Internships 101: How to land a role in a competitive industry like finance or tech

Welcome to Keeping the Balance, a newsletter for Gen Z. Subscribe to receive upcoming editions. This week, LinkedIn members in various fields are sharing advice to students and recent grads on what it takes to secure an internship.

I am often asked how I landed an internship in tech and transitioned to full-time staff. My answer? Through networking.?

During my junior year of college, I was determined to get an internship that would jump-start my journalism career. I became a regular at my career services office to receive help on my resume and check the job board for opportunities. Naturally, I built relationships with several advisors. Through them I learned of LinkedIn's fellowship program. The connections I formed as a fellow helped me land a contract position. And, the bonds I nurtured in that role led to a full-time job a few months after graduation.

No matter the industry you want to break into as a student or recent grad, networking is a necessity. The relationships you form early in your career can connect you to opportunities now and later on. More importantly, people in your network can become mentors who help you navigate your post-grad years.

Networking is just one part of landing a competitive internship. What else do you need to do??

With today marking National Intern Day , I asked professionals in various industries to offer advice on finding an internship in their respective field. From highlighting your unique skills to researching potential employers, the advice they shared can be applied to whichever industry you're targeting. Here are their top tips (some quotes were slightly edited for length and readability):?

?? Tech and Information Management

• Gain on-campus experience: "For those seeking an internship in the cybersecurity field, it's all about demonstrating your passion and networking! Joining (or leading) student organizations that focus on security is a great place to start. If there isn't one at your school, consider starting one, and include that experience on your resume." — Laura Schlue (Zeman), security chief of staff at VillageMD
• Do homework: "Before applying to any company, it is imperative to conduct a comprehensive self-assessment, gaining a profound understanding of one's interests and values. Engaging in thorough research of potential companies that align with these personal attributes is paramount." — Ranganatha Ambuga Sheshadri, director of engineering at F5
• Attend networking events:? "Go to those put on by universities or other companies. This is a great way to get your name out there and meet professionals who are at companies you're interested in. Many universities have clubs that are geared towards specific career paths." — Mikayla Sullivan, university programs associate at Smartsheet
• Showcase your differentiating factor: "A lot of intern resumes look the same with similar projects and coursework. This is where you can let your personality shine by sharing what other extracurricular activities you're involved in as well as any sorts of interests you have. Doing as much research as you can about the company and the work you're doing is paramount." — Cameron Khani, head of talent at HiveWatch
• Take initiative as a job seeker: "Be proactive and persistent. Follow up on applications, reach out to hiring managers, and continuously seek out new opportunities. Demonstrate your enthusiasm and dedication to stand out among other candidates." — Sanket B., a technical analyst

?? Wonder what it's like to work at Google while pursuing a side hustle? Check out this day-in-the-life video for a look behind the scenes.

?? Finance, Accounting and Consulting?

• Start searching early: "Landing an internship is not easy. Time slips by without proper planning. As you decide what type of job you desire, you should target companies spanning diverse industry sectors and learn about their company goals, purpose and principles." — Maria L. Allen, a financial services executive
• Prepare to impress in an interview: "Show up on time, which means early for your interview. Dress professionally. This means suit and tie for men and business suits for women. Come prepared for your interview — do your research on the company, research the person you are interviewing with, research the position you are applying for." — Stefanie Patton, associate financial representative at Northwestern Mutual
• Keep your industry knowledge current: "Stay informed about industry trends: Regularly read industry publications, follow influential figures, and subscribe to newsletters to stay updated on the latest trends in your desired industry." — Kumar Saurav, senior consultant at Deloitte ?
• Demonstrate curiosity and creativity: "Hunger for Learning: We look for driven students eager to immerse in any project. We recognize that nothing surpasses the thirst for learning and improving in new areas. Creativity: We encourage students to offer innovative ideas and approaches to enhance their assigned job functions." — Lucky Sandhu, president of Reliance Financial

?? How do you know if a career in finance is right for you? Check out this day-in-the-life video to see how one Gen Zer discovered her passion for VC.

??? Marketing, Advertising and Communications?

• Create a list of target companies: "Think about which companies and industries you're interested in. Like basketball? Make a list of sports organizations, marketing agencies, equipment manufacturers, and more. Passionate about the climate? Research policy makers, manufacturers, climate tech developers, etc. This is your chance to build your skills while getting experience in a space you care about, so make your target list accordingly." — Linda Souza, a tech startup marketer?
• Develop transferable skills: "For anyone in marketing: enter as many fields as possible and explore as many marketing related roles as possible. Work in media and entertainment then luxury fashion then higher education. Try advertising and branding then sales then public relations. This means you have tons of avenues for internship hunting and you’ll understand application cycles really well." — Shriya Boppana, TV host at Fox 5 Plus
• Start doing the work now: "For journalists: Start writing for small or local publications, or doing editorial work for small brands or businesses! Those pieces still count as clips that you can include in future applications and can really help you decide what you want to write about and what formats of writing you like best." — Alexandra York, reporter at Insider
• Be proactive, not reactive: "You must exhibit proactivity … to excel in your internship and outshine other candidates. Prove that you're a practitioner, not just a theoretician. If we're discussing marketing, consider launching your own ad campaigns or brainstorming marketing strategies to promote your personal brand or perhaps the brands of your friends, relatives, or acquaintances." — Ivan Rud, a chief marketing officer
• Network in real time: "Put your ego aside, put the phone down and start introducing yourself to people in real-life scenarios. See if you can leverage new and existing relationships to get your foot in the door. If you can't, apply for the role but find a way to differentiate yourself from the masses. We live in a digital world where information is readily available." — Stephanie Triggiani, director of marketing at BlueCrest

?? Curious what a digital marketing manager gets up to in a typical workday? Check out this day-in-the-life video for a sneak peek.

?? Health Care and Medicine

• Pick a lane and get involved: "Find your niche: Healthcare is vast. My journey began with exploring various disciplines before finding my passion for Healthcare IT (HIT). Take the time to discover what truly sparks your interest. Hands-on experience: Volunteer at local health clinics and join relevant clubs at your college." — Khalid Turk, chief healthcare information officer at County of Santa Clara
• Make cold emailing your friend: "To make sure I had internship options …? I was proactively cold messaging people who had jobs that sounded interesting or something I would want to do in the future on LinkedIn. It helped me learn more about the industry and get me, at the least, first round interviews. Sometimes they even would create an internship for me because it was easier for the employer to hire someone in front of them rather than go out of the way to recruit." — Dana Le, founder of Wander Health
• Leverage networking groups: "There may be opportunities in hospitals, medical groups, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies and a host of other organizations including consulting firms. As you research contacts , also research LinkedIn Groups. There are groups for all of these areas and then some. Join as many groups as you can and reach out as you like." — Joe Welfeld, a health care executive and advisor
• Craft a compelling resume: "Include information about your education, experience, and soft skills that make you stand out above the rest. Although many jobs in healthcare are highly technical, your 'people skills' contribute greatly to success or failure." — Stephen E., an experienced medical director

?? Want more tips on standing out as a student job seeker? Check out this day-in-the-life video from a Gen Z career coach.

Click here for more insights from LinkedIn members. Join the conversation: What's your advice on landing an internship in your industry? Share in the comments below or in a post using #NationalInternDay .

?? College corner: Tips for career starters?

By Todd Dybas

How to endure a long job search: Lengthy job searches torment even the most patient job seeker. The longer the hunt, the less control job seekers seem to have. To stay motivated, career coach Caroline Castrillon recommends several strategies. First, ask the hiring company for details on their process. They often have a pre-planned approach. Also, make sure you continue to talk with other potential employers. Weird things can derail what seemed to be a locked-in job. Read more here .

How to negotiate with a bully: Bullies create challenges in all settings, including negotiations. Kwame Christian, CEO of the American Negotiation Institute, says personal decision-making while grappling with a bully is more important than anything the bully does. Christian writes in Forbes to be prepared with clear objectives, remain composed despite the badgering and establish boundaries. Support from a mentor or friend can help. Read more here .

How to make a strong first impression: Recruiters are looking at you even when you're not face-to-face. Career coach Caroline Castrillon points to a Harris poll that showed 71% of decision-makers think checking social media is a useful way to screen applicants. So, make sure your public-facing self, digital or otherwise, is set up to make a good first impression. Read more here .

?? The 411: What Gen Z is talking about

Were you team Barbie or Oppenheimer last weekend??

With both movies being released on the same day, Gen Z creator Tejas Hullur says millions of people experienced the illusion of choice. "Instead of asking ourselves, 'Should I go to a movie today or not?' the question becomes, 'Hmm, should I see Barbie or Oppenheimer first?,'" Hullur writes on LinkedIn . See more on "Barbenheimer day" in his post below.

??Food for thought: Weigh in on the latest trends

Gen Zers aren't the ones pushing to work from home. It's their bosses.

New research from McKinsey showed mid-level and senior employees are advocating for remote work and resisting full-time office returns. Half of mid-level staff and 44% of senior executives said they would consider quitting if required to work at the office five days a week. That's compared to just 6% of junior employees. The study also revealed more seasoned professionals would be willing to take a 20% pay cut to preserve their flexible schedules.

Weigh in: Do you prefer remote, hybrid or in-person work — and why? Would you accept a pay cut to keep your current work arrangement? Take the poll below.