Start Early
It’s never too early to start looking. Many internships have early
deadlines. Organizations that require security clearance usually take
much longer. Allow six to eight months for governmental agencies.
Personal Connections
If you have personal connections in DC, use them. Networking is valuable anywhere, but especially in DC.
Search
Search deliberately and consistently. Most students who are behind
in their internship search did not start early enough or did not stay
consistently committed to their internship search. We recommend
that students treat internship searching like a class and dedicate
days and times to searches. Also, students are encouraged to
track their internship applications and closing dates.
Prepare
- Update your resume and get it approved by the Career Center and
the DC Office
- Select a minimum of 10-15 internships
- Seek faculty guidance
- Attend Career Center Workshops—offered through the Seaver
College Career Center, these workshops address issues such as resume and
cover letter preparation, job/interview search strategies and
interview skills. Participation is strongly recommended. Check with the
Career Center for a current schedule.
- Go to the
Seaver College Career Center website
Follow Up
Keep a record of your internship search. If you haven't heard from
a site in three or four weeks. Call them and check the status of
their internship process. Washington DC is a city that values
assertiveness and persistence. Work to be politely persistent. Below
is a spreadsheet to help you keep track of your internship contacts.
Internship
Information Form (xls)
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