Kelsie Gibson is an NSHSS Student Council member who attends the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is currently an intern for Tiger Beat/BOP magazines, entertainment magazines which have been around for over forty years. 

During your four years in college, resume building is crucial. Aside from classes and extra-curricular activities, internships are a great way to gain experience in your field of study. And it’s never too early to start looking! Whether it’s local, remote or even abroad, internships not only build your resume but also teach you valuable skills for the future.

Sometimes when searching for internships, the array of choices can seem overwhelming. If you’re having trouble, seek advice from your college’s career services. They are full of valuable resources for landing your dream internship, or at least getting you started. They can help you perfect your resume, write a cover letter and help you search.

Another valuable tool for finding internships is the Internet. It seems like a no brainer, but you would be surprised how many people forget to use this resource. Sometimes it’s a matter of Googling your profession, but other times it requires more effort. If there is a company you are dying to work for, go to their website and find their contact information. Sometimes these websites even have a specific spot for people seeking internships.

One obstacle I did find when looking for internships is location. As a full-time college student, it is hard to land that dream internship when it’s across the globe. But in this day and age, it’s becoming more and more common for companies to take on remote interns, meaning that you can do your work from home. This way you can work and attend school at the same time.

Since this is a crucial time to build your resume, with a remote internship there are more opportunities for multi-tasking. Not only can you take on a remote internship, but you can also take on a local internship. But before you commit, make sure you can handle the time commitment. Make a detailed schedule and set aside time for studying and other activities.

One final piece of advice is to not be discouraged if you don’t immediately land your dream internship. Building a resume takes time. Sometimes smaller organizations can be beneficial in that they often lend more attention to their interns, helping you to learn more. But remember to start early. Be proactive and start looking for those internships now! And, above all, good luck!