Finding an Internship
Internships may be found in a spectrum of settings, including not-for-profit agencies, government offices, and corporations. They may be part-time or full-time and may last one or more semesters or a full summer. Employers who sponsor interns have an interest in preparing future professionals; in turn, interns help employers accomplish projects that may not have been possible otherwise. Most employers consider internship experience in the hiring process, and many look to their own interns as potential candidates for full-time positions.
Identifying Fields of Interest
You may have a good sense of your interest areas. If you don't however, know that you are in good company. Self-assessment is the first step in career develoment. If you are uncertain about your fields of interest please click here for self-assessment tools. If you have an idea of what you want to do, the prompts below will help your internship search. Please don't feel that you need to have an answer for every question. However, if you find that you cannot respond to any of the prompts in the "Interest Areas" column, check out the self-assessment tools.
| Interest Areas | Logistical Considerations |
| work field (medical, business, etc.) |
location (international, country, state, city, urban, suburban) |
| occupation (lawyer, graphic designer, teacher, psychologist) |
full-time or part-time (# of days per week, hours, weekends, etc.) |
| sub-categories (e.g. medical internship: research or physician) |
time commitment (summer, semester, year) |
| individual internship or program (one intern office or team of interns) |
paid or unpaid |
| staff dynamics (team-based work or individual projects) |
company (large, small) |
| skills (skills you have vs. those you want to utilize, improve, or develop) |
work environment (casual, formal) |
Finding Organizations
Internship Listings
Wellesley College subscribes to a number of databases and search engines that provide current internship and job postings from various organizations. Recommended sites include MyCWS and LACN (Liberal Arts Career Network).
Company Listings and Industry Profiles
If you have a specific area of interest and geographic preferences, searching for companies as opposed to internship postings might yield more useful results. Research your field of interest, identify positions and departments that most excite you, and generate a list of companies. Recommended sites include Career Search*, LACN Spotlight on Careers, and Vault*.
* To enter these databases a password is required. Please visit CLOE (Career and Life Online Exploration) resources in the Resource Library of MyCWS, or call 781.283.2352 for a complete listing of all of our passwords.
Internships Abroad
When applying for an internship overseas, it is important to consider the following:
"Internship" has various definitions across cultures
It is important to research the conceptual meaning of an internship in the cultural context of the country in which you intend to work. You might use the following synonyms in your cover letters, phone conversations, emails, and other communications with international organizations to help describe your desired position:
- volunteer
- apprentice
- employee
- assistant
- trainee
- researcher
- investigator
- student worker
Language
When corresponding with organizations outside the United States, send the cover letter, resume, reference, and other application materials in the country's primary language and a second set in English. If you contact the organization directly, you can ask the staff directly about the form in which they prefer to receive your materials.
Expected Application Materials
Application materials vary from country to country and company to company. It is important to consider these differences before submitting your application. In the U.S., resumes and cover letters are standard. Utilize the resources available in the CWS library or connect via the W Network with alumnae residing in you country of interest.
School Calendars
Many countries maintain different academic and summer schedules than the United States. Consider the time and type of internship you wish to pursue in relation to a particular country's calendar. In other words, if you are pursuing a January internship in an Australian preschool, which is during their summer break, the opportunities would be very limited if at all possible.
Visa Requirements
When pursuing internship opportunities abroad, consider securing an unpaid internship. Because of the difficulty in obtaining work visas, unpaid internships lend the most flexibility, variety, and success. If placed overseas by a U.S. firm that will secure you a work visa, then you are able to work overseas. The CWS also sponsors students who undertake internship and community service projects both domestically and internationally. Therefore, if an organization is both not paying you and unable to provide you with a work visa, you can apply for a stipend and will then need to secure a work visa on your own.
Fee-Based Programs
Before pursuing internships through fee-based programs, the CWS strongly encourages you to utilize the wide array of resources and opportunities available free of charge. Fee-based programs are typically offered by independent placement agencies and require payment for participation, that often includes airfare, room, and board.
Programs Requiring Academic Credit
Unpaid internships in some industries require that the intern receive academic credit. While Wellesley College does not award academic credit for internships, the CWS can serve as a resource to students needing to meet that requirement. Contact Tere Ramos at tramos@wellesley.edu for more information.
Overseas Internship Databases and Resources
Wellesley College subscribes to numerous databases and programs as well as develops its own resources to aid students in their career development. To access these databases a password may be required. Please visit MyCWS for a complete listing of passwords, or call 781.283.2352.