Last updated February 19, 2026

In this article

• Handshake
• Idealist
• StandOutSearch
• WayUp
• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• Federal Internship Finder
• USAJobs.gov
• Your school’s career center
• Apply directly on a company’s website
• Through your network

If you’re looking for a way to gain work experience for your resume or college applications, why not consider an internship? Internships offer valuable hands-on work experience in a variety of professions and fields to help people learn and grow their professional network. From online job boards to school resources, discover where high school and college students can find internships to build skills and explore careers. 

Handshake

Handshake is a popular platform that helps college students find internships and other early-career opportunities. What sets Handshake apart is its ability to connect students directly with employers—you can receive messages from companies, apply to internships, and network with alumni from your school who work at organizations you’re interested in. Because Handshake is a gated platform designed specifically for college students, you must register using a college email address to access opportunities.

Idealist

Idealist is a website where students can find jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities, especially with nonprofits and organizations focused on helping others. You don’t need to create an account to browse opportunities, but making a free profile allows you to save positions you’re interested in. To get started, enter your city and explore internships and volunteer opportunities near you.

StandOutSearch

StandOutSearch is an internship platform created specifically for high school students. It allows you to explore internship opportunities using filters like grade level, interests, paid or unpaid positions, season, and more. No sign up is required to start searching.

WayUp

WayUp is a job and internship platform for college students and recent graduates to search for opportunities, access career advice, and connect directly with employers. WayUp is a gated platform, so you must register and complete a profile before viewing opportunities. Once your profile is complete, you will have access to a dashboard of internship opportunities that match your profile.

Indeed

Indeed is a popular job and internship search website used by students and professionals. You can search for internships by job title, company, or location and filter results by part-time, full-time, or temporary roles. No account is required to browse, but creating a free profile allows you to upload your resume and apply more easily.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a professional networking platform that also helps students find internships and jobs. Students can search for opportunities, follow companies they’re interested in, and connect with professionals and alumni. Creating a profile allows you to showcase your skills, experience, and interests while building your professional network.

Federal Internship Finder

Federal Internship Finder connects students to internship opportunities within the U.S. federal government. It pulls together internships from multiple government agencies in one place, making it easier to explore public service careers. Opportunities are available for high school, college, and graduate students.

USAJobs.gov

USAJobs.gov is the official website for jobs and internships with the U.S. federal government. Students can search for paid internships, summer programs, and entry-level positions across a wide range of fields. Creating an account allows you to apply for positions and track your applications online.

Your school’s career center

If you’re a college student, use the resources offered by your campus career center. In addition to helping you fine-tune your resume and prepare for interviews, many college career centers have great online job and internship boards where students can search for opportunities based on their major or areas of interest. Additionally, career centers have relationships with employers and often are aware of internship opportunities that may be exclusively available to students at your school.

Apply directly on a company’s website

Another way to find internships is by applying directly through a company’s website. Many organizations post internship opportunities on their “Careers” or “Jobs” pages, often with detailed descriptions of the role and internship requirements. Applying directly allows you to target companies you’re genuinely interested in and can sometimes give you access to opportunities that aren’t posted on job boards.

Through your network

Your network is a great place to start your search! Reach out to old coworkers, supervisors, and managers to let them know you’re interested in finding an internship. They may know of an opportunity that could be a great fit for you! You can also tap into your academic connections in college. For example, if you are looking for an internship in media or journalism, you can reach out to your school’s student newspaper advisor to see if they have any helpful connections. Once you are connected with someone who works in your desired industry, you can set up an informational interview to learn more about their profession and any opportunities they may be aware of.

Do you have any questions about finding an internship? Connect with a Get Schooled Advisor.

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In this article

• Create new relationships
• Set personal and professional goals
• Take initiative
• Find a mentor
• Keep a journal of the experience

Landed an internship and want to make a lasting impression while learning and growing your professional skills? We share five ways to make the most of your internship!

Create new relationships

Internships provide a great opportunity to grow your network and meet new people! Your professional relationships typically make up your network—the people you know in a professional capacity who can potentially help you find your next job opportunity. Introduce yourself to your new coworkers, join workplace social events, and learn about the work being done where you’re interning. Don’t be afraid to ask people who have a career path you’re interested in to have lunch or coffee with you during your time as an intern!

Set personal and professional goals

Your internship is a great time to work on specific skills or explore a potential career path, but to do them efficiently, you need to set goals! Make sure you’re clear about each thing you want to accomplish, being as detailed as possible. For example, if you want to enhance your public speaking skills because you know it will be necessary for your chosen career path, work with your internship supervisor to see if there are projects that will allow you to give presentations.

Take initiative

Your internship could sometimes be challenging, busy, or jam-packed with responsibilities. Other times, however, you may find yourself with fewer items on your to-do list. Don’t wait to be told what to do! This is the perfect time to take initiative and ask for new assignments or tasks. Going above and beyond shows your supervisor that you’re driven and can work independently–qualities that increase the likelihood of getting an invite back, securing a strong reference for future opportunities, or even being offered a permanent position!

Find a mentor

A mentor can help you grow your professional skills both during and after your internship. Mentors can give you advice, be a reference for future job opportunities, and help you make important connections throughout your career. If you build a positive relationship with a coworker or supervisor at your internship, consider asking them if they would be open to mentoring you!

Keep a journal of the experience

Take time during your internship to write out not only what you did each day, but the exciting moments, the way successes (and missteps) made you feel, and questions you have about the experience overall. Keeping this type of log may be required by your school (if you’re in college) or the organization you’re interning for, so be sure to check and see what information you should be collecting throughout your time as an intern. Lastly, if you’re thinking about trying out a new job or preparing for an interview, you can reread your journal and reflect on your experience and think of examples to use in an interview or cover letter!

Looking to land an internship to put these tips into action? Here are places you can start your search! Do you have any questions about internships? Connect with a Get Schooled Advisor.

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In this article

• Start by deciding what kind of internship you want
• Prepare your application materials 
• Organize your search
• Be intentional starting your search
• Use your network to find opportunities
• Stay persistent 

If you’re ready to get real-world experience and explore career options, building an internship search plan is a smart first step. Internships offer more than a short-term experience. They can help you figure out what kind of work you enjoy, build practical skills, and create a network of professionals who can support your career goals. Having a clear plan will help you stay focused, land the right opportunity, and take your next steps with confidence. In this article, we’ll show you how to build an internship plan! 

Start by deciding what kind of internship you want

Before you start your search, spend some time thinking about the types of opportunities you want to pursue. Take into consideration your strengths, interests, and long-term goals. An internship can be a perfect opportunity to explore a new field or find an opportunity in your desired career path to determine if it’s what you want to pursue. In general, internships are designed to be learning experiences that help you gain insight into specific industries. 

Consider the following when searching for opportunities: 

• Size – Consider the size of the company you want to work for. How will the size impact your experience?
• Pay – We always encourage students to seek paid opportunities first. Are you willing to take an unpaid internship if the opportunity is intriguing or the right fit? 
• Location – Where do you want to intern? Do you want to look for opportunities that are local, remote, or in a specific city/region?
• Mission – Does the mission of the organization resonate with you? Can you picture yourself representing their mission through your work? 
• Culture – What is the makeup of the team? Will there be other interns going through the experience with you? Will the work you do be collaborative, independent, or structured?
• Diversity & Inclusion – Does the organization have a commitment to equity and representation? 
• Benefits – Aside from pay, are there other benefits like paid time off, flexible hours, or professional development? 

Regardless of the type of opportunity you’re looking for, it’s important to take some time to consider what’s going to be the best fit for you, your schedule, and your obligations.

Prepare your application materials 

Resumes and cover letters are often the first way employers get to know you, so you’ll want to make sure they represent who you are. Both should be reviewed ahead of time and free of any errors when you submit. Your resume should incorporate all of the relevant information that demonstrates that you have the experience, education, and skills to succeed and grow in your internship role.

While not every job you apply for will require you to submit a cover letter, doing so anyways can help you stand out from other candidates. An effective cover letter should explain your interest in the position you’re applying for and highlight the skills and experience that make you the best candidate. We recommend drafting a basic cover letter template that highlights your experience and skills and tailoring it to each position you apply for. 

Organize your search

Depending on how many opportunities you are pursuing, it’s a good idea to keep track of your applications throughout the internship search process. Use our free Internship Search Tracker to get started! You can keep track of the internships you applied for, application statuses, important contacts, required application materials, and any other relevant information.

Be intentional starting your search

Focus on internships that align with your goals. Use internship boards, LinkedIn, your college’s career center, and company websites to find opportunities that interest you. When you apply, make sure to tailor your resume and cover letter to match the role. Hiring managers can tell when you’re genuinely interested!

Be sure to look for internship opportunities with plenty of time. Many internships, especially those held in the summer, begin recruiting and hiring months in advance. Handshake recommends that students prep their application materials about 4 months prior to applying or starting. This will allow plenty of time to ask for feedback from peers and mentors! 

Use your network to find opportunities

A solid internship search plan includes more than just online applications. Your network can be a powerful tool in helping you find the right fit. Start by talking to people you already know within your network, such as coworkers, professors, advisors, or supervisors who may be aware of internships you haven’t heard of. Friends, classmates, or family members might also have leads or tips based on their own work experience. Don’t hesitate to lean on your network to find new opportunities! 

Attending job fairs, workshops, or employer events can also be helpful. If you use LinkedIn, follow companies you’re interested in and connect with people who work there. A short message asking about their internship experiences or advice can go a long way! Most people are happy to help when you ask respectfully.

Stay persistent 

Applying for internships takes persistence and follow-through, and it’s easy to feel discouraged if you don’t hear back from employers. Keep at it! Every application you submit and interview you go through builds skills and experience. When you take time to build an internship search plan that reflects your interests and needs, you’re setting yourself up for success! 

Do you have any questions about building your internship search plan? Connect with a Get Schooled Advisor.

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