How To Get An Impactful Internship That Leads to More Opportunity

Impactful and supportive internship opportunities can lead directly to full-time jobs after graduation, stronger networks and a chance to gain experience and find the right career for you. Learn how to get an impactful (and hopefully paid) internship, coupled with firsthand advice from a seasoned intern-turned-working professional. 

By Mariah Flores

With the recent wave of spring graduations, those of us still in school (and even those already in the post-college workforce) are probably itching to get outside the classroom (or office) and apply everything we've learned thus far to our dream jobs.

What if you could take your chosen industry for a test run before heading into the workforce after graduation? 

You would be allowed a personalized peek behind the scenes, gaining first-hand experience through on-the-job learning opportunities. You can also build meaningful relationships with full-time employees, strengthen your resume and acquire the insight needed to determine if your desired career path is actually right for you. 

If such a test run seems tempting, internships are made for you.

As working professionals, we are rarely given chances to “test drive” a whole career with no strings attached— that’s what makes most internships so enticing. 

Your internship at one company could be spectacular, affirming why you love a certain profession. On the other hand, the experience may be downright terrible, inspiring you to take an opposite approach to job searching or pursue a new career path altogether. 

What are internships?

Internships are programs that give potential employees an opportunity to work directly with employers, learn valuable professional skills, and show off their knowledge. Interns can gain a direct gateway to full-time employment at the company. Some internships even provide applicable college credit upon completion. 

Who are internships for? 

I would like to say everyone, but access to internships isn’t always cut and dry.

Typically, undergraduate and graduate students are most likely the faces of many internships, but many companies have intern programs that are open to folks of all backgrounds. U.S. News recently published a riveting piece on the rise of high school internships and it’s worth a read. 

During an internship, you’re able to see if the career you pictured in your head aligns with your studies, interests, skills and overall passion. 

Furthermore, internship advantages are powerful for both the organization and the intern, as reported in a recent Forbes article. 

Through interns, organizations obtain a fresh new perspective and eager students, ready to learn as much as possible. Not only that, companies today can attract top talent, bolstering their pipeline (even offering higher pay to interns) amid the Great Resignation. Sadly, some organizations can abuse interns’ eagerness, requiring them to work long hours or perform mindless tasks, without pay or benefits. 

If organizations and companies really want to attract and retain quality talent, including those straight from college, it’s high time for them to embrace a better internship culture and treat all interns and full-time employees with the same level of respect. 

Paid internships are a proven step in the right direction.

According to The Harvard Business Review, the time has come to not only pay interns but also actively help them expand and diversify their networks. A lasting web of support serves as a foundation for successful careers, especially for historically underrepresented interns, students and young people. 

The process of getting an internship and its impact, as told by a former intern 

I recently had a chance to speak with Zariah Cameron, the first equity-centered UX strategist at Ally and multi-time internship holder. She got her start in the creative side of tech during her sophomore year of college, inspired by her passion to make an impact. 

“Finding an internship was a little bit of a rocky start I will admit,” says Cameron. Like many young adults seeking internships, she faced the never-ending cycle of not having “enough experience” when trying to get that very experience. And yet Cameron persevered, through the help of mentors, people in her corner and her drive to help others through her work. 

She does advise folks to take their time when trying to find an internship, noting that she got her first internship position during junior year. 

“Patience is definitely key,” she says. “Your time is your time.” 

Cameron encourages people to try and get paid internships. Internships can be a bit of an exhausting process for anyone, especially when you’re taking on an extra load — in addition to classes, extracurriculars and other jobs you might already have. 

“Yes, experience is great, but you also need to sustain yourself. You’re a student trying to put yourself through school,” she remarks, recalling her experience as an out-of-state student with expenses. 

Her vast internship experience spans from being a UX/UI designer at PepsiCo to her current role at Ally, where she started in the digital space as a UX designer. 

Tips for finding internships

During our chat, Cameron offered up a plethora of advice and tips for those wondering how they can get an internship and also how to thrive as an intern. A major theme that arose was making sure to stay true to yourself and have confidence in your existing skills, passion and values. I’ve included a few keynote tips below: 

• Research, research, research 
• Get involved while at work
• Advocate for yourself 
• Be open to learning
• Go after paid internships
• Lead with your skillset
• Embrace mentorships
• Explore your options
• Soak up all the knowledge you can
• Read up on your desired position/company
• Find a place where you feel safe and can thrive
• Foster relationships through genuine conversations

There’s no time like the present to set your best foot forward and add “intern” to your long list of resume titles. A variety of doors can open up through obtaining an internship during your college studies or early on in your career, as was the case for designer and entrepreneur Jason C. Mayden. 

Everyone’s internship experience will be different, but you’ll never know what the future has in store for you if you don’t try. 

(Editing by Onjeinika Brooks)