Searching for an Internship
Your guide to exploring, applying, and landing hands-on experience.
1️⃣ Know Yourself
Understand what you bring to the table.
Identify your interests, values, strengths, and how you want to make a difference. This clarity helps you seek internships that are meaningful and aligned with your goals.
➡️ Download the Exploration Activity Worksheet (PDF)
Bonus: Earn 6–20 Viking Score Points when you complete the worksheet and meet with a Career Coach.
2️⃣ Develop Career Goals
Define what you’re working toward.
Having clear short-term or long-term goals helps narrow your focus and target internships that help build relevant skills.
➡️ Download the Career Goal Worksheet (PDF)
Bonus: Earn 6–20 Viking Score Points when you complete the worksheet and discuss it during a Career Coaching appointment.
3️⃣ Make an Internship Action Plan
Create a blueprint for your search.
Use the Action Plan for Experiential Learning to outline what kind of internship you’re looking for, including your goals, timeline, preferences, and search strategy.
➡️ Intentionally plan how you will Gain Experience using the Action Plan for Experiential Learning guided worksheet, you can clarify your goals and determine the best path forward through an internship, research, or study away experience.
4️⃣ Build & Tailor Your Materials
Your resume and cover letter tell your story—make them count.
Craft a resume that highlights your skills and experience, and tailor your cover letter to each position.
➡️ Use SkillsFirst: AI Resume Builder
➡️ Review some Resume & Cover Letter Samples
➡️ Check out the Resume Writing Guide
➡️ Check out the Cover Letter Writing Guide
➡️ Schedule a Resume & Cover Letter Support Appointment
5️⃣ Use Your Network
Leverage the people around you.
Networking is about building relationships and letting others know what you’re looking for. Talk to faculty, family, friends, and alums—many internships are found through word of mouth.
➡️ Check out the resource Real Talk: Building Your Career Network
➡️ Use the LinkedIn Alumni Tool to Find Alumni & Professionals
6️⃣ Attend Events
Show up where opportunities happen.
Career fairs, internship panels, and grad school events are great places to meet recruiters, gather insight, and discover new opportunities.
➡️ Check the Career Events calendar
7️⃣ Prepare for Interviews
Practice makes confidence.
Research common questions, rehearse your responses, and get feedback in a mock interview. Learn how to tell your story and connect your experience to the role.
➡️ Review our Interview Strategies
➡️ Craft Your Elevator Pitch
➡️ Use the STAR Method: The Secret to Acing Your Next Job Interview
➡️ Review and practice Frequently Asked Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
➡️ Schedule a Mock Interview
🌐 Additional Considerations: International Students
Understand visa requirements, CPT/OPT eligibility, and employer expectations.
➡️ Visit International Students: CPT Work Authorization for Off Campus Internships
➡️ Schedule a meeting with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services