Dreaming of a humanities internship – perhaps curating the next exhibit at a renowned natural history museum, gaining experience in editing at a publishing house, conducting anthropology research abroad, or contributing to human rights advocacy work?
Internships are not only a good way to make some extra money over the summer and build your resume as you prepare to apply to full-time employment or graduate school after graduation – they’re also great opportunities to explore different careers and expand your skillset and knowledge base.
So, how do you get started finding the right match for the summer?
1. Get Familiar with your School’s Resources
College career offices are a gold mine of resources for students looking for a summer internship. They can help you polish your resume, pinpoint your summer internship goals, practice your interviewing skills, and identify and apply for internships. They may even have connections, including college alumni, who they can connect you with.
Best of all, career offices are trained in the nuances of applying for humanities internships, including showcasing humanities-specific skills like communication and writing in your application, storytelling in your applications with complex narratives, and emphasizing passion projects, like a personal podcast or blog series.
In addition to the career office, colleges may offer an online portal including internships specially available to students at your college, some of which may be posted by alumni. Applying to these opportunities can increase your odds of getting a summer internship you love.
Last, don’t forget to get in touch with your professors. Office hours are for homework help, but they’re also for getting to know your professors and even exploring professional opportunities. They may be able to guide and point you in the right direction, or even make some connections for you.
Pro Tip: Set up a meeting with a career counselor early to guide your journey, and return to them as you move to the process. They can help at every step!
2. Network, network, network
Networking may be your most powerful tool for securing an internship in the humanities. Career fairs are a great place to start, along with alumni mentorship programs at your school. You can even reach out cold to alumni working in the field you’re interested in through LinkedIn – just be sure to tailor your outreach to emphasize your shared interest, what you bring to the table, and your appreciation for their time.
Humanities students also benefit from a more tailored networking approach. Specifically, in the humanities, many small organizations like community theaters, museums, or small nonprofit organizations may offer internships that are not well advertised. Writing thoughtful emails may help you find or even create your own opportunity! Many humanities internships are also through academia, making academic student associations, conferences, and academic mentors even more meaningful.
Pro Tip: Set a goal of a meaningful connection with 1-3 people each week!
3. Let Online Databases do the work for you
Many applications are widely available through databases like LinkedIn, Handshake, and any other databases your college may offer. Using these databases often means you can fill out an application once and submit it to several opportunities, sometimes even with a “single click apply” functionality that can save you time. Use these online databases to expand your circle of applications and increase your chances! Humanities students may also want to check out specialized databases like Idealist.org.
Pro Tip: Set a goal of submitting 2-4 applications a week early on in the process.
With a thorough approach, you’ll be on your way in no time. But let’s talk logistics – timelines, organization and funding:
As internships get even more competitive, making sure you’re approaching internship applications with organization is key. Applying early is important as timelines move earlier every year. Some internship applications may even be out as soon as August – for the following summer! This is especially true for the most prestigious internships. Not only that, but staying organized is key. A spreadsheet can help you keep track of your applications, and specifically, information about due dates, letters of recommendation, and interviews.
Lastly, because some internships in the humanities may have low pay or be unpaid, it’s important to get familiar with funding opportunities. Your college may offer scholarships to support low pay or unpaid summer internships – and these often also require applying early and staying organized.
No matter what you choose to do with your summer, approaching internship applications with a plan and making use of the resources available to you can help you make the most of your summer. By being resourceful and getting connected in your field, you can secure the internship that helps you grow academically, professionally, and personally.
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