How to get an internship: start early, apply widely within a focus, and use people.
Internship hiring often runs on a calendar, and the early applicants have the most choice. A focused plan and a few conversations go a long way.
Start early: many internships, especially at larger employers, open months before they begin. Use your career center and job board, company career pages and alumni contacts. Write a one-page resume that leads with coursework results, projects and campus roles, apply to a focused list, and follow up with recruiters you meet at career fairs. Smaller employers often hire interns closer to the start date.
How internship hiring works
Recruiting calendars
Larger employers may recruit for summer internships many months ahead. Check target employers' career pages early and note deadlines.
Smaller employers
Startups, nonprofits and local businesses may hire interns closer to the start date, sometimes without a formal posting. Ask directly.
Campus routes
Career fairs, info sessions and your career center's job board connect you with employers who want students.
Paid and unpaid
Check whether an internship is paid before applying. Rules on unpaid internships are set by labor law; if you're unsure, ask your career center.
Your internship plan
- List 15 target employers and their application windows.
- Build a one-page student resume.
- Visit the career center and attend one fair.
- Message three alumni or upperclassmen in your field.
- Apply weekly; follow up with recruiters you met.
2 copy-ready templates
Illustrative: names, companies, dates and numbers in these templates and examples are fictional. Replace every bracket with your own true details before you use anything.
Follow-up after a career fair
When to use: Within a day or two of meeting a recruiter.
Hi [Name], it was great to meet you at the [School] career fair on [date]. I enjoyed hearing about [team or project], and I've applied for the [internship] role. I'd be glad to answer any questions. Thank you, [Your name], [Major], [Graduation year]
Ask a small employer about internships
When to use: When there's no posting.
Hello [Name], I'm a [year] [major] student at [School] interested in [field]. I admire [specific work]. Would you consider a [summer / part-time] intern? I could help with [specific task] and I'm available [dates]. Resume attached. Thank you, [Your name]
Disclosure: TryHired makes HIRED, a paid job-search program, so we have a conflict of interest when we mention it. Everything on this page is free to use without buying anything.
When and where to apply
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Large employers | Early; check deadlines months ahead. |
| Small businesses and nonprofits | Closer to the start date; ask directly. |
| Missed deadlines | Look for off-cycle internships and smaller employers. |
| No responses | Tailor the resume and add alumni outreach. |
The same move, done two ways
Illustrative example with fictional details.
| Version | Example |
|---|---|
| Weak | Applied to three famous companies the week before summer. |
| Strong | Applied to fifteen employers over two months, including five small firms contacted directly, and followed up with two recruiters from the fair. |
Why it matters: Internship search is a timing game. Spreading applications across calendars and employer sizes gives you options.
Mistakes to avoid
- Starting too late for large employers.
- Applying only to famous names.
- Not following up after career fairs.
- A resume that lists courses instead of results.
Keep going
Questions people ask
When should I start applying for internships?
Can I get an internship with no experience?
Should I take an unpaid internship?
How many internships should I apply to?
How this page is built
Written by Maid Dizdarevic, a career coach and 8x LinkedIn Top Voice. The steps, scripts and timing guides are practical advice, labelled as advice. We do not publish response rates, success rates or shares of employers, and every example uses fictional details.
- How a specific employer, recruiter or manager will act: practices vary by company, industry and person.
- Legal advice: for contracts, background-check disputes, pay classification or a termination, talk to an employment attorney, the U.S. Department of Labor or your state agency.
- Outcomes: no message, plan or program can promise an interview, a raise or a job.
- TryHired editorial guidance by Maid Dizdarevic, career coach, Nov 4, 2026.