How to Find an Internship

1. Make an Initial Appointment
Make an initial appointment with a staff member in the Office of Career Services (OCS) by calling x7950. In this first internship meeting students will be able to:

• Learn about options for an internship experience including the internship course and the internship application process for the appropriate department
• Discuss how to prepare for a conversation with the appropriate internship faculty contact
• Discuss ideal time frame, location, and type of internship
• Draft or revise a resume and other application materials
• Create an internship search strategy and timeline

In some departments, the faculty member coordinating internships is also happy to help students with the internship search process.

2. Research Opportunities

While securing an internship is the student’s responsibility, staff members in the Office of Career Services and the faculty internship contact in each department are here to help students throughout the process. Research internship opportunities through the Hope College internship listings on Job Stop or networking contacts.

3. Apply

Most internship applications involve submitting a resume and cover letter or letter of inquiry as a first step, and at least one interview as a later step. Some also may involve submitting application forms/essay questions, portfolio demonstrations, or writing samples. Approved off campus semester programs require two applications, one for Hope and one for the program of interest. A staff member in Career Services can help with each step in the application process; call x7950 to make an appointment.

4. Follow-up

Once you have secured an internship, follow up with the appropriate faculty internship contact, Career Services, and any networking contacts that may have helped with the application process.