How to Find an Internship in Atlanta
How do you find internships? Most of the time, your academic advisor or professors will have a wealth of information on internships, apprenticeships, and part-time jobs that you can apply for. You may also be able to find internships posted on bulletin boards around campus at schools like Georgia State University andClark Atlanta University,. Be sure to pay special attention to deadlines, and make sure you have all the necessary materials to apply for the internship way before the deadline. If you need to, ask your professors to look over any personal statements, essays, or writing samples you’ll need to submit for an internship. You may even find internships on campus, or with companies that are closely affiliated with your school. Many times, major companies in the area, like Cox Communications, offers internships for students who are in their last year of school and are looking to pursue a career in journalism or communications. Many of the internships in Atlanta that are available most often are in the fields of public realtions, communication, non-profit management, and entertainment, so if you are interested in these fields, it’s best to get the information you need to apply as soon as possible. You may also be able to apply for an internship on campus, and have the money go towards your tuition; ask your professor if this is an option. As with all academic endeavors, keeping your grades up and making sure that you participate in a number of extracurricular activities will make your application look even better, and will increase your chances of receiving the internship you want.
You should apply for a few internships at a time, so that your chances of getting the internship you want will be increased. And, it’s also a good idea to apply for an internship as soon as possible. For instance, if you can get an internship your sophomore or junior year, this will make your resume look great. More extensive internships that may require more experience may be best during senior year of college, or immediately after graduation.
How many internships should you accept? Once you’ve been accepted for one internship, make sure you learn all you can while you’re employed. Ask as many questions as you need to, and be sure to do your best. If you’ve accepted an internship that lasts for six months or longer, you may want to consider taking one more internship before graduation, or accepting a full-time job. However, it’s best to keep interning until you know you’re ready to work as a full-time employee. Companies like Edelman (a public relations firm), the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership (a non-profit organization) have internships that last for a few months in order to prepare you for your next job, and the internship supervisors are very helpful when it comes to assisting you in finding interviews. Or, if the company you’re interning for offers you a position at the end of your term, by all means, take it! This way, your employers will know what to expect from you, and you won’t feel as nervous about asking questions on the job. While there’s no set number of internships you should accept before, or even after graduation, you should make sure that you’re completely comfortable in your field of study, and that you’d be able to perform your duties professionally.
As far as pay is concerned, it’s perfectly all right to accept an internship or two that doesn’t pay while you’re still in school. Even though you won’t be taking home a paycheck, you’ll still need the work experience, and you should treat the internship as a real job. When employers see that you are dedicated and determined to do a good job regardless of pay, you’ll be more likely to receive recommendations for future internships or jobs, and you may even be offered a paid position at the end of your term. Once you’ve graduated and want to gain more experience before accepting a full-time position, it’s best to find an internship for which you will receive a stipend. Companies like Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the Children’s Museum of Atlanta have great internships for recent graduates for which you may be able to receive pay. Many internships are designed to be a little more advanced than a non-paying position, but not quite as intense as a full-time job. Previous experience from non-paying internships will definitely help you to get your foot in the door.
In addition to asking for recommendations from your professors and making sure your GPA is intact, tighten up your resume and personal statement before applying for an internship. Even though you may not have a lot of work experience, highlighting clubs you may actively participate in or community service or volunteer organizations you’re involved in will definitely let employers know that you’re well-rounded and active. And, if you can, try to speak with someone from the company you want to receive an internship with or correspond via email well before you schedule an interview. This will make you more personable, and it will also help you to feel more at ease before you interview for your internship. For more information on internships in Atlanta, visit sites like www.turner.com/careers/internships.html,
www.ajc.com/services/content/services/internship, and www.coxcommunications.com. Good luck!
