Securing an internship can feel very overwhelming! This guide can help you in your search. If you have any further questions, contact our office by emailing comms_internship@byu.edu or calling 801-422-5836.
1. FINDING
- Narrow down what you are looking for:
- Where do you want to intern? Think about places it would be feasible for you to live. Do you have a grandparent in Texas? An old mission companion in D.C.? While internships in New York City or San Francisco can be great, you should be mindful of housing costs in the location of your internship. Since many internships are for college credit and not cash, you’ll want to find a place that you can reasonably live and survive without taking out another loan. Don’t be afraid of the great opportunities you might find here in Utah.
- What kind of internship do you want? Is there a certain skill you want to learn? A field you’re interested in getting into, like healthcare or fashion? Answering these questions can help start you in the right direction.
- Start searching:
- Take advantage of resources available to you:
- Communications Jobs Board: We post new opportunities on this page whenever companies reach out to us.
- Church Communication Internships Interested in interning abroad? Check out our full-time internships in Germany and New Zealand.
- Handshake: You can filter by location, key word, part-time/full-time, etc, to find an internship that fits your preferences.
- Look up companies you’re interested in. Look up websites’ career pages and HR contacts for the agencies/organizations/businesses you are interested in. Check out university job sites in the area, as well. As you become familiar with the company ahead of time, you can narrow your search to places that have the office culture/environment you’re looking for. Being familiar with a company before you interview also gives you a leg up on your competition.
- Network! Ask your friends, family and co-workers if they know of anyone looking for a(n) ____ intern. Be professional throughout all your communications and requests, but never be afraid to tell people you’re looking for an internship. Have you inquired with those on your social media network? People are always wanting to help their friends. If you have family/friends in Arizona, start by asking them if they know of anything!
- Come to our office! We would love to let you know about opportunities that have come our way.
- Take advantage of resources available to you:
2. PREPARING
- Research the company and position. Before you apply, make sure to get as much information about the position and application as possible. The more you know, the more you can cater your resume, cover letter, and portfolio to fit the needs of your potential employers.
- Perfect your application. Have several people look over your application materials to ensure there are no typos. Find resources to improve your resume and cover letter through the University Career Services website. You can also go to their office at 2590 WSC for resume and cover letter critiques and mock interviews.
3. APPLYING
- Apply! The odds of securing an internship go up significantly when you apply to several opportunities. Make sure you are not sending a generic letter/resume to every single employer. Tailor your materials to each employer and be careful that you’re not sending cover letter “A” to employer “B.”
- Be professional and patient. Do not hastily email the potential employer or pester them for an interview. Finding interns is the last thing on their mind and you have to respect that. ALWAYS BE PROFESSIONAL!
- Interview with confidence. Be sure to represent yourself well to your potential future employer. A firm handshake, well groomed hair and professional attire are all things you can be judged on before you even open your mouth. Tips on how to dress for an interview, commonly asked interview questions, and other helpful resources are available here.
- Follow up. If interviewed, be sure to send a “Thank-you” note within 24 hours. Hand-written is great, but at the very least, an email. If you are not contacted by the company within 10 days of the application deadline, call or email to check on the status of your application. If the position has been filled, be gracious and ask about other opportunities within the company or how you could improve for future applications.