We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners.
Every year, fresh-faced college students venture out into the world of work, completing assignments as interns at major firms. These students hold high hopes that their hard work will lead to permanent careers after graduation. In most cases, though, students are disheartened to find out that the opposite is true. The majority of students will not find jobs with their intern companies. By understanding the factors that determine which students get hired, aspiring interns can maximize their chances for placement after graduation.
Suggested Reading: The Intern Files: How to Get, Keep, and Make the Most of Your Internship
Start With Your search
The first place to start looking for companies that hire interns is with the internship search. Thoroughly research the companies that you are interested in joining permanently. Look for career opportunities on their website that fit your area of expertise. A company that is actively hiring is more likely to hire their interns than one that is not. Look for entry-level positions that are tailored toward recent graduates.
Timing is Everything
One of the main reasons that some interns are not hired for positions after graduation is because their timetables don’t match the employer’s needs. Students that intern during their sophomore or junior year won’t be available to work for another one to two years. A intern who is a senior has a greater chance of being on staff when a position becomes open. Find out if your department head will allow you to complete your internship during your last semester. This way you can transition straight into a career if one becomes available.
Think Small
Skip the big companies with the panache and prestige. Every intern wants those placements, and as such, there will be more competition for limited permanent slots. The larger firms are less likely to hire interns because their job openings are in such high demand. For what they would pay a recent grad, they can hire an experienced professional. Go for small firms and startups that need extra help. A prime example of this is the Made in New York Tech Meetup site. This site lists hundreds of companies that are looking for creative interns and permanent staff.
Not only will you have a better chance of landing a job, you will have more opportunities to learn and gain valuable job skills. In a larger firm, you may be relegated to making copies and getting coffee. At small firms, you may have the opportunity to work on projects, give input and enjoy decision-making responsibility.
Maximize Your Time With the Company
One of the best ways to get hired from your internship is to become valuable in your company. Participate in projects and offer fresh ideas. If you have an idea about how to reach customers in your age range, pitch a new product or marketing idea. Work closely with your mentor and volunteer to take on extra projects as they become available. Build up your portfolio with the work you have performed.
Another tactic to get your foot in the door at your intern company is to find out if they hire temporary staff. Often companies hire administrative staff from staffing firms. Register with these firms while you are still working at the company. If you don’t receive a job offer at the end of your internship term, go to your staffing firm and asked to be placed as a temporary employee of the company. Often these placements lead to permanent work.
Companies that Hire Interns
Finding a company that hires interns starts with the job posting. Often these postings will include the phrase “training program.” The New York City Mayor’s Office of Film is one such internship. The Made in New York Production Assistant Training Program specifically trains interns to work on movie sets in New York City. These placements lead to permanent jobs that pay a competitive wage. The starting salary for these positions is between $35,000 and $51,000.
– more – Importance of Interns
When it comes to working at a business after graduation, not much else is on the same level as being your own boss. Each year, College Works Painting’s successful district managers train students to becomes leaders and manage a painting project from start to finish. The programs helps student gain direct experience in customer service, organizing projects, and budgeting.
With these couple of examples and by conducting a thorough
Other Resources:
We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content.
Good luck in your search,
Joey
