When I first started college, I didn’t realize internships were such a big deal. Sure, I had heard about them, but I didn’t know how to start or when to start or really anything about them.

Now, after two internships and a third lined up, I have a few tips to help undergrads start the process of securing internships! Even starting your freshman year, there are several steps you can take to land your first internship.

Start adding college experience 

Think of opportunities to fill up your college resume. By the end of freshman year (and in freshman year), people will encourage you to get rid of any high school accolades and work experience. 

This FREAKED me out. I had done plenty in high school- Student Council, debate, sports, Honor Society- and I didn’t want to see all of that pushed off my resume. 

But I knew it had to go.

My encouragement to freshmen is to start somewhere. Maybe get a job or join a club. Work hard to make the Dean’s List or President’s Honor Roll. Join a leadership club or your major’s professional organization (PRSSA for me!). 

Three things you can do freshman year for your resume: 

1. Start off with a good GPA.
2. Join one club that pertains to your career. (Ad Club, PRSSA, Italian club) 
3. Find one experience piece to add to your resume. This could be a part-time student job, campus involvement like student government or a passion project like a blog. 

Also, I wouldn’t cut everything from high school immediately. As you add college experience, you can start pushing high school information off your resume until it’s a complete representation of your college experience!  

Don’t tell yourself no. 

The best way to get an internship is to apply. If you don’t, no one will ever consider you. You don’t get a job by looking at the application. 

Learning to apply, interview and get rejected will take you miles. I learned early that I would be rejected for internships I wanted. In my sophomore year, I applied for an internship I wasn’t qualified for. My portfolio was empty and I hadn’t taken the right classes yet, so I didn’t get it.

Fortunately, I still had an internship that summer. I got rejected, but I didn’t tell myself no. I’m taking that into the fall semester, as I start looking for full-time jobs in 2023. 

The company will be the person to tell me no, not me. 

Keep pushing forward and working hard. Ultimately, if you demonstrate you are passionate, hard-working and driven, you won’t be easy to refuse. 

Make connections by showing kindness, work ethic and dependability 

I went to a leadership conference my freshman year, and one of the speakers focused on networking. By the end of his talk, I felt a little icky. Everything about networking felt like using someone for your own personal gain and I didn’t like it. 

In college, I learned that networking shines when it builds human connections, not personal gain. Sometimes, it’s the kind, thoughtful connections we make with other humans that lead to opportunities down the line. 

I’ve had professors, mentors and friends point me in the right directions and connect with the right people. But, I always form relationships with no intention of asking for more. 

Don’t look at someone and ask what they can do for you; understand what you can do for them. 

Treating people with kindness and respect makes a difference. Demonstrate that you are someone that loves others, has a strong work ethic and is dependable. 

IYou can move mountains with those traits. People will want to connect you to others and you can reciprocate. Always have the intent of giving first, but know that people want to help you. 

Start looking  (and apply!) 

There are plenty of opportunities for internships so keep your eyes open. I scrolled LinkedIn, and Glassdoor and reached out to people in my college. 

The University of Oklahoma also uses a platform called Handshake to help secure jobs and internships. 

But, I still think one of the best ways is to ask people you know. The first internship I got was by asking my church if they needed help in their communication department. My second internship was through an advertisement in my college’s email. 

My summer internship starts in May. I visited the building with our professional organization (PRSSA), applied, and interviewed. I also had a mentor and professor put in a good word with the company, which only helps. 

But ultimately, If you are involved, develop a few relationships with people at your school, and again are kind, hard-working and dependable, you’ll have no problem finding that first internship. 

For a recap, here’s what you can do now!

1. Find 1-2 things every year of college you can add to your resume. Be passionate about what you’re doing and be good at a few things rather than doing everything 
2. Demonstrate kindness, dependability and work ethic. These will take you farther than anything. 
3. Don’t tell yourself no and don’t give up.
4. Apply, connect and apply!