Career Services, University of Pennsylvania

Internships
Finding an Internship

< Internships

Benefits of an Internship

Gain valuable work experience, learn new skills, and explore different career options.
Learn more about your skills, values and special talents, as well as likes and dislikes in a work environment.
Network and learn from professionals in the field(s) you are considering.
Obtain valuable work references for future employment - maybe even get a permanent job offer!

Getting Started

Make an appointment with a counselor. You can call Career Services to schedule a 30-minute appointment or stop by during "walk-ins" which last 15 minutes.
Attend a "How to Find an Internship" workshop sponsored by Career Services, as well as internship panels composed of current students who have already completed internships.
Prepare a resume and have your resume critiqued by a counselor at an appointment or through our "drop off" service. Resume Guides are available on-line to help you get started. Resume workshops are also held regularly.

Identify Possible Internship Sites

Review internship listings in PennLink, our jobs and internships database, which contains thousands of internships in a wide variety of fields and geographic locations.
Review internship books in the Career Services library.
Network with alumni in the Penn Career Network, as well as everyone else you can think of (friends, family, church members, friends' parents, parents' friends, professors, etc.)
Attend a Summer On-Campus Recruiting Orientation to learn how to utilize Penn's summer internship recruiting services. (Please note that mainly businesses participate in this service.)
Use the Penn Internship Network (available in the Career Services Office) which lists students willing to speak with others about their internship experiences.

Contacting Employers and Interviewing for Positions

Keep abreast of recruiters visiting campus to interview for interns through the Fortune system and On-Campus Recruiting Services. However, don't rely solely on On-Campus Recruiting, as it is very competitive and limited in the types of internships available. (Mainly internships in business-related fields are offered.)
Call prospective organizations for the name of the person to whom to send your resume and cover letter.
Prepare personalized cover letters to send with your resume to each organization. (Cover letter tips are available on our web page. You can also have a counselor critique your letters.)
Follow-up with organizations to schedule interviews and/or check the status of your candidacy.
Brush up on your interviewing skills. Review Career Services Interview Guides, attend an interviewing workshop and schedule a videotaped mock interview.

Additional Resources

Internet Internship Resources
Newsletters with Internship Listings (available at receptionist's desk in Career Services)