Locating and applying for Internships

The first step you should take in your internship search is contacting your academic adviser.  Liberal Arts advisers often have information about current internship vacancies closely related to your academic discipline and can point you in the direction of other department staff and faculty members who can potentially help you with your search.

If you are looking for an internship unrelated to your major, or if your department suggests that you search for an internship on your own, take the steps below.  Note that you’ll want to begin this search process early as it takes, on average, three months to obtain an internship.

  • If you would like help in clarifying your general career direction before beginning your search, consider taking advantage of Career Services drop-in and individual career counseling.

  • Determine what kind of industry you’d like to explore with your internship. Browsing the online industry databases available at the The William and Joan Schreyer Business Library can be a huge help in this task.

  • Decide when you’ll be available to start your internship. Do you want to do a semester-long internship? Do you have commitments that would prevent you from doing a summer internship?

  • Determine the geographical net for your search. Are you location bound, or can you consider the entire country? Can you consider international internships?

  • If you qualify, consider Penn State's Multicultural Internship Program.

  • Begin looking for specific opportunities.  You are welcome to visit the Internship Board outside of 103 Sparks or to stop by 103 Sparks and look through additional print resources.  Also consider visiting the Internships section of the Career Services library, which contains countless internship opportunities, and familiarize yourself with some general internship search sites.  Perhaps most importantly, talk with family and friends about your internship search.  They may have contacts with someone in the organization or work sector in which you are interested.

  • Take advantage of the networking opportunities offered by Career Services. In particular, sign up for Nittany Lion Recruiting and consider connecting with alumni through LionLink.

  • Once you have located internships for which you would like to apply, inform your academic adviser and/or Ashley Tarbet, the College Internship Coordinator, who can discuss with you how internship credits could fit into your schedule. Also contact the site to inform them of your interest and to inquire about exactly what materials you need to apply.

  • After reviewing the tips provided by Career Services, assemble your application package (typically a resume, cover letter, and references). Take these materials to the Undergraduate Writing Center or a Career Services Workshop for revision help.

  • Once you have completed your application materials, you are ready to officially apply for the internships you have chosen. The process isn't over, however; if you haven't heard anything from the internship site a few weeks after the deadline has passed, don't be afraid to follow up. A quick phone call or e-mail inquiring about the status of your application is completely appropriate, as it indicates your commitment to and enthusiasm for the internship in question.