Nine Strategies to Secure a Paid Internship

Embarking on a summer internship not only provides valuable insights into your chosen career path but can also be a stepping stone towards building a robust professional skillset. What makes the experience even more rewarding? Landing a paid internship. The good news is that the prevalence of paid internships is increasing across various fields, and the Center for Career Development at UConn is here to assist you in finding the right opportunity.

Beyond the intrinsic benefits, statistics reveal that graduates with paid internship experience are more likely to receive job offers and command higher starting salaries compared to their unpaid counterparts. According to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), 66.4 percent of graduates with paid internships received at least one job offer, while only 43.7 percent of unpaid interns secured such offers. Additionally, those with paid internship experience started their careers with an average annual salary of $51,930, in contrast to $35,721 for those with unpaid internships.

Curious about how to land a paid internship? UConn’s Center for Career Development counselors offers the following tips:

1. NETWORK STRATEGICALLY

• Establish connections with alumni in your field through the Husky Mentor Network on the Career Center’s website. Engage in conversations to understand the landscape of paid and unpaid internships in your chosen industry.

1. BEGIN YOUR SEARCH EARLY

• Initiate your internship hunt in the fall before the upcoming summer. Many industries kick off their recruitment during this period, providing access to a wide range of opportunities.

1. UTILIZE CAREER CENTER RESOURCES

• Schedule an appointment with a career coach at the UConn Career Center for guidance on identifying your field of interest and utilizing platforms like Husky Career Link to discover thousands of internship opportunities.

1. EXPAND YOUR NETWORK

• Connect with faculty and alumni in your field. Leverage academic department resources and consult with your academic advisor. Parents can tap into their networks for potential internship opportunities.

1. ATTEND INTERNSHIP FAIRS

• Participate in UConn’s Internship Fair held annually in February at the Student Union.

1. BE STRATEGIC IN YOUR DECISION-MAKING

• Don’t rush to accept the first internship offer. Take time to evaluate the offer and consult with a UConn career counselor. They can guide you on negotiation strategies or redirect you to comparable paid positions.

1. NEGOTIATE COMPENSATION

• Even in the case of unpaid internships, consider negotiating compensation for small expenses like parking, transportation, or other job-related costs.

1. EXPLORE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

• Apply for UConn’s Opportunity Fund, designed to support students pursuing unpaid or minimally paid internships. The fund assists students who may face financial barriers.

1. CONSIDER A CO-OP

• Take your internship experience to the next level by exploring co-op opportunities. Co-ops, which involve a full-time work commitment for a semester, are always paid experiences.