12 ways to apply to internships
Internships are the best way for a person to learn. Finding one which is willing to sponsor your career growth is even harder as a international student. Internships are beneficial because they help develop your professional aptitude, strengthen personal character, and provide a greater door to opportunity.
By investing in internships, you'll give yourself the broadest spectrum of opportunity when seeking and applying for a job after college. While I was studying at Parsons; I worked at a number of places in NYC. Here is my quick guide to how I went about finding some and how I wish I knew about some earlier! Here are 12 ways to apply to Internships!
1) Cold calling - Mucca Design, Avroko and HandPainted Type
A cold call is when you reach out to an individual you've never spoken with before, with the intent to sell them your product or service. In this case, it would be to pitch your skill set. I was fascinated by the branding at Mucca, the boutique design arm of Avroko and the fonts in a project called Handpainted Type. For these internships - I just reached out to a given a number on the website and got in touch with the individuals who ran the company/ were part of the HR team. I convinced them to let me come in for an informational interview where I could showcase my portfolio and learn about their company. Soon after I was hired as an intern and got to work on some amazing projects.
2) Emailing / Company websites - Behance 99u conference
If you are looking for an internship, informing your professional circle is one way to learn about unadvertised positions that fit your skill sets. Sending an email to ask for job vacancies not only gives employers notice that you are looking for new opportunities but you may also have fewer competitors for the role if the company has not yet advertised the position. When I was applying for the position of an intern at Behance, I reached out to my network. I got an email from a friend at NYU- she was joining an “inspiring conference” as an intern and thought I should too! I applied for the position on their website and got the position!
3) Career Fair - John Varvatos
While you can build a network through online sources, meeting someone face to face builds trust and respect much faster. This is the main reason why people should attend a college career fair. It offers you a chance to present yourself to potential employers. Especially going to a design school having your portfolio in your hand and having a chance to explain your design process in person is extremely fulfilling. The feedback you get on the spot is invaluable. You can also ask about a particular role or how to keep in touch. The Parsons Career fair happened twice a year. I met my boss from John Varvatos at the career fair. I had a chance to explain to him my graphic design skills and why I wanted the position..
4) School Job Portal - Dior and United Nations
Contact your Career Services Office at your college to see if they have recommended internship resources that you might use or subscribe to. Sometimes your course advisor could also recommend you to classes that are collaborations. My time working with Dior was really special because it was a joint class with Columbia Business School to understand the power of online retail for beauty and cosmetics. My Project with the United Nations was also super important as the video around the global assessment report (GAR) got aired in Geneva! Furthermore checking the job portals of other universities might also give you an idea to positions that maybe available on campus. I frequently checked the Yale Job Portal as it was open for all.
5) Old School Networking - Ambedkar School and Connect for
When I came back to Bombay over the summers, I spoke to family and friends about wanting to give back. I had spent a lot of time in the west and felt their a big need for art education in India. Just speaking about my interests, passions and visions helped me network with a few people who ran good volunteering programs. I ended up interning for them/ working with them in Bombay for a short duration of time. I had a fabulous time with the children at these organizations and it was personally very rewarding for me. Moral of the story- never underestimate the places small talk can take you, you'll be pleasantly surprised if you try!
6) Introductions - Red Car, Eureka Moment, Leo Burnett and Fjord
While all the tips and tricks above do work, there is sometimes nothing better than a personal connect! If a recent alum from your college is working at a company you like or a family member knows people in the areas you are interested in. Introduce yourself, highlight your interest, insert your ask, and propose a next step quickly and concisely. People often want to help, but they're also busy. I asked my uncle, who is an interior designer in Bombay, to introduce me to a few friends in the community. I landed an opportunity at video editing house Red Car and branding firm Eureka Moment through these communities. For the other two I merely asked if they knew someone at specific company and if they were willing to introduce me. DON’T HESITATE TO ASK! The worst that could happen is the person will say NO.
