From Plan to Payoff: Securing the Internship That Builds Your Career

Internships are the launchpads that can shape your career trajectory. But landing the right one? That takes a bit more than just polishing up your resume. It’s about planning, goal-setting, and executing with precision. So, how do you go from scrolling through job listings to securing an internship that builds your career? It starts with a solid strategy—and I’m here to help you map it out.

1. Assess Your Skills: Start with a Reality Check

Just like you wouldn’t start a road trip without knowing where you’re leaving from, you can’t plan your career without first assessing where you are. A skills assessment is the foundation of your internship search.

• List your strongest skills: Whether it’s technical (coding, data analysis) or soft skills (teamwork, communication), put them all down.
• Include experiences from everywhere: Jobs, volunteering, projects—anything that has helped you grow.

91% of employers prioritize candidates with strong communication and interpersonal skills, according to NACE.

So, take stock of both your hard and soft skills, and see how they stack up against the roles you’re targeting. This is your starting point.

2. Stay Open to New Career Paths: Explore the Possibilities

The job market today is more dynamic than ever. That’s good news for you because new career opportunities are constantly emerging. If you keep your options open, you might find the perfect internship in an area you hadn’t even considered.

• Get curious: Follow industry leaders, sign up for newsletters, and participate in online communities to keep up with emerging trends.
• Find inspiration in others: LinkedIn is a goldmine—look at people with roles that excite you, and analyze their career paths. You’ll quickly see there’s more than one way to reach your goals.

The more you explore, the better prepared you’ll be to spot exciting opportunities that align with your career vision.

3. Set SMART Goals: Make Your Vision Achievable

Having a career goal is great, but without a plan, it’s just a wish. That’s where SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) come in. They help you focus your efforts and turn big dreams into smaller, manageable tasks.

• Specific: “I want to get a marketing internship by January.”
• Measurable: “I’ll apply to five internships every week.”
• Achievable: “I’ll refine my portfolio and practice interview questions.”
• Relevant: “Marketing aligns with my career goal of working in brand strategy.”
• Time-bound: “I’ll secure an internship within the next three months.”

By setting these specific steps, you're not just wishing for an internship—you’re putting in the work to make it happen.

4. Prioritize the Right Skills: Focus on What Matters

Let’s be real: you can’t master every skill, nor do you need to. The secret to standing out in a competitive market is prioritizing the right skills.

• Dig through job ads: Look for common skills and qualifications in job listings within your industry.
• Stay on top of trends: Research what skills are hot right now. For instance, LinkedIn reports that data analysis, AI, and cloud computing are among the most sought-after competencies in 2023.

Focusing on the high-impact skills that appear across several job descriptions will make you a standout candidate, even before your first interview.

5. Take Action: Turn Goals into Reality

Setting goals is important, but the real difference comes when you start taking action. Break down your big-picture goals into small, manageable steps.

Example: If your goal is to master Swift and land an iOS app development internship, your action plan might look like:

• Spend 30 minutes daily practicing in Swift Playgrounds.
• Enroll in a Swift-specific online course.
• Join a programming community for daily insights and tips.

The key here is consistency—take small steps every day, and you’ll be surprised by how quickly you build momentum.

6. Upskill for the Future: Always Stay Ahead of the Game

Internships aren’t just for padding your resume—they’re for learning and growth. The right one will push your boundaries and make you an asset in any workplace. Look for internships that challenge you:

• Seek out opportunities with mentorship or access to cutting-edge tools: You’ll come out of the experience stronger, more knowledgeable, and ready to tackle your next career move.

A LinkedIn Workforce Learning Report found that employees who continuously learn are 47% more likely to stay adaptable and engaged.

So don’t stop at landing the internship—always be on the lookout for ways to grow during and after the experience.

Ready to Secure That Internship?

At the end of the day, cracking the internship code is about being proactive and intentional. Assess your skills, explore options, set clear goals, and take action consistently. An internship is more than a job—it’s a stepping stone to building the career you’ve always dreamed of.

Need a little help navigating the process? I’ve got you covered! Book a 1:1 session with me, and let’s create a tailored strategy that will get you closer to landing that dream internship.

Let’s get started! Book now.