Finding an internship: Tips for ACES students

Experiential learning is at the core of education at the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Science. Outside of the classroom, internships are just one way our students get their hands dirty and learn from experts in their field. Over 90% of students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have participated in an experiential learning opportunity, like an internship, research project, or study abroad — and 42% of students received a post-graduation job offer as a result of that learning experience.

While finding an internship can be daunting, there are resources in the College of ACES and across the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to help you find a position you’ll love.

Getting started

Unsure what kind of position you want? ACES Career Services can help. Located in the Funk Library, career services provides one-on-one advice and many helpful resources. Their free handbook has job search advice, example resumes and CVs, and more information that will help you get started. 

There are services outside of the College of ACES, too. U. of I. offers free job preparation through the Career Center – their staff will even help you practice interviewing!

Still feeling overwhelmed? You should also speak to your departmental advisor. They can help you understand what internships are best suited to your career aspirations, and help you get course credit for your internships.

Finding a position

Once you know what you’re looking for, finding an internship comes down to the type of position you want. 

If you’re interested in research, you’re in luck — Illinois offers hundreds of opportunities across a variety of fields. And you wouldn’t be alone: about 40% of undergraduates get involved in research. To explore opportunities, check out your department’s directory, where you can find profiles of faculty members and summaries of their research. When you find a lab that piques your interest, take a moment to read some of their publications and reach out to the professor or one of their grad students.

If you are more interested in working for a business or corporation, Illinois Handshake is a good place to start. Or if you already know where you want to work, go to their website and check for open positions. Some organizations take rolling applications for entry-level and temporary positions, including internships. 

Personal connections

Get in the habit of talking to professors and mentors about your career aspirations — it might lead to an unexpected opportunity. Many students find internships not through online applications and job postings, but rather through networking and personal connections. It pays (literally!) to have good rapport with your professors and talk to them about your research and career aspirations. Even if they can’t offer you a position, they might have industry or campus connections that will prove invaluable in your search. 

Preparing your materials

Once you’re ready to apply, most applications require a resumé and a cover letter or personal statement. Your resumé should be concise, demonstrating to employers your key competencies and experience. If you don’t have much job experience, don’t give up! Think back to your extra-curriculars, volunteer opportunities, and hobbies — what have you learned that could be applicable to your internship? Have you held leadership positions or organized events? Your resumé is the place to show off those skills.

If you’re struggling, this is a good time to go back to career services. Getting a second pair of eyes on your letter of interest or going through interview questions can help you feel prepared and confident.

Starting your internship

Every student at ACES has the abilities and resources to succeed. Once you do find an internship, remember that the position exists for you to learn. Communicating with your supervisor and connecting your work experience to what you’re learning in class are key. Dedication, trustworthiness, and a willingness to learn can turn any internship into a springboard for a successful career.