Since the beginning of organized society, job searches have never been easy.
In fact, many would argue looking for a job is harder than holding down the job itself. And especially to the young students of the University of Guelph-Humber taking their first tentative steps into the industries of their choice, it can be intimidating and disheartening.
But not only is an internship a requirement to graduate from the Media and Communication Studies program, they are also the perfect baptism into your respective field. And as frustrating it can be at times, this will ultimately get your foot in the door and catalyze you into your future career.
The following is a compilation of tips, tricks, and nuggets of wisdom that should aid you in your search for your internship.
All you need on your part is a little common sense, resourcefulness, a positive attitude, and a lot resilience.
Google is your friend.
Like I said, common sense. Sometimes, you just can’t beat the classics.
The magical godlike power of the Google search engine should never be undererstimated. Simply searching “media studies internship (insert location name here)” might be casting the net wide, but it’s bound to reap you some quality results to begin your search.
Traditional job bulletins are a must.
The natural subsequent step to a generic Google search is the online job bulletin, such as Indeed, Glassdoor, Monster, Simply Hired, ZipRecruiter and too many more to individually name.
The beauty of these databases is that they allow you to take a more nuanced approach to job searches by putting in specific details of what you’re looking for, whether it’s location, employment type, commitment level, number of hours, or wages. This tool would make it easier to search for media-related opportunities.
But I’m sure you already knew this; they helped you find that job at Tim Horton’s while you were in high school, after all. They may just help you again in looking for your internship.
Take advantage of GHWorks.
As a student paying hard-earned tuition money to attend this school, you’d be foolish not to capitalize off of the University of Guelph-Humber’s many resources, especially GHWorks.
If you’re a student or alumni of the University of Guelph-Humber, you have access to this database, which lists a plethora of employment, internship, co-op and other placement opportunties in and around the Guelph-Humber community. Make sure to check it periodically; you might find something of interest to you not too far from home.
Attend career fairs.
Throughout the year, career fairs occur at the University of Guelph-Humber, as well as other universities and colleges. Don’t miss out on these chances to build your network, meet potential employers, discover new pathways, find new opportunities, meet likeminded people, and make some new friends.
Make the most of social media.
LinkedIn is the obvious choice for internship opportunities, but places like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are also worthwhile places to look if you’re paying attention. Perhaps you should follow a few organizations you’re interested in, do some research, send a few inquiries, and maybe the right opportunities will unveil themselves to you.
Talk to your classmates and instructors.
The wonderful thing about belonging to the Guelph-Humber community is realizing that you are not alone in this challenge. All of your fellow Media and Communication Studies classmates need to go through this internship process to graduate, so why not take advantage of the solidarity and talk to your friends, instructors, and academic advisor about your search. You’d be surprised at what they might have to offer if you simply ask.
Look around your local community.
You’d be surprised how often we miss opportunities simply because we take our immediate surroundings for granted.
You might be from a smaller town or a less bustling community that doesn’t seem to offer much at first glance, but maybe if you took the time to research and shop around, you might just find something that was under your nose this whole time. You might not think much of the small businesses in your area, the local newspaper, or the community television station, but don’t disregard them simply for not being glamorous – they might just have exactly what you’re looking for.
Beyond the actual process of looking for your internship, much of the probability of your success comes down to your mental attitude.
Here are a few tidbits to keep in mind:
Don’t be afraid to try something new and out of your comfort zone.
In fact, now is the perfect time to take risks and discover new interests. Although it’s recommended that you take an internship that relates to your specialization, it’s not a rule set in stone. Just because you’re specializing in Public Relations doesn’t mean you can’t take a job that’s more akin to Multimedia Journalism. It’s all part of the experience and your self-discovery. Don’t be afraid to wander off the beaten path before you. Who knows? You might just find your true calling then.
Don’t be a snob.
There’s a good chance that you won’t love your first internship. It might not and it’s an imperfect opportunity at best.
But an imperfect opportunity is an opportunity nonetheless. Take it, make the most of it, and better things will come because of it.
Never give up.
For many of you, this will be a long and difficult process.
It will get hard. You will be rejected. You will be demoralized.
In spite of all that, believe in yourself and keep going.
As long as you go through it, you will find results. Trust the process. Trust yourself. Remember that you are good enough to have made it this far; you are good enough find something worthwhile.
You might need to apply to a hundred employers, but you only need one to say yes.
Best of luck to all of you on your internship search.