Finding an Internship
Benefits of an Internship
- Gain valuable work experience and learn new skills.
- 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!
Return to Top
Getting Started
Make an appointment with a counselor. You can call Career Services to schedule an appointment or stop by during "walk-ins" which last 15 minutes. See "Connect with Us" for times and locations.
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. These workshops and panels will occur in January and February. See our calendar for times and locations.
Prepare a resume. Resume Guides are available on-line to help you get started. Have your resume critiqued by a counselor at an appointment or through our "drop off" service.
Return to Top
Identify Possible Internship Sites
Review internship listings on Penn's Online Internship Database; these internship listings represent a wide variety of fields and geographic locations. You may also want to check out PennLink, which lists additional internships.
Review internship books in the Career Services Library. (See selected list of resources below.)
Network with alumni in the Penn Alumni Career Network (PACNet) , 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 internships in business-related or computer fields are offered.)
Use the Career Services Penn Internship Network, a database of students willing to speak with others about their internship experiences.
Return to Top
Contacting Employers and Interviewing for Positions
Keep abreast of recruiters visiting campus to interview for interns through the PennLink system. 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 and computer 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 at Career Services or 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.
Attend an Interviewing Workshop and schedule a videotaped mock interview.
Return to Top
Internet Internship Resources
|
Visit this site for Penn’s and other internship links, information on how to make an appointment with a counselor, workshop schedules, and resume and cover letter tips. |
|
Terrific site sponsored by the Center for Education at the University of California - Irvine. |
|
Features nonprofit internships by region and industry. |
|
Includes internship opportunities posted specifically for Penn students. |
|
Research opportunities for undergraduates. |
|
Internships and research opportunites in science and engineering. |
Return to Top
Suggested Reading in the Career Services Library
America's Top Internships: Princeton Review
American Advertising Federation (AAF) Internship Directory
Directory of International Internships: World of Opportunity
Guide to Volunteer & Internship Programs in Public Broadcast
Internship Bible
Internships (Peterson's)
National Directory of Art Internships
National Directory of Internships
Student Guide to Mass Media Internships
Summer Theatre Directory
Washington (DC) Internships in Law and Policy
Washington, DC: International Affairs Internships
Return to Top
