The Job Before Your First Job

An IT internship can be your strong first step toward a rewarding professional career

- EMMETT DULANEY 

Whether looking for a first job while attending school as a student, or beginning a new career, finding an internship can be a good first step into the information technology (IT) field. It can be a daunting task even knowing where to begin, of course, and you should know that finding the right internship can be nerve-wracking for almost anyone — but it is well worth the effort.

One great thing about IT is that it is something every business, charity, and government agency needs. Not only do major corporations have IT departments, but so, too, does your local museum (with a database that surely needs to be updated) or state park (which likely needs someone to update software on some older machines).

While not every internship may be what you want, each one, whether in the public or private sector, presents unique opportunities that are worth considering. The tips that follow will help you navigate the internship hunting process and increase your odds of finding a place that’s a good fit for you.

Starting to look

As mentioned, looking for an internship can feel overwhelming at times, particularly if it is your first step into a new career. Just remember that you’ve already worked hard to get to where you are now — and expect to work harder to show others your work ethic, tenacity, and skill.

You have to accept that finding an internship is a process: a job in and of itself. It takes time, it takes effort, it takes luck and a great deal of patience. Repetition is something you will likely tire of quickly, as so many applications are similar and ask the same tiring questions: “What is a past situation in which you faced an obstacle?” “Name one time in which you had to solve a conflict.”