How to Get an Internship as a Freshman

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Myth: “Freshmen don’t get internships”

Fact: Although getting an internship your freshmen year may seem daunting or impossible, I am here to tell you that it is 100% possible. 


Explore your career options. . . the world is yours!
As a freshman, I followed a few simple guidelines and recommendations which ultimately landed me an internship with Procter & Gamble for the summer after my freshmen year! It is never too early to start getting ready for applications and career fairs. The following list will help you check-off the best ways to start preparing for an internship before you even arrive on campus:

1. Research Companies


 Start looking into what type of work you want to be doing in the future. Depending on your interests, such as cars, robotics, chemistry, etc. start researching what different companies have to offer and even what companies are known for hiring freshmen. Once you h
ave a list of potential companies, dive a little deeper and take notes on what they value and what their company has been working on. Knowing about a company before you apply or speak to them at a booth, will give you a huge advantage because it demonstrates your interest.

2. Create/Update your Resume

 Whether you already have a resume or are starting new, always make sure you are following key formatting rules. One of the easiest ways to start a resume is by googling templates and filling in your information. Once you have a rough draft of your resume, have a few different people look over it such as friends, family, or even professors. That way, when you arrive on campus you can go straight to the CCO where they will look over your resume for free and give you professional advice.

3. Get Involved! 

Before you can even have things to put onto your resume you need to start getting involved in clubs and organizations. As soon as you arrive on campus begin looking for ways to get involved and take on leadership both inside and outside of your major. Showing that involvement and leadership from the start will help you stand out when it comes to applying for jobs.


4. Write an Elevator Pitch

First impressions mean everything and at career fairs you only have about 1-3 minutes to get your pitch across. So, start thinking about what things you have been involved with and what you really took away from those clubs that you can now apply to an engineering position. Like the resume, hundreds of examples can be found online to get you started. And once you have a pitch, practice it over and over again to anyone who will listen. The more comfortable you are, the better you will come across when it comes time to meet recruiters.

5. Create a LinkedIn Profile

 Before career fairs even begin or applications open, recruiters start looking for potential internship candidates. And a huge part of this pre-recruiting process takes place through LinkedIn. By simply going to the website, creating a profile, and attaching your resume, you are opening yourself up to so many more opportunities. I would have never heard about Procter & Gamble if it weren’t for them pre-recruiting me on LinkedIn. So, create your profile as soon as possible and start making connections!

Getting a head start on preparation will give you a huge advantage and really increase your chances of finding the perfect internship freshmen year. Besides getting ready on your own, always take advantage of the resources that Purdue offers such as
the CCO where you can do resume reviews, mock interviews, and professional head shots. Purdue wants you to succeed, so get started now and set yourself up for an amazing internship after your freshmen year!

Have any tips or questions about getting internships? Let us know by emailing us at purdue.welink@gmail.com or tagging @PurdueWIEP on social media!

-Megan Tandarich
WE Link Leadership Team


Stay Connected with Purdue WIEP!
Email: purdue.welink@gmail.com
Twitter: @PurdueWIEP
Instagram: @PurdueWIEP
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Blog: purduewiep.blogspot.com


Purdue Women in Engineering

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