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When summer begins and your final term of the academic year is over at University, it’s easy to question, what next? Whilst, it’s good to take advantage of the break ahead of you before the new academic year, it’s also a great opportunity to gain some work experience. Summer internships may seem daunting and in fact intimidating, but in this guide we’re going to explore 5 ways that means you’ll secure a summer internship!
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In the UK, summer internships are short-term work experience placements that typically last between 8 to 12 weeks. This will usually take place between June – September when the person isn’t studying at university. They help students gain practical experience in a particular industry and give them the chance to work in a professional environment. It helps you network and learn new skills, as well as preparing you for the world of work once you graduate. It’s worth noting that not all internships will be paid, but most should be.
It’s easy to get lost in all the job searching so we’ve broken it down into 5 easy tips to help you find a great summer internship!
Before you start the endless searching through lists of internship positions available it’s important to know what you’re looking for first. Is there a specific company you’d like to work with, particular experience you want, or are you flexible? Knowing your needs will help you narrow down that endless list. Try creating a list of your requirements which you can then apply to the positions that you’re looking for. From this, begin making a note of each relevant role alongside their application deadlines, so that you can then order them chronologically.
It’s best to plan ahead when you’re considering applying for a summer internship. Don’t wait until summer begins to start applying! Many opportunities will arrive before then for you to apply to, and this will only increase once summer begins. Planning in advance, helps you save time and give you a rough timeline of the application process whether it’s during the summer or whilst you still have classes.
Do your research! Now that you know what you’re looking for in an internship, it’s best to keep updated with any companies that interest you and to check on what opportunities they may have available. Keep updated with these companies, and continue exploring similar companies that match your interest. It’s important to have a range of options available and to not try and limit yourself too much.
When researching it’s vital that you read the job descriptions and the necessary key skills for each role. This not only allows you to see if you fit a job’s requirements, but to also envision how you can demonstrate your skills in this internship. You’ll especially rely on your research when writing a cover letter and for future stages in the application process, whether it’s an assessment or interview.
Before applying, update your CV and overall application making sure that you’ve included everything. Some applications may ask for a cover letter too so it’s always best to have a rough template or plan for this. This is where you get to showcase your skills and expand on how your previous work experience makes you suited for this internship. Top tip: when writing your cover letter, have the job description for the internship out so that you can tailor your cover letter to that specific internship. This will ensure that you’ve highlighted some of the key skills asked for and you can show how you’re able to meet any responsibilities within the role and demonstrate these necessary skills through your previous work experience.
After applying, it’s possible that there will be more steps within the process with either an assessment, interview or even both. If this is happening alongside your studies it’s best to create a schedule to fit these timings in. For example, plan time around your lectures and classes to have interview preparation or time to complete an assessment. Make sure you note down what the key dates are for each of these so that you don’t miss the deadline! Naturally your schedule might become even busier especially if you apply to multiple internships, so it’s best to weigh your priorities and see how you’d aim to balance this alongside your studies. The process is one that requires patience and optimism, despite the rejections you may receive throughout your time applying. Just remember how you can learn from them and continue to move on.
Congratulations! You got a summer internship! Now what? Well, now the hard work begins. Depending on the summer internship you have you may be working longer hours than you’re used to. Make sure you get a good nights sleep and rest before your first big day. Remember, you’re there to learn. It’s okay to make mistakes. But also make sure you have fun! Get to know the people you’ll be working with, and most importantly, be kind and nice. You never know, they might offer you a graduate role once you finish university!
Overall, applying to summer internships can be a long and intimidating process. However, it provides you with a great learning experience on how application processes work for many job positions, which will certainly come in handy in the future.
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