Landing your first internship can be tough. As a college athlete nearing graduation, I didn’t have ANY professional work experience on my resume. I felt so intimidated and unsure if I’d be able to secure an internship. For the most part, the only job experience I could fit in between training, competing and traveling was babysitting and camp counselor jobs.
If you’re not sure where to start or feel unsure of the process- don’t fret! Every successful person had to start somewhere. They all needed to find their first opportunity, just like you. Here are a few steps athletes can take when trying to land their first internship.
How to Land Your First Internship as an Athlete
Connect with your college’s career center. I once worked in a career services office and can say with confidence: your college or university’s career center is a great resource for finding internships. Counselors can help you with everything from creating a resume to finding job openings. As an athlete, these are free services that you should really take advantage of while you’re on campus.
Use job search websites. Websites like Glassdoor and Handshake have millions of job listings, so you’re bound to find something that’s right for you. Spend a few minutes each week searching for internship titles you’re interested in, and narrow results down by location, size, industry, company ratings and more. Keep track of your progress in an excel spreadsheet so that you can reference companies or internships you’ve applied to already.
Attend career fairs. I scored my first full-time job at a career fair. They might seem old school but they really do work! Career fairs are a great way to meet potential employers and learn about different companies. Having a face-to-face opportunity to meet your future boss or can also help you stand out from the hundreds of resumes they receive. Don’t forget to bring copies of your resume and dress professionally
Network. While you’re in school, talk to your professors, classmates, and family members about your interests and goals. They may know of internships that would be a good fit for you.
Apply early. One thing I didn’t realize is that many companies start recruiting for internships months in advance. Instead of waiting until senior year or until graduation, start your search months early. This will give you more time to find the right opportunity and prepare your application without feeling rushed or pressed for time.
Talk to your coach. Before you wrap up your playing career, ask your coach if he or she can put you in touch with former players. It’s possible that your coach has worked with athletes who are now really successful in their fields. Those athletes may work at companies or organizations that are looking to hire interns.
Be persistent. In today’s job market, finding an internship can be tough, but don’t give up! I applied to dozens and dozens of positions and went on so many interviews- many of them didn’t work out. Don’t let rejection or a ton of unanswered applications get you down. Keep applying to different opportunities and refining your application materials until you find the right fit.