get in return for paying a fee. Generally, intermediaries offer a service that includes assistance with all your questions, finding accommodation, sorting your paperwork and logistics. Furthermore, they often help you with your visa applications, organize airport transfer and are there for you in case of any emergencies. You can basically lay back, get on the plane and start your internship.
It’s is your first time abroad or do you want to do an internship in an unfamiliar environment? In that case, it can be especially convenient to consult an intermediary. In addition to that, they can often even help with finding tailor-made internships for you! All you have to do is tell them your decisions from Step 1 to Step 5.
Ask Us for Advice!
When you want to go abroad, it usually makes more sense to look for assistance before making the big decision. And we’re here to help you along the way. You can always contact us directly to find out exactly what you need to get started. Or if you’re already keen to join one of our international partners for a nonprofit internship, we have a dedicated page that guides you through exactly how our Roots application process works.
Now that you know these tips for finding an internship, you are well-prepared to dive into your search for the right internship abroad. We wish you good luck finding an internship that does both — boost your career and satisfy your interests. Enjoy the experience and time abroad!
