Internships
Employers look for those who have work experience directly related to their major and career interests. While working at the mall helps pay the bills, a job closely related to your career goals, like an internship, makes you more marketable with more earning power when you graduate.
The summer, fall, or spring semester can be the perfect time to gain meaningful work experience related to your field of study. It is a unique opportunity to clarify employment goals, make professional contacts, learn more about a particular industry - all while earning an income. Such relevant work experience is a top criterion for employer selection of students to interview for full-time positions.
The process of finding an internship is very similar to that of finding full-time employment. An early start, initiative and persistence will be required because there are few published resources to identify internships.
What is an internship?
An internship is a work experience related to a student's major and/or career interest that takes place during a semester or in the summer. Typically students participate in projects or work alongside practicing professionals as they tackle special day-to day challenges. The beauty of an internship is that it allows students to implement their classroom learning in the world-of-work. Internship opportunities are available in the corporate and non-profit sectors and can be paid or unpaid, part-time or full time. Employers offering internships are expected to have clearly articulated educational objectives.
Why should I pursue an internship?
Employers are saying that good grades, summer job experience, and participation in student activities and organizations are not enough to help students land a good, full-time job. In today's competitive job market, students with career related work experience are the students who are getting the best interviews and job offers. As an added bonus, many companies hire their interns for full-time employment. Also, students that have career related experience often receive higher salaries.
- Gain experience and exposure to an occupation or industry.
- Explore opportunities in your major through a professional environment
- Bridge classroom applications to the professional world
- Network with professionals
- Provides an opportunity for you to build your resume
- Increases your marketability
- Fulfill academic requirements and earn money (except for those who volunteer)
Who can utilize the internship program?
Anyone can register for the internship program. Generally, employers prefer rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate students in good academic standing.
How do I register with the internship program?
Because all internship positions are posted on the CareerBuzz web site, students interested in an internship should register with CareerBuzz to access listings of internships made available specifically to Tech students. Register and provide a copy of your personal resume. During registration, be sure to create a “Job Search Agent”. Your “Job Search Agent” will email you when a job is posted matching your preferences. When using CareerBuzz check both "Internship" and "Summer" categories.
How do I find an internship?
- Attend an Internship Information Session, sponsored by Career Services. Visit the career web site for a schedule of sessions.
- Attend the Internship Job Fair in January (Sponsored by Career Services).
- Attend the GT Career Fair in September to inquire about summer internships.
- Plan to begin your search in early fall semester since many companies and agencies have application deadlines in December.
- Clarify your areas of interest. Decide on a few broad areas of interest that reflect future employment goals (for example: software development, public service, civil engineering, or law)
- With an area of interest in mind, take the time to identify potential employers early. With specific employers targeted, make networking a regular activity to increase your chances of attaining publicized and unpublicized internship openings.
- Develop an excellent personal resume. Career Services can assist you in this process.
- Sign-up for interviews through CareerBuzz, one of the Career Tools offered by Career Services. Campus interviews will be held during the fall and spring semesters and posted on CareerBuzz.
- If you experience difficulty in obtaining a position in your desired field, consider an unpaid internship while working a less desirable job for income. Never underestimate the value of quality experience!
- It is also helpful to conduct informational interviews with professionals in careers of interest. Utilize your friends, friends' parents, your doctors, professors, past employers, dentist, or neighbors to locate people in fields that are related to your interests.
- Access this list of web resources that provides internship listings and helpful internship articles for all majors: Internship web resources
Please Note: If you accept an internship in the fall or spring semester YOU MUST sign up for the Internship Course through the Department of Professional Practice (404 894 3320) for continuous enrollment to keep full-time status with Georgia Tech.