When it comes to internships, most students dream of getting theirs in the USA - and for a good reason. From media, finance, fashion, and everything in between, the US offers all kinds of internships you will want to vie for.
After all, the United States of America is globally known as the “land of opportunity.” But before you start thinking about getting your dream internship in the USA, there are things you must do to prepare yourself. That way, you will increase your chances of getting accepted.
Do your research
The first thing you must do to acquire your dream internship is to learn more about the process. You should learn more about the field you have chosen, which companies offer internships in that field, how to apply to internships, what skills you need to get accepted, and more. This is especially important if you are a foreign student since you may need to submit more requirements like visas or other special documentation.
Research doesn’t just involve going online and reading different articles. Apart from going through online resources, you should also join forums, watch videos, speak to professionals, and even reach out to the companies you want to apply to.
These are important for you to get a bigger picture of everything you must go through to find the internship that will suit you best. Once you understand how the process works and what you need to do to apply, you can proceed to the next step.
Students tend to think that they have done their best to easily get an internship in the USA. However, not everyone can clear the interview for the first time or write an application essay correctly in English. There’s a way out, though; you can use the online service to write essays from professional English-speaking writers for college students. The writers at EduBirdie gladly help you solve your writing problems, increasing your chance of getting an internship.
Preparing your resume and interview skills
When it comes to finding your dream internship, you will do most of the work yourself. Because of this, two of the most important things you need to do are the preparation of your resume and honing your interview skills.
Since you want to get an internship in the US, you should learn how to “Americanize” your resume. Do some research about how your current resume differs from the resumes in America in terms of format and content. Take note of the differences and make the necessary changes.
To hone your interview skills, you need to research too. You will find plenty of job interview tips online to help you out. After researching, reading, and watching videos, you should find someone to practice with. Ask help from your professors, from experts in the field, speakers, lecturers, and anyone else who’s willing to help you out. Practicing will make things easier for you once you are finally faced with an interviewer for the internship you desire.
Apply at different organizations
When you’re ready to apply, make sure to send your applications to different organizations. You might have found the “perfect” organization while researching and you have set your eyes on it. But if they don’t hire you, what will you do?
To increase your chances of grabbing an internship in the US, it’s recommended to apply to different organizations. Then you should come up with a spreadsheet that allows you to keep track of the companies you have applied to.
The information to include in this spreadsheet is the names of the companies, the company websites, names of the hiring managers, email addresses of the hiring managers, the addresses of the companies, a description of the internships, the salaries they offer, the dates of the internships, and other relevant details.
If several companies offer you internships, you can use this spreadsheet to determine the best one for yourself.
If you manage to apply for an internship in the United States, you may face the problem of writing an essay in some next round. Since English is not your first language, you can always turn to a trusted essay writer from Ca.EduBirdie again. A knowledgeable writer can help you write any kind of academic work, no matter what the subject is.
Follow-up
If you haven’t heard anything from the companies you have applied to, consider following up. The thought of calling a prospective employer and asking about your application might seem scary but that’s normal.
It’s important to follow up to know whether you should cross a company off your list or continue waiting for an opportunity from them. Doing this also gives you an idea of the status of your application. Just make sure to time your follow-up right - around one to 2 weeks after submitting your application.
Have a plan B
Based on recent surveys, around 80% of foreign students who study in the US also intend to work in the US after they graduate. However, only around 30% of these students get an internship or an offer for a full-time job. Knowing this, you must think of what you will do if things don’t work out the way you want them to. Having a “Plan B” increases your chances of finding success no matter where you end up in.
Conclusion
If you want to grab your dream internship in the USA, you must invest in the process. Set aside time for the preparations including the time you need to find the best internship for you. Right now, the process may seem intimidating but once you get into the swing of things, you will realize that it can be a lot of fun. With planning, persistence, and a lot of hard work, you can get the internship of your dreams!
Author’s Bio:
James Collins works for an admission consultancy that helps students pick the right educational course and secure an ivy-league school seat. He helps them to write personal statements, admission essays and complete the application process. In his free time, he shoots for his writing skills vlog and goes cycling around the town.