Internships can enhance and grow a student’s professional journey and help them define their career path and Iowa State offers different resources for students to assist them in finding internships.
Some of the most commonly used resources are CyHire, career fairs and the career service department.
CyHire, an online platform powered by Iowa State, allows students to look for their specific internship, professional post-grad job and different types of part-time jobs.
“Pro tip: set up a job alert so you can get automatic notifications when new things hit the platform that match your interests and filters,” Tessa Brow, assistant director of Career Services, said.
CyHire allows different businesses and students to connect on a mutual platform.
“CyHire was a huge help to me and just looking for postings online,” Olivia Bailey, a senior in advertising, said. “Also joining clubs is a great way to make connections and they often talk about intern opportunities.”
Iowa State also offers different career fairs for students to meet with businesses and professionals.
“I attended the People to People career fair, and it was very helpful,” Bailey said. “Even though I didn’t take any internships from the career fair, it was good to talk to people and make connections.”
Career fairs allow students to engage in conversations, network and ask questions to explore different industries.
“Research is so important for the career fair,” Brow said. “The list of which employers that are attending each fair is always available in CyHire and MyState weeks in advance. Understand the basics of what an employer of interest does, draft questions to ask, practice your introduction and plan logistics so that you can focus and be present during the event.”
Career Services are also another vital tool for students and are available within Iowa State’s different colleges, offering tailored support to each student’s different needs. They offer career advice, counseling, resume reviews, interview preparation and job searching. Iowa State also integrates career preparation preparation into various classes.
“Schedule a career advising appointment with your college Career Services team,” Brow said. “We’re all here to help and would be happy to review your application materials, coach you on authentic networking or provide strategies for how/where to identify employers and job titles that align with your interests. There is no need to struggle on your own when there are experts who want to help.”
It is recommended for students to begin their internship search as early as possible. Many companies begin their recruitment process in the fall for summer internships. This allows for early preparation and a competitive advantage, Brow said.
“It’s never too early to passively start learning about employers and opportunities available to you,” Brow said.
Students often make errors that can hurt their chances of securing an internship, Brow said. One of the most common mistakes can be a lack of preparation. This can come from failing to research companies beforehand.
Another common mistake would be failing to follow up after networking events or interviews. Brow highlighted this can significantly decrease a student’s chance of being remembered by potential employers.
Brow highlighted some key steps students should take before interviewing for an internship, the first being researching the company. This allows students to know their mission, culture and expectations.
Another step to take is for students to set clear goals. Students should know what they want to learn and how to achieve it before an internship interview.
In addition, using platforms like LinkedIn can help students. LinkedIn allows students to showcase relevant skills and experiences. And it can be a way for students and other professionals to connect.
“I find using Linkedin to be one of the most important aspects of securing an internship,” Shae Bernhardt, a senior in public relations, said. “I utilize LinkedIn daily for job searching and creating industry connections.”
For more resources, visit Iowa State Career Services.