The Benefits of Finding Your Own Internship
Whether you want to improve your skills, live in a big city, or learn what it’s like to intern for a startup, no one knows what you want from an internship better than you do!
Career Training USA found that participants who find their own internship are more satisfied than those who use placement companies. Finding your own internship also shows the independence, communication skills, and confidence that U.S. employers look for in potential interns.
Ready to take charge of your internship search? Here are five benefits to finding your own internship:
Fits Your Personal Goals
Help yourself succeed by making sure your internship is the right fit for you. Ask yourself:
- What do I want to achieve during this internship?
- What skills do I want to gain or develop?
- Where do I see this internship taking my career?
- What type of company am I looking for (startup, corporate, nonprofit)?
- Am I receiving academic credit? Does this affect what type of internship I can do?
Be clear about your expectations and priorities. Some interns want to apply classroom learning to real work. Others want to develop specific skills or build their professional network. Some participants want to try a new industry or see their field from a different perspective.
Saves Money
Agencies that help place you can be very expensive and add thousands of dollars to your internship costs. When you find your own internship, you avoid these fees completely.
Although placement services may seem easier, your internship may not match what you want. These companies typically work with a small number of employers, which means you could pay more for a less satisfying experience.
There’s a wide range of internship options available in the U.S. You don’t have to be limited to the connections or industries a placement company offers. By finding your own internship, you’ll get to explore a greater number of companies and save money doing it. A win-win!
Connects You Directly with Employers
There’s no limit to the number of internships you can apply to or companies you can contact. You can ensure your resume reaches only companies where you actually want to train.
U.S. employers respect interns who pursue opportunities directly, especially when you’ve done your research and prepared before you contact them. Searching for internships on your own gives you better knowledge of your industry and helps you make direct connections with professionals—even if you don’t ultimately intern with their organization.
Today, most applications happen through job websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, or company career pages. This makes it easier than ever to apply to multiple positions and remember which jobs you applied to by keeping everything in one place.
Practices Your Professional Skills
If English is not your first language, you have the opportunity to practice your English skills and learn professional communication in the U.S. before your program even begins.
More companies work internationally. You will likely work with people from other cultures throughout your career. Strong skills for working with people from different countries make you more valuable to employers. By reaching out directly to U.S. employers, you practice business English through emailing, video interviewing, and preparing your resume and cover letter—all great preparation for your internship and future career.
Pro tip: Many companies now conduct initial interviews through video platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams. This is great practice for remote communication skills that are essential in today’s work environment.
Builds Your Network and Career Skills
Even if an employer isn’t accepting interns right now, they may be able to connect you with someone else in the industry or remember you for future opportunities. Every conversation is a chance to build your professional network.
The internship search process itself provides valuable skills you’ll use when applying for your first full-time job. It builds independence, communication abilities, and the skills to evaluate different opportunities. It’s important practice for life after graduation, since you’ll likely need to conduct your own job search then too.
Modern networking tip: Use LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your field, join industry groups, and follow companies you’re interested in. Many companies post jobs on LinkedIn before anywhere else, and recruiters actively search for candidates there.
Check out our networking resource to learn more about how to build and use your professional network for future career opportunities. Can’t find the internship you want? Consider creating your own (yes, you read that right!) with these helpful tips.