Drake will equip you with the know-how you need within a classroom, but you need to complement that with “real-world” experience. To get that, you need an internship (or your field’s equivalent) to pad out your resume. Here’s how to hunt one out yourself or spot one in the wild.
The resource with the most postings across all majors and position types is Handshake. Fill out your profile—the more information the better—and the site will match your personal preferences with employers looking for someone with your skills. I’ll admit my profile is only half-filled out, but already I’ve been amazed at the sheer number of opportunities available through the site. And, I could apply to any of them with a click of my mouse.
Another place to look is social media. I don’t know about other departments, but the J-School is killer at using Facebook to advertise available internships. Follow your school or major on social media to watch for postings. View the Drake social media directory.
Also, use your advisors and professors. Pick their brains after class. Professors usually have their ears to the ground and might hook you up or have opportunities for you themselves.
Finally, never say no to an opportunity and always be open to what might fall into your lap. I’ve had four internships and I got three of them by happenstance. Freshman year my roommate wanted to go to a writing internship orientation and didn’t want to go alone. I came along and left with an internship. The next year, I got an internship through an interview I did for a Times Delphic story. I interviewed someone in the University Communications & Marketing department, which led to an interview for an Editorial internship (and I’m still here). My other current internship I got—no joke—because the communications and grant coordinator came through my line at Hy-Vee this summer, where I was a cashier. I recognized her organization and asked about internship opportunities. That led to an interview and that led to an internship.
However, there is one thing you always need to say no to: unpaid internships that won’t teach you anything. They’re a big waste of your time. Never sign on to an unpaid internship that will only teach you what kind of coffee your supervisor likes.
That being said, don’t count out unpaid internships. My summer internship with the Iowa International Center was unpaid, but I learned a lot and got a first-hand look at how communications works in nonprofits. A friend had a summer paid internship where she was doing a lot of time-consuming, menial tasks. Whenever we compared our workdays, my internship always “won.” With unpaid internships, you can usually choose your work hours, so you can match your unpaid internship with a part-time or full-time paid job. You have to pay your student loans somehow.
Nevertheless, the best way to pay back those loans is with a great, well-paying job after Drake. To do that, you need a well-rounded resume. How do you get that? Internships.
Ellen Koester, University Communications & Marketing Intern, JO’19, AS’19
