Finding an internship can be challenging, but with the right approach, it can become an exciting and rewarding experience. Internships offer an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience, learn new skills, and make valuable connections that can help you in your future career (and the best part is that some of them are paid). In this post, I will share some valuable tips to help you find an internship.
Join LinkedIn groups
LinkedIn is one of the best platforms for networking and finding job opportunities. One way to find internships is to join LinkedIn groups related to your field of interest. Many of these groups have members who share job postings and internship opportunities, which can help you find the right opportunity for you. Additionally, some groups may have WhatsApp groups where members share vacancies, so be sure to keep an eye out for those as well.
Follow organisations on Facebook
Another helpful platform for finding internship opportunities is Facebook. Many companies and organisations have Facebook pages where they post job opportunities, including internships. By following the organisations you are interested in, you can stay up-to-date on their latest posts and be the first to know when internship opportunities are available.
Look for Twitter threads and users that share internship information
By searching for hashtags related to internships or following users who focus on sharing that information, you can find job postings and internship opportunities that you may not have found otherwise.
Join company newsletters
Many companies have newsletters that they send out to subscribers. By subscribing to these newsletters, you can be the first to know when they have internships available. This can give you a competitive advantage over other candidates who may not be aware of the opportunity yet.
Have your CV ready
It’s essential to have your CV ready. You should have a complete and up-to-date CV that you can modify for each internship application. Be sure to personalise your CV to each opportunity, highlighting the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the internship you are applying for.
Take advantage of the University’s resources
Remember that The University of Edinburgh has several resources to help you find an internship:
- Career appointments: The Careers Service offers one-to-one meetings with career consultants who can advise on job searching, resume building, and interview skills. You can schedule an appointment through the MyCareerHub portal.
- MyCareerHub: This is an online platform that the Careers Service uses to advertise job opportunities and internships. You can search for internships by location, industry, or type of work.
- Job fairs: The Careers Service hosts several job fairs throughout the year where you can meet employers face-to-face and learn about their internships and job opportunities.
In addition to these resources, some faculties within the Uni may also have specific resources for internships and job opportunities related to their subject area. Be sure to check with your faculty or department to see if they have any additional resources.
And finally, my last tip is to be open-minded! Don’t limit yourself to a specific industry or job title. Be open to different types of internships that may differ from what you had in mind. You may be surprised at the opportunities that are available.
Finding an internship takes time and effort, so start your search early and be persistent. Good luck!
