Finding Internships
When you are preparing to apply to internships it is a good idea to plan ahead! Some companies and organizations (i.e., the Federal Government, Finance/Consulting, etc.) have deadlines as early as November for summer internships. Typically most internship openings will be posted between December and March. It is best to begin researching possible paths in the fall semester and to begin reaching out to companies/organizations over winter break.
Looking for internships is similar to looking for jobs. There are several strategies you can use to find an internship. You can:
- Look for internship listings on websites and in newspapers and directories
- Identify prospective employers/organizations and contact them about internship opportunities
- Network to find out about hidden internship opportunities
It is best to use a combination of these strategies rather than relying on just one approach. More information on each strategy is included below, and we are here to help. A staff member in the Center for Career Education would be happy to help you with your individual internship search strategy.
Internship Listings
Below are some examples of where you can begin searching for advertised internship opportunities. More industry-specific internship resources are provided in our Internship Resource Directory (792K). Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of resources; to learn more about options in your area of interest, you may want to schedule an appointment with a counselor. Additionally, the CCE library houses a number of useful print internship guides and directories that you may wish to peruse.
Handshake
Handshake provides students with access to Vassar’s job and internship database. This is where we post opportunities when alums, parents and friends of Vassar, or employers contact us. You can log into your account with your email address and password through Vassar Single Sign-On.
Internships-USA
Internships-USA publishes 14 internship guides organized by the following categories: advertising; community and social service; congressional; environmental; history; human rights; international affairs; media; museums; law and policy; resort/seasonal; sports; top companies; and women’s rights.
Internships.com
You can also search for a variety of internships based on interest, location, etc. on Internships.com. Take the "Internship Predictor" to match your interests and skills to actual opportunities.
Vault Campus
Vault Campus provides a variety of career guides, with which to conduct company and industry research as well as a jobs and internships database. To create a free account on Vault you must first navigate from our CCE homepage and then use your Vassar email address to set up an account.
Idealist
Idealist is a great resource for students interested in non-profit careers/social justice/etc. Use this resource to search for internship, job, or volunteer opportunities and connect with people and organizations that you’re interested in.
Researching Prospective Companies & Organizations
Another way to look for internships is to identify prospective companies & organizations by field of interest and/or geographic area. After you’ve researched a particular company or organization, contact them to inquire about internship possibilities. You can use both LinkedIn and Glassdoor to search for specific companies or organizations that are engaged in work that is of interest to you. Another resource that students can use to target employers and specific locations (within the United States) is:
CareerOneStop
CareerOneStop’s Employer Locator tool allows you to identify companies/organizations by industry, occupation, location, or keyword.
Networking
One of the best ways to secure an internship opportunity is through networking. Seek out opportunities to conduct an informational interview with people who work in your fields of interest. Ask them questions about: the industry, where to look for internships in this industry, and whether there are people you should talk to, publications you should read, or email lists you should subscribe to that may aid you in your quest to become more familiar with that industry. More information about how to network and some of the networking opportunities, resources, and communities that are available to students and alums can be found in the Networking section of our website.
Alum Directory
Vassar alum are an incredible source of career advice and support for students and alums at all stages. The Alum Directory allows you to search for alums using a variety of career-related search criteria. The directory also allows you to directly contact alums through an integrated email service.
LinkedIn is a powerful resource for career networking. Here are some tips for connecting with alums on LinkedIn:
- Join the Vassar College Alums group and other related sub-groups to find alums in your field(s) of interest.
- Use the Advanced Search features to find people in specific organizations and industries.
- Check out Vassar’s “University Page” on LinkedIn to explore the careers of the more than 20,000 Vassar alums.