Please note: this is not a step-by-step guide for securing an internship experience. Rather, students can expect to be working simultaneously on one or two of the sections below at a time. You can always reach out for help and support along the way.
What do you want to do?
What do you want to learn?
What skills do you have, and what skills do you want to gain?
Which semester do you plan to complete the internship (fall, summer, spring)?
What other courses will you be taking? What type of internship are you considering (remote/virtual, face-to-face, work variance)?
Do you need a paid or unpaid internship?
Where do you want to intern? Create a "Really Big List" of organizations doing interesting work in cities, regions, and sectors where you would like to contribute. Visit these organization's websites to see if they have open internships positions posted. If not, consider reaching out to someone at the organization to request an informational interview (see the Create Your Own Internship section of the Types of Internships page for more information about how to get started with informational interviews).
Polished application materials (resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile) are required. Make sure these materials are in a professional format and content is both current and relevant for each internship you are applying for.
When possible, your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile should be reviewed by a professional before applying to internships. Utilize the Resume Dropbox for quick resume review feedback or set up an internship focused advising appointment with the Tech Leadership Advisor.
You should be ready to talk about why you are interested in the internship you applied for, what you hope to gain from it, what you know about the organization and their mission, and what you have to offer that makes you a strong candidate.
They may also ask you why you chose your major or what your career plans are. ASU Career & Professional Development Services has numerous resources to help students prepare for interviews.
Once your materials are updated, start applying for internships. Keep your options open by applying for multiple internships. You are encouraged to use sites like Handshake, LinkedIn, or Indeed to find internship opportunities that interest you. Additionally, you should review the Types of Internships page to explore other options for finding or creating internship opportunities.
Start a record system to track the internships you apply for. Include date of application, deadline of application, contact name/information, company, link to company website and save a PDF copy of the internship description as a reference—often, posted opportunities will no longer be accessible online after the deadline to apply has passed.
Remember that all communication with a potential employer is a form of interviewing, so always be professional in email correspondence, phone calls, and voicemails. If you have not heard back from a potential employer two weeks after the application deadline, it is appropriate to request an application status update via email.
Once you have completed an interview, send a follow-up email thanking the interviewer for their time and reiterating your interest in the position.
Keep the Tech Leadership Internship Coordinator in the loop regarding plans for your internships. Remember: all internships must be approved by the Tech Leadership Internship Coordinator before you will be allowed to register for credit. As soon as you think you might be offered an internship position, we recommend reaching out to the Tech Leadership Advisor to make sure the position will meet all of the stated Internship Guidelines.
Follow the instructions on the Application and Deadlines page to get your internship approved and complete the registration process to earn credit.
Be Internship Ready (created by ASU Career & Professional Development Services): This self-paced mini-course prepares students to find internships, craft an application (includes sample resumes), practice for interviews, and prepare for success at the internship site.
Preparing for an Interview, article by ASU Career & Professional Development Services
Interview Preparation Worksheet, by ASU Career & Professional Development Services (includes examples of questions to prepare for)
Internship Scholarships, from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.