Internship Expo | Photo Courtesy of Wright State Newsroom
Internships in the U.S. can provide international students an excellent opportunity to get hands-on experience in their field of study, but there are things to remember before starting the application process.
Preparation process
Before applying for numerous internships, ask yourself what kind of job would you really want to get and objectively assess your chances and skills. What are your job interests? What do you want to be responsible for? What work would you like to do and what skills would you like to gain? What size company do you dream to work in? Be clear about your goals.
Research the companies you are most interested in, discover the work they do, read their company culture and what they value. It can be helpful to find companies' lists of where international students have been hired before.
Tailor your resume and cover letter for a position you are interested in. Think about all of the projects and you have had along the way and the skills you have built. It is essential to be ready to explain what benefits you can provide for a company and how they can help you in your professional development.
Networking
Being an active communicator, building a professional relationship and asking questions is the key to success. Even though now we are living differently because of the coronavirus, there are many ways to communicate with other students, alumni, professors and potential employers to find out more about summer internships and opportunities.
Regular communication with locals, other international students as well as visiting online career fairs, going to meetups and being involved in student clubs ways to receive new contacts which one day may play a huge role in your path to a successful career.
University resources
When the question of where to look for an internship arises, the first thing that students need to do is to visit Wright State University Career Services. They can provide help with the first steps of securing an internship, such as resume checking and providing resources on where to look for an internship or event that you should visit. However, the process of searching for an internship requires exploring opportunities on your own too.
Be the best candidate
It is a highly competitive environment, where both international students try their best to find a desired internship and domestic students strive to get hired for the summer. However, the secret is that employers are looking for a person regardless of where they are from.
An internship can become a starting point for a student not only to spend their summer productively but also there is a chance to get hired full-time with Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation.
