Online job boards are a treasure trove, offering the greatest variety of internship programs. You'll find internships offered by everyone from government departments to big corporates.
💡 Pro tip: Prosple's job board curates top internships for students complete with salary info. You can read reviews by real interns and even follow companies to be notified when they post new openings.
Career fairs are like speed dating for jobs. Recruiters from various companies gather, eager to scout their next batch of interns. There are also career fairs specific to industries like engineering.
💡 Pro tip: Instead of showing up with a stack of CVs, ask to connect with recruiters on Linkedin!
Your professors aren't just there to grade papers. They've got industry connections and insights that could lead you to the right internship. Or they may even be able to offer you an internship themselves!
💡 Pro tip: Explain that you're looking to gain practical experience and professional skills and make sure to prepare specific questions to showing that you've done your homework.
School career centres may know of local internship opportunities or partner with companies to provide internship programs for academic credit.
💡 Pro tip: Book a session with a career counsellor to polish your CV and practice interviews.
Student societies related to your field can be rich sources of information, connections, and ... job opportunities! For example, a data analyst told us that he found out about his future employer through a student society at his school.
💡 Pro tip: Take on leadership roles to build visibility, signal your passion for the field, and raise your success rate when you apply for an internship!
Online communities on platforms like Slack and Discord are buzzing with opportunities – especially in fields like tech. While targeted at experienced professionals, you may still uncover an internship or two by introducing yourself and expressing interest.
💡 Pro tip: Members often happily share career advice too!
Alumni often have a soft spot for their alma mater and want to give back. Engaging with them can open doors to internship opportunities.
💡 Pro tip: Attend alumni networking events, and don't forget a follow-up thank-you email. You can also find alumni on Linkedin – reach out, don’t be shy!
Know what industry you're interested in? Look up the relevant professional associations online. Depending on the field, their website may list internship opportunities or direct you to potential employers.
📝 Note: Professional associations are more common for established professions like law.
Believe it or not, you may be able to find an internship on your favourite social media platforms!
💡 Pro tip: Searching for an internship near you? Use the right hashtags: e.g. #sydneyinternship or #melbourneinternship.
The point of an internship is to gain practical work experience – and nobody says you need to participate in an established internship program to do that.
So if you’re not happy with the options out there, consider creating your own internship! This might mean freelancing or reaching out to local businesses or startups to pitch your services.
💡 Pro tip: Remember that a small business probably doesn't have time to train you, so make a strong case that your skills align with their needs.
If you look in the right places, you'll definitely find the best internships or vacation programs for you. Happy hunting!
Note: Some internship and vacation programs may be unpaid. The Fair Work Act allows for certain types of unpaid work while prohibiting others. Check the Fair Work Act website to make sure your internship is lawful.