There is something about college that seems to change the way students look at summer. From what had once been a period of fun and relaxation suddenly becomes a competitive battle for the best and most prestigious internships. Summer internships have grown into a necessity for college students in order to gain valuable, real life experience, and one cannot forget about the possibility of securing a full-time employment offer for after graduation.

There are many different types of summer internships including paid and unpaid, full-time and part-time, and students should have a clear idea of what they are looking for before beginning their search for a perfect summer internship. Students interested in the field of finance for instance need to begin searching and applying to major investment banks and financial service firms starting in September. Most of these positions are highly selective, only seeking those students with outstanding grades and many extracurricular activities. Because these internships are so competitive, they also tend to pay the most with offers ranging in the thousands of dollars and the possibility of a full-time offer. Other industries hire at different periods throughout the year, with most firms in other industries hiring during the winter.

For students interested in summer internships, there are many preparatory steps that should be taken in order to increase their chances of receiving an offer from the internship of their dreams. The first step is to have an outstanding resume that will make them stand out from the rest of the applicant pool. Often times, a student’s college career center can provide free and useful tips on putting together a stellar resume. If a service like this is unavailable, there are many online sources that can provide tips and useful information on creating a resume. With hundreds of applicants applying for summer internships, it is easy to see how much of a difference a well-written resume can make.

The second step that should be taken involves networking. Networking is a word that is thrown around very often in the business world and with internships. Research shows that up to 80% of jobs are filled through networking, and summer internships are no different. College alumni networks often contain a plethora of graduates in different industries that will more likely than not be willing to help students out. All it takes is a respectful email or phone call asking them to forward your resume to the appropriate person effectively landing yours at the top of the pile. Networking can also be done through family and relatives. Students should contact friends of their parents, professors, and relatives that work in interesting industries and ask for their assistance in either forwarding your resume or getting an interview. Most people enjoy helping out others, and even if they can’t do anything, it never hurts to ask.

Summer internships provide valuable experiences for all students. Whether you want to work in finance, real estate, marketing, or media, there are internships available for you. The most important things to have are a stellar resume and a positive outlook. Stand out from the crowd, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and you will get an internship providing valuable experience that can help not only in school, but during the rest of your professional life. You also may attain a full-time position at the end of the summer allowing you to enjoy your last year of college with one less thing to stress about.