How to Find Your First Internship
Start earlier and smaller than you think, and write to people directly.
The short answer
Build one small piece of work, list 20 small companies, and message real people there. Small firms reply more often and give you more to do.
Everyone applies to the same big names through the same portals. Your first internship is much more likely to come from a 12-person startup or a local agency that needs help this month.
Step 1: have something to show
A short sample beats a long cover letter. A design, a small app, three written posts, a spreadsheet you built for your fest. It takes a weekend and it changes your message from “please consider me” to “here is what I can do”.
Step 2: make a list
Pick 20 small companies you find interesting. Look at LinkedIn, startup lists, your college alumni group and shops in your own city. Note one person at each who runs the team you want.
Step 3: send a short message
Keep it to five lines. Say who you are, what you noticed about their work, what you can do for them and how many hours you have. Attach or link the sample. Then follow up once after a week.
Don't pay for an internship
Be careful with any "internship" that charges a fee or sells a course first. Read reviews and check whether the company really exists.
Use your college too
Ask your placement cell, seniors and professors. A senior who interned somewhere last summer can often tell you exactly who to write to.
Quick questions
When should I start looking?
Start a couple of months before your break. Small companies hire whenever they need help, so it is rarely too early.
Is an unpaid internship okay?
It depends on what you learn and how long it runs. If you do real work for months, ask about a stipend.
