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Searching for Internships in the USA
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Searching for Internships in the USA

Searching for Internships in the USA

There are many benefits to finding your own internship and many tools available to help your search. As with any job search, making connections and networking is highly valuable. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Search Timeline

Searching for an international internship takes time. Most past participants spent more than three months searching for their U.S. internship, so it’s important to start early.

We recommend beginning your search 3-6 months before your planned start date.

Remember that once you find and accept an internship offer, you will need to apply for J-1 visa sponsorship.

Tip for before you start:

Before you begin searching for internships, take time to define your internship goals. You need to be clear about your priorities and expectations so you know exactly what to look for. Once you’ve decided what you hope to gain from this experience, use the resources below to search for companies that match your needs.

The most effective way to find an internship in the U.S. is through personal connections and networking. Talk with family, friends, fellow students, coworkers, professors, and past or current employers. Someone you know may have visited, studied, or worked in the U.S.—or they might know someone who has. Don’t be shy about asking for help!

Collect contact information for anyone who may be able to help you find an internship. Reach out via email or phone and let them know you’re looking for a U.S. internship in your field. Even if your contacts don’t work in your industry, they may know someone who does. Although there may not be any available internships at their company right now, they can refer you to their contacts and keep you in mind if something becomes available.

Be proactive! If you’re ever in the U.S. on vacation, try to set up informational interviews with employers you’d be interested in. This is a great way to learn more about a company and for them to consider you if an internship position becomes available.

Read our networking guide for more tips.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the most important platform for professional networking and job searching. If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile yet, create one and fill it in completely. Your profile serves as an online resume.

  • Write your information in English and include all relevant education and work experience
  • Search for companies and their employees and contact them directly about internship opportunities
  • Use the Jobs section to search specifically for internships
  • Follow companies you’re interested in to see their updates and job postings
  • Join industry-specific groups to connect with professionals in your field

Check out our LinkedIn guide for detailed tips.

Additional Job Search Platforms

Use these popular platforms to search for internships:

  • Indeed.com – One of the largest job search engines with thousands of internship listings
  • Glassdoor.com – Search internships and read company reviews from current and former employees
  • ZipRecruiter.com: Search for internships and get suggestions for relevant listings. 
  • Handshake.com – Popular platform connecting students with employers
  • WayUp.com – Focuses on internships and entry-level jobs for students and recent graduates

Most of these sites allow you to: post your resume, search listings by industry and location, set up job alerts so new internships are sent to you automatically, and discover career advice and interview tips. 

Social Media

  • Instagram and TikTok: Many companies now share culture content and job opportunities on these platforms. Follow companies you’re interested in to see behind-the-scenes content and announcements
  • Facebook: While it’s less common to reach out to companies directly through Facebook, following company pages can give you a good sense of the culture and how they interact with the public. You will also be able to see any updates regarding upcoming events and community engagement. 
  • Twitter/X: Companies share business updates, industry news, and sometimes post internship positions. Follow top employers in your industry

Important note: If you allow employers to view your social media profiles, make sure all information and photos are appropriate. Many employers review candidates’ social media and may reject candidates due to inappropriate content.

Visit the “Careers” or “Jobs” page on company websites directly. Many companies post internship opportunities on their own sites before listing them elsewhere. You can also:

  • Sign up for company newsletters to stay informed about opportunities
  • Follow companies on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter to see announcements
  • Read company blogs to learn about projects that match your skills and interests

Your university career center is a great place to start your internship search. They can help you with:

  • Defining your goals and writing your resume
  • Accessing job boards or databases with internship listings
  • Connecting with companies that already work with your university, giving you an advantage
  • Reaching out to university alumni who work at organizations you’re interested in

Take advantage of your university’s alumni network. If an alum works for an organization you’re interested in, ask the career center for advice on contacting them.

If you’re looking for internships in a specific industry, these specialized sites can be helpful:

Accounting & Finance

Advertising, Sales & Marketing

Architecture

Arts & Culture

Engineering

Hotel Management & Tourism

Information Technology & Computer Science

Media, Communications & Graphic Design

Non-profit Management

Political Science & Public Affairs/Administration

Good luck in your internship search! Once you’re ready to apply for your dream internship, check out our tips for: