As your student moves from college to the professional world, internships provide valuable work experience and networking opportunities and help determine career paths. While some students take charge of this process, others may feel unsure where to start. Your support as a parent or family member can aid your student as they start looking for an internship:

Encourage Early Preparation

Starting the search for internships a semester ahead of time is a proactive move. It allows your student to polish their resume, create a strong cover letter, and participate in career fairs and workshops to enhance their job readiness and expand their professional network.

Create a Safe Space for Exploration

The path to finding an internship is not as straight-forward as one would imagine it to be. Encourage your student to explore various industries, locations, and roles. Let them know that it’s okay to change direction if needed. You can help your student feel more at ease by letting them know that their interests might change over time, relieving pressure and enabling them to make well-informed decisions.

Utilize Your Network

As a parent, your professional connections and insights could be beneficial. You can offer to connect your students with people in your network who work in industries they’re interested in without being pushy. Your support in this area could make a big difference. Encourage them to reach out for informational interviews or advice. Networking is one of the best ways to secure internships.

Promote the Career Center

The Career & Co-op Center offers a range of resources, including our job platform Handshake, resume reviews, mock interviews, and one-on-one career advising. Encourage your student to make the most of these services. Many students overlook the wealth of resources available on campus, so a gentle nudge to visit the career center could be just what they need.

Help Develop Life Skills

The internship search can be stressful, and students may feel overwhelmed. Offer practical support by helping them develop life skills like time management, staying organized, and handling stress. Aid them in making a plan for applying to internships and setting realistic weekly targets to make the process easier to handle.

Foster Resilience and Positivity

Rejection is a natural part of any job or internship search. It is important to remind your students that rejection does not reflect their abilities or potential. Encourage perseverance and acknowledge the small achievements along the journey, like landing an interview or getting positive feedback on a resume.

Encourage professionalism

Remind students to dress appropriately, send thank-you notes, and maintain a professional online presence when interacting with employers. Offer to review their LinkedIn profiles or practice interview questions with them.

Respect Their Autonomy

While it’s natural to want to be involved, respecting your student’s autonomy in their internship search is essential. Allow them to make decisions and take ownership of the process. Offer advice and guidance when asked, but avoid micromanaging. The more they own the process, the more confident they’ll become in their abilities.

Celebrate Their Efforts

Celebrate and acknowledge your student’s efforts, regardless of the outcome. The internship search process requires persistence, a willingness to learn, and a growth mindset. Your appreciation and recognition of their efforts can motivate them to keep pushing forward.

As a parent or family member you can help provide the right balance of guidance and support to empower your students to discover internship opportunities that match their career goals.