Internships

Resume & cover letter

It is important to make a good first impression with your resume and cover letter. These documents are sometimes your only opportunity to land an interview; perfection is crucial. If you need assistance with your resume or cover letter, please sign up for the “Writing Resumes & Cover Letters” workshop or set up an individual appointment with Haley Brown, Student Services Coordinator: 621-3130 or hbrown120@maine.edu.

Interviewing skills

An interview is your opportunity to show a potential supervisor your ability to present yourself in a professional manner, both verbally and non-verbally. It’s also a time to convince him/her that you are truly interested and are the perfect fit for the organization. For help with your interviewing skills, attend the “Successful Interviewing” workshop or set up a mock interview with Haley Brown: 621-3130 or hbrown120@maine.edu.

Motivation and persistence!

An internship may not fall in your lap. Similarly to a job search, it can take time, energy, and persistence to find an internship opportunity, especially since not all internships are posted. Some organizations may hire interns without advertising, and some may consider accepting an intern for the first time – if you ask them. These hidden opportunities require you to reach out to organizations where you want to do your internship, not necessarily the ones who ask you to apply.

Start your search early, and don’t get discouraged if your first few attempts don’t pan out. Continue networking with professionals in your field to learn about new opportunities.

Most internships are unpaid, so don’t expect a paycheck when you apply. However, keep in mind that under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the U.S. Department of Labor has put forth specific guidelines that outline under which circumstances interns must be paid. For more information on these guidelines, visit http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs71.pdf. Remember that an internship is about gaining experience, building your network, and potentially receiving a job offer.