Landing an Internship in Taiwan: Practical Strategies and Alumni Insights

As part of the Taiwan Career Readiness Series, Yuan Ze University’s College of Management held its second talk, “Landing an Internship: From Search to Offer,” on Tuesday, March 25. The session brought together practical career guidance and firsthand experience sharing to help international students better understand how to navigate internship applications in Taiwan. The talk featured Steven Chen, who shared insights on Taiwan’s job market and application strategies, followed by Lan Nguyen’s reflection on her own internship journey.

For many international students, applying for internships can feel overwhelming. The challenge is often not only about finding openings, but also about understanding where opportunities are growing, how to position oneself in the market, and how to present one’s value clearly to employers. This session addressed those questions directly by combining market context with practical tools and personal reflection.

A central idea of the talk was that students should “market themselves like a business.” Rather than applying blindly, they were encouraged to think about two questions: what they can offer, and what the market needs. The session also emphasized the importance of choosing the right environment, whether that means SMEs, startups, multinational companies, or larger local firms, based on factors such as language friendliness, company structure, and role fit.

The talk then moved into practical application strategies. Steven explained that a resume should quickly show why a candidate should be hired, especially when recruiters often spend only a few seconds scanning each one. Students were encouraged to focus on achievements rather than only listing tasks, use relevant keywords, and be fully honest about the skills they include. The cover letter section similarly stressed clarity: who you are, what you have done, why you fit the role, and what you hope to contribute. The session also introduced external resources such as Taiwan Career Quest, which offers career support, events, and mentorship opportunities for international talent in Taiwan.

Lan’s sharing also offered an honest look at the gap between expectation and reality. Reflecting on her first internship, she described how the role turned out differently from what she had imagined, but still helped her better understand her strengths, work preferences, and long-term direction. She closed with four practical reminders: start early, apply anyway, improve Chinese, and use AI tools wisely. Together, her reflections reinforced one of the strongest messages of the session: clarity often comes through action, not before it.

More than a session on resumes and applications, the talk helped students see internship searching as a process of strategy, self-positioning, and exploration. By combining job market insights, practical tools, and alumni experience, the event made the path toward internships in Taiwan feel more concrete and accessible. As the second talk in the Taiwan Career Readiness Series, it also continued the College of Management’s broader effort to support international students in building their futures in Taiwan.