Determine your passions and interests by joining clubs within your degree program or college. Clubs provide opportunities to network with peers who have similar interests as well as guest speakers in the industry.
Craft a well-tailored resume and cover letter. If you have an interest in a couple different areas, create multiple versions of your resume and cover letter highlighting appropriate experience. If you need help with your resume, contact Leigh Futch.
Look early. Internships often open 6 months in advance from the start date. This means the interview process for summer internships might happen as early as the fall semester before.
Use your network. Don’t be afraid to reach out to former teammates for their advice or see if they know anyone in your field of interest. The Student Development department in the Rankin M. Smith, Sr. Student-Athlete Academic Center is another great resource.
Cast a wide net. Be open-minded to smaller companies, not just the big named corporate business. Often smaller companies allow you to get more hands on experience because they need help.
Even if you do not land your dream internship, you can gain valuable experience. The company or field of work may surprise you and open the door to something you never thought you’d love. Also, similar to your sport, don’t give you. If you don’t get your dream internship, don’t let that stop you from re-applying the following summer.
Get creative with your internship experience. It’s understandable that as a student-athlete you have limited time available to you. Research virtual internships, which allow you to work without requiring you to be physically present. These internships usually permit you to work from a remote location and with flexible hours.
Resources:
- Check with your program and academic advisor. Many of the colleges at UGA have interviewers visit for on-campus interviews.
- Make an appointment to talk with Leigh Futch, Director of Student Development.
- Schedule a visit with your UGA Career Center Consultant.
- InternMatch
- Internships.com
- Parker Dewey – Micro-Internships
- RippleMatch
- Visit specific companies websites
For more information on career searches and additional online resources, visit the “Where to Start your Career Journey?” blog post on The Georgia Way.
