Securing a Learning Work Interim Internship can be an exciting and valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in your field of interest. Whether you’re aiming to explore a potential career path or build connections with professionals in your desired industry, the process of finding and securing an internship during the January Interim Term requires a proactive approach. This guide provides essential tips and tools to help you navigate the internship search process and how to utilize Wofford’s Career Center’s available resources. Let’s dive into the key strategies for networking your way to a meaningful internship.
First, the Career Center recommends reading the Learning Work Interim Internship Fact Sheet to help you understand the specifics of the interim internship application, including deadlines and requirements.
Next, you must network for an internship you create on your own. There are four main ways you can network to create an internship opportunity.
- One is to ask family and friends of family or faculty about shadowing opportunities in careers that you are interested in learning more about during the interim.
- The second way to network is through MyMentor. This Career Center resource connects you to Wofford alums who can help you establish a shadowing experience at the place of their work. Many Wofford alums are happy to help fellow Wofford students with this. You can use your Wofford credentials or personal email to create an account. Then click on “Mentors” in the left column to see which alumni match with you. You can contact them via appointment and message them your intentions (see example message below). You can also search for alums using filters on the left-hand column, such as by location, industry, employer, etc.
- Third, you may conduct a similar networking strategy used for MyMentor but using LinkedIn. Here is a video on how you can find Wofford alums, and we suggest reaching out to them by writing a note similar to the one you sent to MyMentor alums. You can click “Connect” when you find alumni working for an employer or industry you are interested in. Then, add your correspondence note mentioning your interest in networking with them to establish a Learning Work Interim Internship opportunity.
- Fourth, we encourage you to attend key Wofford networking events. These events provide valuable opportunities to connect with visiting employers and alumni who can assist in securing shadowing or internship opportunities. Explore our list of events here.
Below is an example of networking correspondence you can send Wofford Alums:
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Dear [Alum’s Name],
I hope you’re doing well. My name is [Your Name]. I am a [your year] student at Wofford College, majoring in [your major]. I came across your profile and was impressed by your work in [industry/field].
For the upcoming January Interim Term, I’m seeking a short 3-week shadowing experience to gain insights into [industry/field]. Would you be open to allowing me to observe your work during this time for Interim?
I’d greatly appreciate your time and am happy to work around your schedule. Thank you for considering this opportunity!
Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]
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Networking is a powerful tool that can open doors to unique internship opportunities, especially when you take full advantage of Wofford’s resources and alumni network. By reaching out to family, faculty, or alums via MyMentor or LinkedIn, you can build connections that lead to valuable shadowing experiences during Interim. Don’t hesitate to personalize your outreach and follow up with those who show interest. With the right approach and a little persistence, you’ll be well on your way to securing an enriching Learning Work Internship opportunity this January.