College is starting up again. It’s an exciting time of year. Everyone is signed up for classes and heading back to campus. Fall semester is a fun start to make new friends and cheer on your college football team. While cheering on your college football team with all of your friends is probably the highlight of your week, you are at college for a reason- to get a degree.
While you are working towards your degree, you may wonder what kind of degree and experience you need to land your dream job. Usually this includes an internship. When is the best time to get an internship? If you want to work for an advertising agency or marketing firm, how many internships do you need and when should you start them?
When to Apply for an Internship
You can apply for an internship as early as freshman year. Students typically start an internship during their junior and senior year. This is usually in hopes the internship can lead to a job offer. More and more students work with the same company they did their internship with. If students perform well at their internship, they can be hired on part time and then go full time once they have finished up their degree.
Some of the internships with bigger companies may require you to have previous experience. If you are interested in interning for a big advertising agency, find out the requirements for that internship. If you need experience before, plan ahead. Get the experience before you apply.
Internship Credit
Some universities require students to receive internship credit to earn their degree. If this is the case for you, it is necessary to plan ahead. Schools will not award you credit for a past internship. Students have to take the internship class in conjunction with the actual internship. Reach out to employers you would like to intern for well in advanced. For example, if you want to complete your internship in the fall, register for the class and contact the employer in the spring to plan ahead.
Resources: http://www.internships.com/student/resources/prep/should-i-intern-as-a-college-freshman
https://www.hercampus.com/life/academics/should-you-do-internship-during-semester
