Davis Dow: How to Land an Internship

A question I always get from new students is how they can land an internship their sophomore, even freshman year. There is no cookie cutter answer to this question, as the majority of offerings are meant to be for someone's junior year summer, with the intention of a full time return offer. I was fortunate enough to land an internship in EY’s rotational summer program for my sophomore summer however, so these are some things that I would recommend to every freshman and sophomore.

Be on top of the game. Specifically, you need to be searching for opportunities the summer prior and even before then as well. Lots of Big 4 and other opportunities open before the school year even starts, and being even a few weeks later than other candidates can be the difference between getting an interview or not. If you’re ever unsure about a company’s timeline, definitely ask someone within your major if they know it. Chances are, they’ve already gone through the process!

Get involved on campus. Join as many clubs and organizations as possible, and preferably become a leader within those groups. Having a few items to show what you did with your early college time is so so important, as sophomore offerings are thin and any differentiating aspects on your resume is crucial.

And finally, networking is the most important. During my recruiting process for EY, I networked with multiple partners who I cold-messaged on LinkedIn, and luckily got them to refer my application.  This guaranteed me the first round interview, the first major roadblock in landing your internship. Connect with as many people as possible, especially SCU alumni! They will be more than happy to give some of their time.

             Landing an internship early in college isn’t easy, but with the right approach, starting your search early, getting involved on campus, and actively networking, you can set yourself up for success. Every path is different, but taking these steps will give you the best shot at securing an opportunity that will jumpstart your career.

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