How to Choose an Internship That Can Launch Your Career

For college students, internships can open doorways to future opportunities and shape their career choices that will define a person’s professional life for decades to come. ?

Given how much your internship experiences can impact your future career, it’s smart to put some thought into how you should choose the best internship program for you.??

We asked staff selection advisor Andrea Spoerke, who has helped to recruit and evaluate candidates for Chick-fil-A’s internship programs, to share some wisdom on what you should look for when applying for an internship.??

The Opportunity for Impact??

Many internship programs focus on giving students exposure to a professional environment — offering them the chance to shadow professionals in a career they find interesting and exposing them to a variety of educational activities.??

That’s fine in your first year of college, but by the time you hit the summer following your sophomore year, you should be accumulating valuable skills in your classes. Ideally, you should find a company that recognizes all you bring to the table and offers real opportunities to do significant work that impacts the business, Spoerke says.?

“At Chick-fil-A, we match each intern with a dedicated coach to ensure they’ll have the resources they need to truly contribute,” Spoerke says. “Whether they’re working on front-end development of our mobile app, or whether they’re helping us craft an international public relations strategy, they’re integral to the work that we do.”?

Seek out a company that has measures in place to ensure interns will have the chance to face significant challenges and make a real difference, Spoerke suggests. At Chick-fil-A, departments create dedicated projects for interns and work with the early talent recruitment team to refine their proposed projects, identify deliverables and establish KPIs.??

A Multifaceted?Compensation Package?

Many students use these formative career opportunities to help finance their education. Spoerke suggests prospective applicants seek out programs that offer pay, then evaluate the additional perks, stipends and benefits as a whole package.?

It’s important for students to look beyond the hourly wage being offered to consider cost of living and professional development elements of the program, she says.?

At Chick-fil-A, for example, interns’ hourly wage is supplemented by an additional stipend, transportation to Atlanta, free meals and snacks at the company’s Corporate Support Center, access to an on-site gym, and career coaching.??

A Culture That Aligns With Your Values?

When you contribute to the work of a company, you’re contributing to its impact on the world. It’s important to keep that in mind and find an organization that aligns with your personal values, Spoerke says.?

To make sure you’re finding the right fit, you can read up on a company’s own website to see what it says about the organization’s mission, alignment and values. At Chick-fil-A, for example, we’re driven by a Culture of Care and our values, which emphasize service, collaboration, purpose and innovation.?

Of course, prospective interns should look beyond a company’s website and approach their research with a discerning mindset. It’s important to also look at reviews by employees and former interns, leveraging resources such as Glassdoor and Canary, a fairly new website that’s solely for internship reviews, Spoerke says.???

If you are considering an internship offer, you may want to reach out to employees directly on LinkedIn to get their take. Spoerke suggests asking questions about what their journey has been like at the company, and what advice they’d have for incoming interns.??

Access to Mentorship?

Professionally, there may be no more formative time than when you are getting your first on-the-job experiences. A mentor can help introduce you to new perspectives and help you shape your thinking about the future.??

It’s best to find an internship program where you’ll be receiving individual guidance and attention, Spoerke says. At Chick-fil-A, each intern is matched one-to-one with a mentor outside of their department.?

“When possible, we match people based on similarities of background and interests. We think it’s important that our interns have someone who they can connect with, who will introduce them to other professionals around the company who can be helpful, and who can provide some introduction to other areas of the business,” Spoerke says.?

A Doorway to Future Opportunities?

Many students see internships as a stepping stone to their first position after college. But when you’re interviewing for that first job, the reality is that having had the internship won’t be enough to help you cross the finish line.?

“When you’re looking for a job, it’s not so much where you got your internship experience as what you accomplished while you were there,” Spoerke says. “You want your internship to offer the kinds of experiences that will allow you to have stories to tell that illustrate your potential.”??

And of course, there’s always the possibility that an internship will lead to doors opening at the company where you’re interning. At Chick-fil-A, departments’ requests for interns are evaluated based on whether the internship will be aligned with potential entry-level openings in the near future.??

Are you interested in becoming a Chick-fil-A intern? Visit us at https://www.chick-fil-a.com/careers/corporate/earlytalent?