Start Early - Begin looking for summer internships and employment in the fall semester. Contact faculty or other professionals that you know and explain your plans; let as many people know about your interest as possible. Ask several of your present or past professors if they would be willing to write you a letter of recommendation. When asking for a letter of recommendation phrase your question something like this: "Do you think that you know me well enough to give me an enthusiastic letter of recommendation?" If the person responds yes, it assures you that you will get a positve letter. Phrasing the question this way also allows the person to be honest and say "No, I think you could do better by contacting someone else," without hurting your feelings. If you are just starting out and have limited coursework or experience, your first internship may have to be unpaid. However, if you've had several internships or other experience, you deserve payment for your work. If you are not already a student member of one or more general professional societies (e.g. Austin Geological Society, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, American Geophysical Union, Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists, Geological Society of America, National Association of Geoscience Teachers), or professional organizations for women and minorities, or a student organization at Austin Community College, consider becoming a member of several groups. This indicates your professional interest and can provide you with networking opportunities.
Review Eligibility - Don't waste time on applications for jobs or internships for which you don't have the qualifications. However, if you see an announcement that an application deadline has been extended consider making an application even if you don't meet all of the qualifications. The announcement may indicate that the organization has received very few applications and will be flexible on the qualifications. If the job or internship has preferred qualifications that you don't meet (e.g. first-generation college student, underrepresented minority) or is open to more advanced students (i.e. juniors, seniors, graduate students) you may have less of a chance of receiving an offer; you can still apply, however don't interpret a rejection from that internship/job as an indication that you aren't competitive elsewhere. Apply for positions that you think you have a good chance of receiving an offer and also "shoot for the Moon" and apply for ones that you really would like, but have less of a chance receiving.
Prepare a Professional Application - Spend time writing an application that highlights your skills and experience, and conveys your enthusiasm for the position. Sell yourself and be honest; exaggerated or false information on an application can come back to hurt you professionally years later. Make sure your application has no spelling or grammatical mistakes; one way of ensuring this is to ask others to proofread and review your writing. Don't hesitate to ask others, including your professors, for advice.
Allow Adequate Time - A good application isn't prepared overnight; allow ample time to prepare and review your application before you submit it. Don't expect your professors to write an enthusiastic letter of recommendation with a few days or a week's notice. Finally, be sure that you submit your application on time and before the deadline.
Respond to Offers - Be sure that you reply promptly to each internship/job offer by the deadline that is set. If you decline an offer, the organization will likely want to offer the internship/job to someone else. Unless there are very extenuating circumstances, such as a health or family crisis, do not accept an offer and withdraw it if you receive a better offer - such behavior is unprofessional and could damage your reputation and career.
Below is additional advice on internships from articles published in Science:
The Benefits of Undergraduate Research
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Last Updated 8/26/17
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