Finding an Internship in Data & Analytics

Over the last few weeks I've seen individuals seeking internships on LinkedIn and have had some people reach out to me directly enquiring about them. It can be difficult to find internships as they are often not advertised and are sometimes hidden away in corners of the industry.

To help the enthusiastic and keen learners wanting to get exposure to the working environment I am sharing notes as someone who has onboarded interns and regularly speaks directors who require interns.

At DR Analytics Recruitment, we currently have two interns that analyse job market data using Python and Power BI. See you tomorrow Dhruv Sehgal? & Adryana Lau !

The Internship Landscape

As mentioned, internships can be either passive or active e.g. shared or not shared to the public. Whilst I'm not aware of the percentage split, typically in smaller organisations internships will not be advertised and in large conglomerates such as banks they are.

Active:

Internships, especially in larger organisations like banks or big consulting firms are often advertised pubicly. Here’s how you can stay on top of these:

1. Set Alerts: create email reminders for 'internship' across popular job platforms e.g. Seek & LinkedIn. That way you won't miss these when they do come up!
2. Check Company Websites: Large firms often have structured programs. Regularly visit their career pages, especially during peak hiring seasons like summer.

Passive:

Smaller organisations and startups might not openly advertise internships, but they are frequently open to taking interns. Here’s how you can find these opportunities:

1. Leverage Your Network: Attend industry events, join webinars, and actively engage in professional groups. Sometimes a casual conversation can lead to an opportunity.
2. Reverse LinkedIn Search: Search for titles like “Data Analyst Intern” in your region on LinkedIn. This can give you a list of companies who have or had interns, indicating their openness to internships.

Crafting Your Introduction Message

When reaching out, whether for an advertised or unadvertised internship, your initial message can make a significant difference. Here’s a guide to crafting an effective intro:

1. Be Specific: Clearly state your interest in their organisation and the role and why - a personalised touch goes a mile further than a copy and past job. Mention any specific projects or areas of their work that you find particularly compelling.
2. Show Enthusiasm: Express your eagerness to learn and contribute and help where you can despite some tasks possibly being repetitive!
3. Highlight Relevant Skills or Projects: Briefly mention any relevant coursework, projects, or skills that make you a suitable candidate. Something that is high value for companies here may be database management, data entry or data validation experience.
4. Seek Advice, Not Just a Position: Sometimes, asking for advice or insights into the field can be a great conversation starter and show your genuine interest.

Conclusion

The path to securing an internship involves both vigilance and strategy. Whether through active searching or uncovering the less visible opportunities, the key is to stay persistent, be proactive, and always be ready to showcase your value.

In speaking with a leader in a data & analytics consultancy, they said that when they bring on interns the goal at the end of their tenure is to break even on ROI. For example: the time spent investing into an intern is returned by their output by the end of, say, a 3 month period.

With this in mind, it's important to consider what value you bring to a company. As an intern, you've probably got a lot to learn! You may suggest in an internship application that you take on labour intensive jobs like manually updating databases, running data validation checks, organising file systems, renaming files or documenting work procedures. This makes you all the more attractive intern!

DR Analytics Recruitment:

I'm Douglas - former data analyst and Founder of DR Analytics Recruitment. We grow people and businesses with an exclusive focus on recruitment of data & analytics professionals. Companies use us because of our industry expertise, specialisation and technical testing.

Get in touch to learn more!

?? Email: [email protected]

?? Phone: +61 430 846 876

?? Website: https://www.analyticsrecruitment.com.au