I just finished a 2-month internship at a small Philadelphia start-up company. They sell detergent (yeah, you're probably thinking that's not too exciting but let me tell you that I had a great time). It was an invaluable experience. Make sure to get some internships under your belt before you graduate but by all means don't rush!! Here are a couple of pointers:
- Relax! Whether you're still in the application process or have already been accepted, there is work-stress attitude that exists within university walls. Students have this vision that they have to land the perfect job as soon as they graduate and so they have to get experience as soon as they set foot on campus. I'm a rising junior and my freshman year I didn't do anything. I took all the summer off. I just wanted to experience a 3-4 month summer- I relaxed, traveled, visited family and friends etc. Basically, everything that I couldn't do during the year. And this year I found an internship. It was no easy task but it also wasn't impossible. My experience coming into the job was what I had done during the year at Penn. And also my experience during high school- yes, that counts for the first few years in university!
- For your first internships consider applying for positions in smaller companies/organizations. That way you'll have more responsibilities. Of course, there will be the administrative duties but you'll have the opportunity to get more involved. I assure you. I worked in a 5-person company and I got to do everything- speaking with customers, processing shipments, designing marketing campaigns and having lunch with the CFO.
- Don't think that you have to have a job waiting for you once you graduate. It's OK not to have one. These days people are always changing careers and nothing is set in stone. Don't be afraid to graduate and still be in the search process. Believe me, you will find something. It will just take some time.
- If you're international, don't let US regulations put you down. Yes, it is harder for international students to land an internship. That's normal; you're in a foreign country. But it's also not impossible. Especially if you're willing to work for little or no money. And at you're age you can afford to do that at least once.
For those of you heading to Penn this coming fall, best of luck with course selection. Don't be discouraged if you don't get in all your classes. You'll always find something else if you search. The course register may become a very good friend if you use it well. I never got my first choice course but I always managed (up to now) to get into courses I liked or found interesting.
Cya soon!
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