Winter Internships: Why, When, and How To Apply

Internships have gotten a lot of criticism lately, especially unpaid internships, for overworking their interns but not providing valuable experience.  There are many ways in which interns are extremely valuable to companies. Not only are they paid less (if at all), they are also expected to do the monotonous work that many employees don't want to spend their time on. Boring tasks of filing and data verification have often fallen upon many helpless interns. Beyond that, interns are also a pre-selected talent pool for companies to hire future employees from. @ However, internships have also gained popularity amongst university students. In fact, many universities require an internship as part of the graduation requirements. Internships are good for you because they're your chance to try out a company/job with a short term commitment and help you make your decision. Especially good if you're in your first year because you still have time to change your major if you feel like your job scope is too restrictive in a field that you don't like.

There are many ways you can use an internship to your advantage. You can try to apply for an internship abroad and gain international exposure, or use it as an opportunity to travel and explore a new culture. You could try an internship in a field different from your course. This will help you in two different ways; firstly, you will get relevant experience in the industry that you wouldn't be able to otherwise, and secondly, this would help you as a foundation or background if you ever decide to switch or start your career in that field. Internships can also lead to full time job offers from your employer. So, if you've missed the summer ones, here's your chance to apply and catch up with your coursemates before next year.

So, how do winter internships work? They usually last for 4-6 weeks between the semester terms. Applications open all the way from the summer, like July and go on up to November-end, depending on the company and level of competition.

A question many students who want to do an internship ask is, how do I find internships? There are many ways to find an internship that is in the industry and type of company that you are looking for. Your university career services are usually a great help for this. It is their job to help you figure out what you would like to do (career-wise), and help you find suitable jobs and internships. If you have graduated, would like to find one on your own, or are looking to gain international experience, you can also search through the different job portals. Also, if you know which company you'd like to work for you could call or email the company and check if they are hiring interns, and if so, what the application timeline and process is.

The typical application process for a winter internship is similar to a summer internship or full-time job. Companies will usually require your resume, cover letter, university transcript, and maybe a recommendation letter or two. Once companies short-list you, they will want to conduct at least one round of interviews. Just like with most jobs, your application is merely a way to get your foot in the door. It is your interview that can make or break your fate.

You should also remember that some places offer year-round internships. These tend to be more flexible, and the company might be open to you starting during december and working part-time or on certain days when the semester starts. This sort of longer internship gives you better insight into the company while being able to focus your time on your coursework.