September 21, 2024

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The semester just started, and there’s already a lot on your plate—new coursework, club meetings, campus jobs, and reconnecting with friends. How do you find time to search for a summer internship?

Here are our top tips to manage your internship search during the school year. 

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Break Things Down

The idea of becoming a LeetCode expert overnight or applying to dozens of companies can feel overwhelming. That’s why breaking down your goals into manageable chunks is key. Each week, set a clear goal that’s both achievable and specific.

These smaller, consistent actions will keep you on track and reduce stress.

Here are some examples of small goals you can set:

• Reach out to 5 alumni on LinkedIn to set up a coffee chat
• Complete 10 Leetcode problems 
• Spend 3 hours working on a portfolio project
• Submit 4 applications 
• Schedule an appointment with the career center
• Complete a company’s online assessment 

Breaking your tasks down into smaller chunks will also show you how much work you are putting in and show you that you are making progress, even if at times it doesn’t feel like it. 

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Create a Weekly Schedule

It’s probably easy to come up with an excuse to push off the internship search. You have a big test next week to study for, don’t even have any interviews to prepare for yet, or are having trouble getting motivated (we’ve all been there).

If getting an internship next summer is a priority of yours, you should treat it that way. Schedule your interview-prep time as if it’s a homework assignment in your class called Getting an Internship. You can set deadlines for these tasks to make sure that you are staying on track to reach your goals. 

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Find a Friend

It’s easy to feel like you’re missing out on all the excitement happening on campus when you’re stuck in the library, grinding through LeetCode problems. One of the best ways to combat the isolation that often comes with the internship application process is to find a friend who’s in the same boat.

Partnering up with classmates or friends who are also preparing for interviews can make a huge difference. Having someone with similar goals helps keep you accountable and motivated. You can work through coding problems together, set aside dedicated time to tackle applications, and even practice mock interviews. 

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Conclusion

Balancing your internship search with a busy semester isn’t easy, but with a bit of planning, you can absolutely make it work. Remember, it’s not about doing everything at once—it’s about taking small, consistent steps. Set your goals, stay organized, and focus on quality over quantity. Before you know it, you'll find yourself making real progress. Stay patient, trust the process, and don’t be afraid to reach out for help along the way. You’ve got this!