How I Landed My Dream Internship at Age 17

Landing an internship is easier said than done, but the same goes with most things in life. 

For some perspective, it’s the summer of my senior year. I’m supposed to be running around and creating oh-so-cliche memories and constantly busting ass at a minimum wage job that I will erase from my resume in five years time; but instead I decided that it was time to start doing bigger and better things. What did this mean to me? Interning for one of the most badass women I know, Haley Hoffman Smith, and learning just what it takes to make it in not only the big apple, but in any industry. 

Now, I’m not saying that getting an internship is as easy as one, two, three, but here is a rough step-by-step to how to land YOUR internship of your dreams as I did mine. 

1.) Find someone who either interests or inspires you. 

No matter the field, office, or lack thereof, find someone who either sparks an interest or inspires you. If you’re going to be interning for them, you might as well ENJOY IT. I found my mentor on my “for you page” on Tik Tok and instantly fell in love with her message. She was all about chasing her dreams, empowering others, and was even from my hometown. Now, I didn’t know that I even wanted to intern for her at the time, but being the writer I am, I messaged her asking if I could write a story on her. Long story short, she said yes. 

2.) Contact this individual. 

When you create initial contact, make sure this person knows that you know what they do and express its affect on you. If you just throw them your résumé, they aren’t going to be interested in working with you because in all honesty, who would be? As unprofessional as it sounds I contacted my boss through Tik Tok and showed my interest, knowledge, and the effect that her work had on me. After some initial conversation, I offered to send my résumé so she could learn a little more about me on paper, but I never just threw it at her. 

**As crazy as this sounds, if you treat individuals like human beings, they typically appreciate that. This step comes in no direct order because this relationship is something that blooms throughout the process. 

3.) Offer value. 

When it comes to the world of business everyone is constantly on their toes, ready for the next opportunity. So, that being said, offer value to this individual. Talk about what sets you apart from others and show them who you are as a person and what makes you, you! Exemplify why investing in your skills, passions and interests is worthwhile. 

4.) Be willing to learn and open to different opportunities. 

No matter your age, there’s always more to learn. You don’t know everything, so why would you act like it? Point proven. Be willing to explore different fields of practice and expand your horizons, even if it scares you. With exploring these opportunities comes the evident mistakes.However these mistakes are not a bad thing, and they only show that you are growing as an individual. You should show this to whomever you are discussing an internship with because it’s almost as if they were in your shoes once too. 

5.) Don’t overstep. 

This person does not have to give you an internship, it is not their job and they are in no way obligated to do so. Trust in the universe that everything happens for a reason and keep seeking opportunities.

Nothing in life will come to you, you simply must create your own reality. So, take initiative, dream big and get working.