How to Land an Internship for Winter Break

How to Land an Internship for Winter Break via Pexels Start early. If the thought of getting an internship for the winter only just entered your mind a few weeks before break starts, your chances are pretty slim. Instead, it’s important to take action early on preferably October or early November during the fall semester, according to this helpful site,  The Balance   so that you have time to start thinking about the internships out there, do your research, and contact employers. Waiting until the last minute will only leave you in a bind. On the flip side, starting early will certainly work in your favor, as you’ll not only leave yourself some breathing room but also show potential employers that you’re proactive and know what you’re doing. Network. Putting yourself out there is undoubtedly a significant part of landing any internship, regardless of whether it’s for the winter or summer. Especially during the winter when internships may be scarce, networking is important for getting your name and face out there, so that you stand a better chance of being noticed. Make the most of the connections you have, whether they be formal or informal. The Balance suggests reaching out to people in your own personal circle, such as friends, family members, faculty, previous employers, etc. Taking advantage of your personal connections might provide you with a quicker “in” compared to other options (although it certainly will not be a guarantee). Especially if you have a relative or friend’s cousin’s mom who is involved in a field or career you would like to pursue as well, simply inquiring about possible internship opportunities runs a low risk. Asking previous employers is also a great option, particularly if you had a good relationship and a decent experience working with them. Reaching out to previous employers shows that you are willing to keep in touch, that you enjoyed working for them, and that you liked them so much you would love to return, all of which they will certainly appreciate. If you think contacting past employers is a helpful option, here is an email template provided by emmeliedelacruz.com for reaching out to them, if you need guidance or feel a little stuck on what to write. Volunteer. If you’ve been searching and searching for internships over winter break but can’t find any that you would want to apply to, or ones that are even still accepting applications, you might want to consider volunteering instead. While volunteer work isn’t going to help you get paid, it can certainly be just as useful and look just as good on your resume as a regular internship could; volunteering in the field you want to pursue will still allow you to gain valuable experience. What’s more, your willingness to spend your own time volunteering, unpaid, can show a great deal about your character as a motivated and selfless individual to prospective employers.