Myths and 事实 关于 Applying for Internships

There are a lot of opinions swirling around how, when and why to get an internship. The College of 工程 teamed up with the Career Center to address some important myths or assumptions that might be steering you off course. 你可能也想阅读 关于 实习的价值，还有一些 tips from 工程 grad students.

• Myth: Internships are only available in the summer.

  • 事实: 不正确的! Many companies offer internships throughout the school year. 利用 of living and studying in 硅谷, and start your internship early. 一定 to check out opportunities on Handshake so you don’t miss out on submission deadlines.

• Myth: I shouldn't 应用 for an internship until I'm a junior.

  • 事实: 并不总是正确的. While some companies require junior and senior class standing, others are looking for talent at all academic levels. Read the internship requirements carefully 如果你有资格，那就去争取吧! If the job opportunity does not specify class level, 应用.

• Myth: I'll 应用 for a lab internship in the spring.

  • 事实: 你可能会错过. Lab internships are advertised (in Handshake) from the Fall through May, but government-related labs are typically finalized by December. 当你看到 an opportunity in a government lab in the fall, 应用 right away.

• Myth: You get an internship at the Career Fair, or you look for 一个 online.

  • 事实: Those are great places to start but there is more to the internship search process. You also need to learn the hiring cycle of your target 公司. 网络，网络， 网络! You already have a personal 网络 -- talk to family, friends, club members and your professors about what you’re looking for, then follow up with any leads.

• Myth: Having an internship might interfere with my schoolwork.

  • 事实: Internships can actually help improve your academic performance. 你可以申请 classroom knowledge to real-world problems, and bring your internship experience to 做的功课. Furthermore, companies do not expect interns to put in full-time work, although you do need to make sure you can balance the internship with the other demands 在你的生活中. Best of all, in addition to learning professional skills the internship allows you to build a professional 网络 -- and possibly a future career with the 公司.

• Myth: I have a resume, so I can easily get an internship.

  • 事实: 别着急. A resume al一个 will not land you the internship or job. (和质量 数量太. Generic resume templates with grammar or spelling errors won't cut it.) You need to be able to tell your story with comfort, look people in the eye and explain what makes you unique and valuable. Connect with the Career Center to make sure your total interviewing package (including professional pitch, resume, and LinkedIn profile) 看起来不错.

• Myth: I didn't get an internship, so my summer is 浪费了.

  • 事实: 假. Not every一个 gets an internship, but every一个 has a chance to shine. 构建 一个应用程序. 完成一个项目. Set yourself apart by working with a community who needs 你的特殊技能. Create something for your portfolio, and your time will not be 浪费了.

• Challenge: Transportation to an internship can be difficult.

  • 事实: 是的，它可以. One workaround is to look for on-campus research projects. 你的教授 and department may have some leads for you.