Searching for Internships in the USA

Search Timeline

Searching for an international internship can take time. A majority of past participants spent more than 3 months searching for their internship in the U.S., so it’s important to start early.

We recommend beginning your search 3-6 months before the planned start of your internship program. Don’t forget that once you’ve found and accepted an internship offer, you will then need to apply for J-1 visa sponsorship.

Search Resources

Before you begin searching for internships, make sure to take the time to define your internship goals. You need to be clear about your own priorities and expectations so that 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.

Networking

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

Collect contact information for anyone who may be able to help you find an internship in the U.S. Reach out to them via email or phone and let them know that you are looking for an internship in the U.S. in your field of interest. Even if your contacts are not working in your particular industry, they may know someone who is. Although there may not be any available internships at their company at the moment, they can refer you to their own contacts and will keep you in mind if something becomes available.

It’s also very important to be proactive! If you are ever in the U.S. on vacation, try to set up informational interviews with employers with whom you would be interested in interning. This is a great way to learn more about a particular company; it’s also a way for them to consider you should an internship position become available. Read our blog post on networking for more tips.

Social Media

For more detailed information on using social media during your internship search, read our guide, Leveraging Social Media to Search for Internships and Training Programs.

Social Networking Websites

LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a social network for professionals. If you do not have a LinkedIn profile yet, create a profile and fill it in as completely as possible. Your profile will essentially serve as an online resume. Your information should be in English and should include all relevant educational and work experience. Once you have a profile, you can search for companies and their employees and contact them directly about internship opportunities. There is also a section where you can search for internships. For more tips on using LinkedIn for your internship search, check out our LinkedIn Guide

Twitter: Companies usually keep their followers informed about their business operations and relevant industry news on Twitter, and some even post internship positions on their feed. Set up a Twitter account and follow the top employers in your industry to see what they’re tweeting. 

Company News or Blog: Check official company news to learn general information about potential employers and to see when new internship opportunities are available. This is also a great way to identify projects a company may be working on that may align with your skills and interests.

University Career Center

Your university career center is a great place to start your internship search. They will help you with pre-search preparation, such as defining your goals and writing your resume. Once you’re ready to start applying, most career centers will have a job board or database with job openings or internship listings. Many of the companies in the database may already have a connection to your university, giving you an edge over other applicants. You should also take advantage of your university’s network. If you see that a university alum works for an organization you’re interested in, ask the career center for advice on reaching out to them.