Determine which career field or position you would like to learn more about. An internship is most useful if it’s in a career field or with a company that interests you.
HOW DO I RESEARCH POSSIBLE INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES?
- Career Services has partnered with businesses and organizations across the state that have agreed to host students for informational interviews, job shadow days, internships, and other opportunities to build knowledge and skills necessary to successfully navigate their careers. Please contact Career Services to see if we have any internship opportunities in your area!
- One of the best ways to find an internship is to check in with your network. Most CCV instructors are employed in the field in which they teach or have contacts in the field. Reach out to former instructors to see if they know of anyone who might be willing to host you or pass on the information of another company who might host. Checking in with friends and family to see if they have any contacts in the field is also useful.
- Handshake, CCV’s career management platform and job board, has internship postings. To access this tool:
- Go to https://ccv.joinhandshake.com.
- All students should be preregistered. Log in with your regular CCV credentials. If your account isn’t found, you can create a new account using your @ccv.edu email address.
- Begin your search by clicking "Jobs” on the main menu. Use the “Internships” filter and choose a location.
- You can also find local companies in the “Employers” section. Search by location and industry to find contact information.
- Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility lists paid internships with their member businesses: https://vbsr.org/vermont-intern-program/available-jobs/
- The Vermont Department of Labor has a Business Finder that can help you search for all the businesses in a particular industry: http://www.vtlmi.info/employer.cfm. Do keep in mind, though, that many companies in other industries may have careers in your field.
- Browse the Vermont Chamber of Commerce for other business ideas.
- Sometimes internet searching can yield useful results, especially with internships that aren't externally published. Visit the websites of local businesses in your field to see if they have internship listings.
HOW DO I ASK FOR AN INTERNSHIP?
- Have your resume reviewed by Career Services to ensure you are representing yourself as a professional, qualified candidate. Remember that writing a quality resume is time-consuming, so start early!
- Once you have identified a particular business or employer, you will need to call them to find out who can give you information about internship opportunities. Human Resource Offices are a great first step – they are generally the “gate keepers” for this sort of request, and will know all the jobs, and all the employees, in their organization. They may also give you great suggestions outside of their organization of who to contact.
- Clearly explain your interests and why you are requesting an internship. You might say, “Hello, I am a student at the Community College of Vermont and considering a career in ______. As a part of my career exploration and research, I would like to find an internship so that I can learn more about the field.”
- If you have been given a contact person, when you call, make sure that you let them know who referred you and explain exactly why you are calling. You will find that most people are open to talking to a student about how to explore internship opportunities, even if they don’t have one to offer. Stay positive, ask questions, and listen carefully.
- If you have to leave a voice message, make sure to leave your phone number and good days/times to reach you. Review your current voice message to ensure that it provides your name and is professional.
- You may not hear back immediately. Call again in a couple of days, and express enthusiasm for hearing from them.
HOW DO I INTERVIEW FOR AN INTERNSHIP?
- If you are offered an interview, schedule it at a convenient time for you and the employer. Ask how many people will be present – there may be one person, or a whole department. Ask how long an interview to expect – it may be that you are already “in” and the interview is simply a formality, or it may be an integral part of their decision process and take a good part of a day. Reconfirm your interview by phone the day before the scheduled time. Bring your questions and a notepad and pen so that you can take notes.
- Bring plenty of copies of your resume printed on resume paper.
- If you have never done an interview or are nervous, practice beforehand with a friend, classmate or relative. Career Services is also happy to go over commonly asked questions and how to answer them as well as conduct mock interviews.
- If you can’t visit the area before the day of the interview, leave enough time to find the building, parking, etc. Plan to be in their waiting room 5-10 minutes early.
- Always thank the interviewer/s, and also send a thank-you letter after an interview. This may be a paper note or an email, but have someone check your writing for typos and clarity.
WHAT SHOULD I DO DURING AN INTERNSHIP?
- Remember that this is a workplace – dress and behave professionally.
- Internships are great learning experiences, so prepare questions and reflect on your work regularly. Always bring your questions and take notes, summarizing your experiences and evaluating the information that you are learning. What new questions come up? Does this career fit you?
- When you have completed an internship, make sure to thank everyone at the company that hosted or assisted you!
- Sometimes internships can turn into job offers. If you are interested in working for the company in the future, make sure to express your interest and get contact information for hiring managers. Continue to check in as you finish your degree to find out about any openings.
careerservices@ccv.edu
(833) 528-7468
ccv.edu/careerservices