As students across Iowa State search for internships every year, knowing where and how to start the process, as well as what resources are available to you, can be daunting.
Career Services professionals say starting early and using campus resources can make the process easier.
Amanda Schickel, director of career services for the College of Health and Human Sciences, recommends students start the search early.
“Begin the search sooner rather than later so that students are not missing out on opportunities,” Schickel said.
“[I] started looking for internships at the beginning of [the] second year,” Antonino Ventimiglia, a senior aerospace engineering major who has secured multiple internships, said.
Ventimiglia also reflected on his experience of searching for an internship.
“If I could do it again, I would have worked on finalizing my resume early on instead of days before the career fair,” Ventimiglia said.
Internship timelines vary by major, with some industries favouring earlier recruitment.
“For many engineering internships and full-time roles, recruiting happens in the fall,” Emily George, from Engineering Career Services, said.
Career advisors say one of the most common mistakes students make in the internship search is a lack of preparation, generic resumes or waiting until the last minute to get started.
Ventimiglia said he learned the importance of preparation through experience.
“I would have worked on finalizing my resume early on so that I would have enough time to edit it and get feedback,” Ventimiglia said.
Schickel recommends tailoring your application materials to the position you’re applying for.
“You want to make it easy for an employer to see how you align with what they’re seeking,” Schickel said.
Ventimiglia said preparing questions ahead of time helped him feel more confident speaking with employers.
“In the days before the event, I’ll do research on the company and get a good idea of what they do,” Ventimiglia said. “Then I’ll start brainstorming questions to ask at the event.”
Career advisors also suggest students should focus on developing skills that make them stand out to employers. Schickel said employers often look for strong career readiness, including critical thinking, leadership, teamwork, communication, professionalism and technology.
However, students should not overlook experiences outside their major as employers value versatility.
“They are looking for students who are well-rounded,” George said.
George also emphasised that extracurricular activities are key for resumes.
“Jobs or clubs that aren’t major-specific are still valuable because they showcase soft skills development,” George said.
Ventimiglia also said that extracurricular activities helped him connect with employers.
“I included the clubs that I was a part of, and that really helps with starting conversations,” Ventimiglia said.
Networking is another important part of the internship search process.
“Making connections can be very important when it comes to searching for internships or jobs,” Schickel said.
The primary tools students can use in the search for an internship are the resources available at Iowa State, like CyHire, careers fair or appointments with the career services team.
One of the primary tools is CyHire, Iowa State’s online career platform. George described CyHire as a one-stop shop for all things career-related.
“Students can book appointments with career advisors, check out the list of every employer that has a connection with ISU, see events that are coming up, search for jobs,” George said.
Engineering Careers Services also offers additional opportunities for career preparation.
George said there is an ENGR 2030 class, which is a one-credit, eight-week course, to help students walk through the career development process from start to finish.
For students at Iowa State, there are different resources available.“Utilize your career services resources early and often!” George said. “We have availability year-round, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m – 5 p.m. and are here to help students with wherever they are in the career development process.”
