Taking Advantage of Summer Internships Abroad

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Perhaps you're planning to spend all or part of a year abroad, but for whatever reason (academic or just to strengthen your resume), you need to acquire a internship for the summer after you've completed your study abroad experience.

If you're studying abroad during the fall semester only, you probably don't have worry about searching for an internship until you return to your home university for the spring semester. Most students successfully conduct their internship searches in the spring, with two exceptions:

• If your home university has an active on-campus recruiting program, you may want to check with the career office to see what opportunities may be available in the fall when employers tend to visit campus.
• If you are interested in journalism or government, internships in these fields generally have early deadlines (before the end of fall semester). Take time to do some research before leaving the U.S. to determine deadlines. After you're abroad, you can use the Internet or snail mail to apply for these positions.

If you're studying abroad during the spring semester, when internship searches are at their busiest, you're going to need to follow the steps I outline in the following sections to ensure a successful search from abroad.

Before you go . . .

The key to getting an internship when you return from your study abroad experience is excellent preparation before you leave the U.S. Get a jump on your internship search by taking care of the following details:

• Write your resume and a good sample cover letter before you go abroad. This way your home university's career office can help if you get stuck. Also, create your resume in multiple electronic formats (such as an e-mail version and on your Web site) just in case employers can't receive your resume when it is attached to an e-mail message.
• Choose and research industries that you're interested in. If you have no idea what you want to do, meet with a counselor from the career office.
• Start networking! Use alumni contacts when possible. Select companies and/or professionals which reflect your career goals. Set up phone or in-person informational interviews.
• If you're really interested in a particular employer or internship opportunity, take the time to contact them before you go abroad. Request an early interview, if possible.

While you're away . . .

To keep the ball rolling on your internship search and to stay motivated while you're studying abroad, work on these tasks while you're gone:

• You're going to be busy with your classes, activities, and friends while you're abroad and it will be very easy to avoid or ignore your internship search. Schedule some time to work on your search each week, to make phone calls, e-mail, or do research.
• If you have Internet access, check to see what internship opportunities have been posted at your home university (provided your home university posts opportunities on their Web site or affiliated Web sites).
• When you apply for internship positions, mention that you are currently studying abroad, but are available via telephone and e-mail.
• Follow up with any employers you spoke with before going abroad by letter, e-mail, or phone.
• Use e-mail or snail mail when possible because they are cheaper and more convenient for everyone. If the employer has a Web site, see whether you can apply for positions online. If you must use the phone, make sure to leave messages that mention convenient times (during the workday in the U.S.) you can be reached and leave your e-mail address.
• Don't be afraid to follow up! Keep track of the contacts you have made and follow up at least once with each employer. Politely inquire if your materials have been received and ask about the timeline of the internship selection process.