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home | study, work, & travel | work abroad | options | more tips from a student's perspective
More Tips From a Student's Perspective
Things to Consider
- What region of the world do you want to work in?
- What population do you want to work with?
- Do you have a specific project or research topic that you are set on doing, or are you open to different types of projects that the organization may have available to you?
- How long do you have available for your internship?
- Does your program require specific activities or objectives be carried out, or do you have complete flexibility?
- What languages are required to work in the area you are interested in? What languages are most useful
?
Tips for Finding an Internship
- Check with professors in your program who work internationally. Even if they don't do the exact type of work you are thinking of doing, they can often direct you to someone who does.
- Talk to the office of student services in your department to see if there are any previous students who worked in the area/field you are interested in, and see if you can contact them for more information.
- Check out formal internship programs, even if you don't initially think you are eligible. There are many here at U-M as well as national options, and many of these programs help with funding. Also, look at departments at other universities, which may have additional resources.
Words of Wisdom
- Start early. Do your research and start contacting professors and organizations in advance. This will give you time to find the organization or program that is the best fit for your skills, interests, and availability. You may also need to start the immunization process several months before departing.
- Be both patient and assertive. Many organizations you may be interested in working for do not plan their summer internships in December, yet this may be when you need to start applying for funding. Once you've found an internship, allow plenty of time to receive any documents or verification, and provide appropriate reminders to your contact at the organization.
- Be flexible, but communicate your expectations. Things are bound to change a lot on the ground in the country you plan to work in, and if you aren't prepared you may be surprised to find things not nearly as you expected. However, it is also important to discuss your expectations of the organization and their expectations of you in advance.
- Sell your strengths. Many organizations without formal intern programs may not want to take on an intern if they don't see how it will benefit their work. In your resume and cover letter, highlight your skills and experience that will be of benefit to the organization. Not only do you want to gain personally and professionally from your experience, but you want the organization to benefit from your presence as well.
- Follow instructions on applications. For both formal and informal applications (including funding applications), make sure that you have all of the requested documents, all parts of the application are complete and within page/word limits, and that you have submitted by the date and time deadline.
Useful Links for Finding Internships
- All U-M Career Services: The Career Center and the career offices of U-M Schools & Colleges offer assistance with resumes, cover letters, job and internship listings, and employer visits.
- U-M International Institute: Funding resources; the II's Area Studies Centers are a key to experts in world regions, visiting scholars, lectures, and conferences on current events.
- U-M International Center Education Abroad: Information and resources on all aspects of working and interning abroad. This includes funding for international internships and research, international opportunities for information professionals (SI students), international social work, and international careers and internships in U.S. government affairs.
- Michigan State University Global Access: Resources and other Web sites are searchable by country/region, theme, constituency group, or resource type.
Written by Sara Schmidt, Graduate Student Advisor
University of Michigan International Center
January 2009
Last reviewed: 1/09
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