Looking for a job or internship is not an easy process — it takes time, energy, and support. We are here to help you every step of the way.
You’ve heard about the significance of internships. Why so much hype?
Employers and graduate programs now expect competitive candidates to have a minimum of two significant experiences (internships, research, collegiate athletics, volunteer work) by the time they apply for a post-graduate option. These experiences demonstrate commitment and interest in a specific career field.
For liberal arts students especially, internships are also important because they allow you to:
The internship search mirrors the job search process. In the past, internship candidates could present themselves without much polish or focus. Now that the internship landscape has become more competitive, that is no longer true. Learning and practicing the steps to search for an internship will be essential for your senior-year job search. Each student and each industry will be distinct, but a good search will typically follow this process:
It is difficult to find something if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Start with an idea of some of the qualities that you prefer in a job or internship before beginning your search. Homing in on an industry or particular company, a skill you hope to obtain, or a preferred region can help determine your search terms and might dictate what resources you use to identify positions.
Knowing about career fields will allow you to effectively target your application materials and prepare to interview in that industry. Employers prefer candidates who can articulate their understanding of an industry, organization, and position, and who can sell their skills and experiences directly to those features. If you are unable to do that, it may be time to circle back to the previous step.
Internship searches are time-intensive and energy-consuming, especially if this is your first experience through this process. Block time in your schedule to write compelling résumés and cover letters, network, and search for and apply to positions before applications are due. Partner with Career Services to develop a personalized action plan to get started and move forward.
The most successful job and internship applications are targeted toward a particular industry, organization, and role. Learn to write targeted résumés, cover letters, networking correspondences, and thank you notes. It’s a competitive market, and other applicants are taking the time to do so.
Join the official Colgate University Group on LinkedIn and tap your personal network (e.g., friends, family, faculty, past employers) to connect to individuals who can provide you with a first-hand perspective of a field or employer. The goal in building these relationships is to gain information that will inform a search, not to be offered a position.
Unfortunately, there is no single website that lists all available jobs and internships. The sites and search functions will vary depending on your preferred career field, region of interest, and type of work. Speak with an adviser to become familiar with different job search tools, and determine which is the most helpful for you. Check back often to find new opportunities of interest, and continue to send applications until you secure a position.
Develop a prospect list of employers, including obvious and more obscure options.
For instance, if you're interested in media you may explore news outlets, radio stations, television networks, publishing houses, marketing firms, PR firms, or advertising firms. But also check out communications or promotions offices in large companies, nonprofit organizations’ outreach, political campaigns, human resources departments, public research interest groups, and brand management firms.
Think creatively about how employers might meet your needs, and expand your notion of what it means to work in your field of interest.
Once you've developed an initial target list:
You’ve found and applied for positions — now land the job. Practice your interviewing skills, brush up on thank you note etiquette, notify your references, and learn how to negotiate your terms with employers.
Now that you have landed at an employer, get started on the right path and keep growing professionally. Set mutual expectations, determine how to obtain feedback, and ask questions of your supervisor. You will be expected to ask questions when needed — it is part of the learning process and will expedite your growth. Graciously express your interests and ways that you can add value to colleagues. Take advantage of opportunities to learn and contribute.
Enhance your experience by supplementing your job or internship with additional opportunities to expand your skills and gain relevant experience — conduct informational interviews, volunteer, job shadow, take a paid summer job, enroll in academic courses, or travel.
We partner with employers, maintain premier collections of job and internship postings, participate in annual recruiting consortia, and offer on-campus information sessions and interviews. Find out more about Colgate’s Recruiting Program.
Summer Funding: Grants to support summer career exploration, internships, and research.
Summer on the Cuyahoga: Paid internships, community introductions, alumni networking, and group housing for the summer in Cleveland.
Internship Credit Program: Academic credit for internships that require earning credit as a condition of hiring. Email internship@colgate.edu for internship credit enrollment information.
Summer Research and Creative Projects: Collaborate with professors at Colgate to conduct research or pursue creative academic projects.
Upstate Institute Summer Field School: Research opportunities with local organizations.
Lampert Fellowship for Summer Research: Funding to research civic and global affairs.
Graduate School Access Fund: Established through the generosity of Giovanni Cutaia ’94 and Maree Cutaia, this fund provides financial support for Colgate students who identify as low-income, first-generation, or from other historically excluded backgrounds and are seeking admission to graduate or professional schools.
Appointments and résumé reviews with your career adviser can be scheduled in person, or by calling 315-228-7380.
Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
The Career Services Toolkit offers resources to help you through your job, internship, or fellowship search, including videos and guides on résumé and cover letter writing, interviewing, networking, and other support.