How to secure an internship

It is important to have a clear plan in place prior to reaching out and applying for internship opportunities. This will ensure you are perceived as organised, prepared and professional.

Your action plan should include the following information.

• Set your objectives. Clarify what kind of experience you’re seeking. Consider your career goals, interests, and the skills you want to develop: what do you need to achieve now to be a step closer to your chosen graduate job? Define your availability for the internship so you can be clear when asked. Having a clear vision will help tailor your search and narrow down your options.
• Research your options. Conduct a thorough search for potential host organisations that will provide the experience you're looking for, including both well-known companies and local ones. Remember that larger organisations might give you name recognition, but smaller ones may provide a more hands-on experience. Map what internship opportunities already exist (for example, through advertised internship programs), and which organisations you may need to reach out to directly. Over 70% of internships are not directly advertised and are found in the 'hidden job market', so don't get discouraged if your dream internship isn't advertised. Most students will secure an internship by approaching an organisation directly, or networking.
• Updated your application documents. Ensure your resume and cover letter are current and tailored to each organisation you are approaching. Use DeakinTALENT resources for templates, workshops, resume review and career coaching.
• Understand your contribution. Understand your strengths, your skills, what you can bring to a team and the benefits to an organisation in taking on an intern. It's important to be yourself in this space. If you are faking your abilities or experience, it will show quite clearly. Know that you do not need to be an expert at everything; internships are meant for you to gain experience. It is an investment in your potential and not necessarily where you are right now. Sometimes potential employers are just looking for the right attitude.
• Prepare your elevator pitch. Articulate your strengths and what you'd like to learn on your internship in a 1 minute pitch. Authenticity is key – internships are about gaining experience and showcasing your potential. Being able to articulate your strengths, skills, interests, and what you'd like to get out of the experience will help a hiring manager understand if they can accommodate your request for an internship.

Networking

You might not know it, but your professional network is already quite large. Academics, peers, co-workers, family, friends, co-volunteers, mentors, club and society members, teammates from your sporting club – all of these people play an important role in your professional network.

Consider contacting people you know to see if they are willing to meet with you for a coffee or a virtual catch-up to discuss your future career and potential internship options. See if someone can introduce you to someone else in their network who can give you advice about careers in the industry or point you in the right direction of a new place to look. This strategy is called Informational Interviewing. You'll be surprised by how many internships are secured through using this technique.

It's important to listen, ask questions and know that not every interaction and conversation will lead to an internship opportunity, but it will spark a conversation, it can lead you to opportunities you weren't aware of and you will be kept front of mind when opportunities do pop up.

Submitting applications

Once you have updated your resume and cover letter, it's time to start apply for opportunities you've found (either through networking or advertised positions). Remember to personalise each application to the job you are applying for. Generic applications won't be as competitive, so be wary of AI assistance and use it correctly.

It's important to apply for many opportunities. 5–10 won't do. Most students will apply for a minimum of 20 internship opportunities before securing one, but it may sometimes take more than this, so be strategic when submitting your applications. If you're not getting anywhere after applying for 10+ opportunities, it might be time to review your application and make some changes.

Current internship opportunities for Deakin students

You can utilise the below resources and opportunities during this step:

• Arts and Education internship opportunities – this page lists current internship opportunities advertised only to Deakin students. Opportunities are listed throughout the year, so keep a regular eye on it.
• Global Experiential Learning (GEL) programs – internship programs that run overseas.
• FreelancingHUB –  A team-based internship that runs every trimester.
• Intern Alert – sign up for monthly email alerts on current opportunities available to Deakin students.

Preparing for an interview

Some organisations won't undertake interviews, but you'll find majority do. These can either be in person, over phone or Zoom and can be formal or informal depending on the organisation and their culture.

It is important that you prepare for your interviews. Research the organisation, the role and practice answers to common interview questions. We recommend utilising the DeakinTALENT interview preparation resources and services.

Some organisations may ask for a professional references they can call. Think about who you could ask to provide a truthful referral of your work ethic and attitude. This could be an academic that knows you and your skills or a senior work colleague (current or past).

When it comes to dress code, choose an outfit that suits the industry and the organisation's dress code, avoiding anything too casual. Have a couple of well thought-out questions prepared so you can ask them at the end of your interview if they haven't already been answered. Following up with a thank-you email can be a great way to showcase your professionalism. Thank them for their time, let them know you appreciated the opportunity to speak with them and to contact you if they had any further questions. If you don't hear back, then move on to the next role.