Internship Information
Internships are an excellent way to gain hands-on experience and opportunities to network with professionals in your field of interest.
Quick Networking Tips
- Contact your Career Planning & Placement staff for guidance and opportunities.
- Attend industry-related events. Use our Job Fair and Event Guide [PDF] for help.
- “Like” your favorite employers’ Facebook and Twitter pages.
- Let your network know you are searching and visit the Networking and Job Search page for more tips.
- Use the Writing a Resume and Crafting a Cover Letter guides to develop strong application material.
Finding an Internship
Finding an internship is similar to finding a job—it requires preparation, commitment and dedication. Plan to spend time researching opportunities, both online and through networking.
As you conduct your search, customize your resume and cover letter to ensure they are engaging and up to date.
If you are called in for an interview, be prepared. This is your opportunity to present your best self. Prepare for your interview by reviewing our Acing the Interview Tips.
How do I know an Internship is Legitimate?
An internship should provide a tangible learning experience you can apply to jobs in the future.
Some internships may be paid while others are unpaid. The Federal Government provides guidelines [PDF] on internships. When considering an unpaid internship, don’t be afraid to ask specific questions about what skills you will gain. We suggest you discuss any unpaid internship situation with your Career Planning & Placement staff.
In Your Internship
Once you have been offered an internship, it is important to take it seriously. Treat it as you would a job and be sure to:
- Act and dress professionally.
- Even if you are given minimal responsibilities, do your best to do them well.
- Keep up with your school work.
- Meet people! Learn about what people do and how they got to where they are. Ask for informational interviews [PDF] and learn as much as you can about the company and industry.
- Don’t forget to send thank you notes [PDF] to people who help and support you.
- Keep track of your responsibilities and be able to talk your successes.
- Update your resume to reflect the skills you gain through your internship experiences.
Be sure to connect with you Career Planning and Placement staff for support.
Links to Internship Search Sites
City Colleges of Chicago Career Network
City of Chicago Mayor’s Office Fellowship Program
EnvironmentalCareers.com
Experience Internships
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Governor’s Environmental Corps
Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) National Internship Program
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Internships
Illinois Office of Governor: Internships
INROADS
Internjobs
Internsearch.com
Internship Crossing
Internship Programs
Internship Programs.com
Internships.com
Internweb.com
National Institutes of Health
One Day One Internship
Presidential Management Fellows Program
Rising Star Internships
Smithsonian Opportunities for Research And Study: Internships
Student Conservation Association
The Student Conservation Association, Inc
The Washington Center for Internships
U.S. Department of State Internships Index
U.S. Department of State Student Programs
Urban Employ: Chicago
