Career Exploration and Development

Finding Summer Jobs And Internships

Finding an internship

When looking for an internship, focus on opportunities with the types of organizations where you may eventually like to work. The skills you learn and the resources you discover in your internship search will help you when you apply for positions after graduation. There are several different strategies you can use for finding an internship. You might:

  • Utilize OberLink to connect with the career resource hub, join a career community, network with alumni and parents, and search for alumni-sourced internships and jobs.
  • Look for internship listings through Handshake. You can also find opportunities through your own internet searches.
  • Visit the Career Community page for your field(s) of interest. Each page offers a list of industry-specific job boards, as well as an RSS feed of current jobs and internships posted to Handshake.
  • Identify prospective employers in your field of interest and/or geographic area and check their websites or call to inquire about internship opportunities. 
  • Talk with people in your network to find out about "hidden opportunities" (that is, ones that may not be posted publicly).

Application deadlines

Application deadlines for internships vary widely. The process of searching for internships and applying takes time. Don't miss out on great opportunities by waiting too long to get started. Some of the first deadlines for summer internships are as early as December, so it's a good idea to get started looking during fall semester.

Finding a summer job

If you plan on living at home during the summer, then consider the employers in your geographic area. Students have worked in restaurants, retail stores, summer recreational programs for children, day camps, labs, offices (often as a temp), banks, lawn care, child care, and libraries. Contact these places directly and ask if they hire for the summer and how you can apply. It is likely you will not secure the job prior to summer break, but doing advance leg work can help you land a job more quickly once you arrive at home.

Some places to look for summer work include: