1. Set Goals

Before jumping into your search, consider your interests, work values, skills and personality. Use these ideas to set goals for your internship — what do you want to get out of it? If you want to gain experience in a specific job function, you can search by functions like broadcast, editorial, events or public relations. If you want to gain experience in a certain area of interest, you can search by industries like health, sports, fashion, non-profits or entertainment. If you’re unsure about what type of internship you’re interested in pursuing, request an appointment with Michael Elias, the College of Communication internship director, at melias@depaul.edu to discuss your interests and goals.

2. Begin Your Search

Start by visiting DePaul’s curated internship-search platforms: positions from employers promoted by the College of Communication, from our blog and from DePaul’s Handshake board. You can also use non-DePaul-affiliated job search websites like Indeed, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor or Internships.com. When searching on these platforms, use keywords based off of the interests and goals you identified earlier. If you’re interested in working at a particular company, go directly to their website and social media pages to see if they are actively hiring. 

If you’re interested in networking, the DePaul Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK) Network is a great place to start. ASK volunteers can help you explore career options and interact with industry professionals. You can utilize ASK to connect with alumni for networking, advice or mentorship via chat, phone, video or even in person. This HireDePaul blog post can guide you through reaching out to an ASK volunteer for the first time for an informational interview. You can also use offline resources like the Career Center’s career fairs or College of Communication student organizations to connect with various professionals and organizations.

3. Analyze Job Descriptions

Once you’ve found a job title that initially piques your interest, read the job description very carefully, considering whether you are fully interested in and prepared for what the internship will entail. Look at the organization’s website to make sure you align with their missions, values and goals. Then, ask yourself, “Is this a job I want to do? Does it seem like a good fit based on my interests, work values and current skills?” Even if you don’t meet all of the attributes listed in the description, it’s worth applying to any position you’re interested in, as internships are designed to function as learning opportunities that teach you new skills.

However, pay close attention to how a job description identifies specific qualifications. Some skills will be “required” while others will be “preferred,” and you’ll have an easier time reaching the interview stage if you meet the majority of the job’s required attributes. When preparing your application, carefully look at the job description again to take note of all directions for applying. Finally, if you want to earn academic credit for your internship, check whether the position aligns with the DePaul’s internship position standards.

4. Watch Out for Red Flags

• • • Vague job description: When analyzing the job description of an internship that interests you, check whether it’s specific in its description of the job duties. A vague job description may indicate that the company lacks structure, hasn’t planned ahead or that they expect you to do any task they throw at you, regardless of its relevance to your position. 
  • • Mostly “busy work”: Make sure that the description doesn’t mostly cover very simple tasks like clerical work or running errands. This type of internship may not be the best learning environment, as you will likely gain little or no insight into what work in your field looks like. Also, if you plan to use your internship for course credit, the College of Communication requires that less than 25% of the work entailed for your position is clerical.
  • • Poor work-life balance: If the description mentions often working overtime, the employer may be expecting you to make your internship your number one priority, which is an unreasonable expectation for a college student. Additionally, if the description emphasizes being able to handle highly stressful or demanding environments, it may be a sign that the employer will expect too much from the intern in too little time.
  • • Troubling Google results: It’s a good idea to Google search any company you’re planning to apply to and see whether you find any concerning articles or reviews of the company. Also, check out job review sites like Glassdoor to see what employees of the organization have to say about their experience there.
  • • Disorganized interview: If you make it to the interview stage, pay attention to the workplace environment and whether the interview experience seems organized and planned in advance. If the workplace or interview seem chaotic, it may be a sign that the company is disorganized, which means that internship positions may also be disorganized and confusing.

More Internship Resources