Guidance
Where To Find Internships
Here, There, Everywhere: Start your internship search with these key places
By Chris Daniels
Many companies field applicants from college and university job boards. They also seek out interns by posting on their website, LinkedIn and other social media profiles, as well as popular job search websites.
But many opportunities are not advertised, and are filled by word of mouth, referrals or unsolicited outreach. That is why Aman Gulati, founder of Miami Ad School Toronto, recommends students physically get out. “Network at events and be seen,” he says. “Students should also hone their online presence and follow agencies on social platforms.”
Also, don’t be afraid to contact a placement on your wish list, even if they aren’t advertising for interns. “We have never advertised; we’ve only interviewed students who have contacted us,” says Claire Dawson, co-founder and creative director at Toronto-based graphic design firm Underline Studio, which only offers internships for school credit.
“We’ve hired several designers that interned with us,” she says. “And if they’re good, we often ask them back when we need freelance help.”
To understand your rights as an intern, the Canadian Intern Association has an informative website. The site includes sections called “Wall of Shame” and “Wall of Fame” that celebrate companies with good internships and denounce those with questionable and possibly illegal practices.
Chris Daniels is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Applied Arts, Maclean’s, and Marketing.
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2016 issue of Applied Arts.
Photo by KOBU Agency on Unsplash
