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Define your Internship: Identify your Goals
Finding an internship takes planning, organization and initiative. The first step in the process is to identify your goals and expectations. This will help you focus your search.
Before you begin your internship search, ask yourself these questions: What is your mission? What do you hope to gain from your internship experience? Is your internship a vehicle to be used to:
- Base a decision on an academic major?
- Try out a particular career field?
- Acquire broad exposure to an industry?
- Develop specific skills?
- Gain professional experience and a competitive edge?
- Learn while having fun?
- Engage in research or independent study?
- Improve foreign language skills?
- Explore a new culture of geographical area?
- Earn money?
Keep these goals in mind as you search for opportunities; use them to narrow down your field of potential opportunities to those that will best match your goals.
Define Your Internship: Practical Considerations
Additionally, you should also ask yourself practical questions on topics including geography, housing and finances.
Geography: Do you want to be at home this summer or live in a new city or environment? Are you hoping to go abroad or stay in the U.S.? If abroad, what countries or regions?
Housing: Will you have access to housing? Do you have friends or relatives with whom you can stay? Are there university-based housing options available? How much does housing typically cost?
Finances: Do you need to get paid or can you afford an unpaid opportunity? What is the cost of living in the area? Is there any funding available?
Work Visas: International students who want to work in the U.S. over the summer have visa issues to consider. For questions regarding working in the U.S. speak with a representative in the Yale Office of International Students and Scholars.
For more information on each of these areas, refer to the “Application and Resource Info” section.
Interning Internationally
The two primary ways of developing an international opportunity is to either apply to a coordinated internship, volunteer program or independently develop an opportunity to propose to the organization. While this may seem obvious, there are many variables involved in the process with advantages and disadvantages to both so the individual must decide which route would best fit personal goals. Whichever path you take, securing an international internship requires commitment, flexibility, follow-through and patience.
Language is a consideration that might also determine location. Interning abroad is not the most efficient means to "learn" a language - for that, an individual might consider instead, a language study program. Of course, your language skills will improve through daily interaction but a certain level of proficiency is required so that you may collaborate with colleagues, and conduct daily business in the workplace. Be sure the language expectation is clear when you query about an opportunity.
Many students opt to attain an internship experience outside the U.S. or away from their home country. An individual can gain valuable work experience in an international setting as well as benefit from the opportunity to live in and learn about a culture different from their own. Taking part in a global exchange can bring immeasurable benefit. An individual's perspective, after being overseas is broadened dramatically. The experience can open up a whole new world (literally!) of possibilities. Step outside your comfort zone and discover your strengths. Before you embark on this adventure however, exploration and thorough research of opportunities is key.
Taking this on is not for the 'faint-hearted.' There is numerous coordination details involved and depending on the locale- may also pose a financial challenge. The notion of an internship is prevalent primarily in the U.S. Many businesses outside the U.S. do not recognize an internship or practical training as part of an individual's experiential education. The responsibility may be up to you, the applicant, to introduce the idea of an internship to your prospective sponsor/host. Furthermore, to ensure success, aside from having the skills that will contribute to the position, an individual should possess attributes such as sensitivity and open-mindedness to a new culture, people, customs; flexibility, professionalism and respect for differing work styles/settings. Finding and shaping your opportunity as well as succeeding in the internship will require a great amount of initiative, motivation.
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