Key considerations for a successful internship experience

1. Set your internship goals

Understand what you hope to achieve through an internship. Is it gaining specific skills, exploring a particular industry area, building a professional network or gaining more experience? Think about how the internship aligns with your long-term career goals.

Example: You are pursuing a degree in marketing and you want to gain hands-on experience in digital marketing, such as social media management and content creation. Your long-term career goal might be to become a marketing manager. Look for an internship that offers exposure to campaign development and data analytics.

Action: Write down 3 specific internship objectives aligned with your long-term career goals.

2. Decide on your program duration

Decide whether you want a summer, semester or year-long internship, each has its benefits.

• Summer internship
  • great for gaining experience without interrupting your studies.
• Semester-long internship
  • allows for deeper immersion and learning, often integrated with academic credit and required by universities.
• Year-long internship
  • ideal for building skills and networking as a “placement year” if required by your university or as an opportunity for enhancing your CV/resume immediately after completing your degree.

Example: You are a student majoring in environmental science who hopes to work in environmental policymaking. Your university has a semester-long internship requirement for graduating. Consider looking for a government agency domestically or internationally that could provide experience in policy development for 4-5 months and can meet your university requirements to get the credit.

Action: Decide which internship duration benefits your goals and schedule.

3. Consider your timing

Consider the best time to take on an internship based on your academic schedule, personal commitment and career plans. Plan your timeline accordingly.

• Summer internships - Start your search at least six months in advance as many companies have early deadlines and a competitive selection process.
• Semester-long internships - Begin planning 1- 2 semesters ahead to ensure it meets academic requirements and find the best opportunities.
• Year-long internships - Allow yourself ample time, starting the search as early as a year in advance to find the right match and figure out the practicalities.

Pro tip: If you are pursuing an international internship, allow sufficient time for your visa process and relocation.

Example: You are studying computer science and planning to do a summer internship. Starting your search in November or even earlier allows you to apply to competitive tech companies.
Action: Mark your calendar for key application deadlines based on your preferred internship duration.

4. Identify your location preferences

Choosing the right location for your internship can shape your experience and open up new opportunities.

Chose between a domestic or an international internship

• Domestic internship - easier to manage logistically, familiar with local work culture, a chance to build a network close to where you may seek full-time employment.
• International internship: an opportunity to learn about global business practices and significantly enhance your CV / resume while exploring new culture and living abroad.

Identify key location factors Think about the industry hubs for your field, cost of living and personal preferences for big city or smaller towns / cities. If you are looking at embarking on an international internship, before you start the search, make sure that you are eligible for the right visa you’ll need in the UK or USA.

Example: You are majoring in finance and want to have a more personalised experience in New York, a major financial hub. Look into smaller companies that are known for their company culture and start your search early. Alternatively, consider looking for companies in Charlotte, North Carolina (major banking hub in U.S.), Minneapolis, Minnesota (known for having a robust financial services industry), or Richmond, Virginia (home of Capital One’s headquarters).

Action: List your top 5 location preferences.

5. Consider practical aspects

Understand what practical aspects are critical for your internship success.

• Degree considerations Do you need to have a college credit that requires specific training rotations and skill development
• Compensation and benefits Do you need to have a paid internship to make the opportunity financially viable or are you able to invest in an unpaid placement that helps you advance your career goals
• Internship program eligibility Consider eligibility criteria for internship programs, such as age limits, prior experience and academic qualifications needed. If you are pursuing an international internship, research visa requirements specific to your destination and program.

Example: Your main internship goal is earning academic credit for your degree. Look for an internship that offers structured training and specific skill development.

Action: Identify your must-have requirements for an internship.

Taking the time to plan your internship carefully will set you up for a fulfilling experience that aligns with your career goals. Remember, each step you take brings you closer to an opportunity that helps you grow and succeed. Good luck and enjoy the journey!

To keep you on track with your internship opportunities, download JENZA’s Internship goal planner to capture your thoughts. This is a great way to keep you on track and you should keep checking in with your planning journal throughout your internship search.