More and more companies and employers are looking for job candidates with at least one internship experience on their resume. Internships often make the difference between landing your dream job and continuing to job hunt.

In addition to being a game changer in launching your career, internships provide real life work experience that can help to clarify your passions and career aspirations and refine your work related skills.

As internships are increasing in popularity, so is the competition for many internship programs. Much like applying for any job, taking the time to perfect your internship application and make yourself stand out will be worth the effort when it comes to landing your internship position.

Here are a few tips for creating a stand out internship application!

1. Do Your Research

Before sending your internship application or scheduling an interview, do some research on the company. Learn about the company’s history, their mission and goals. Any information you are able to bring up in an interview shows that you care enough to do some research and know what you are talking about.

2. Create A POWER PACKED Resume
When drafting your resume, the words you use to describe your experience are just as important as the experience itself. Describe your related experience using power words such as delivered, achieved, and impacted. Check out this list of action verbs to boost your resume.

3. Write An Engaging Cover Letter
Your cover letter is your chance to show off your passion and make a meaningful connection. Write a letter that clearly describes why you are excited for this opportunity and why you believe that you are the best candidate for the position. Do you have any personal experiences with this organization or similar organizations? Use the cover letter to give more detail about what sets you apart from other applicants.

4. Use Your Networking Connections
Employers are more likely to select applicants that come highly endorsed from someone they know. Think about your personal connections…chances are, you know somebody who knows somebody. Ask them to put in a good word for you. With their permission, be sure to mention their name in your application or interview.

5. Collect Quality Reference Letters
Once again, the endorsement of qualified professionals can make you stand out from the crowd. When applying for a competitive internship, it’s a good idea to have 3-4 letters of recommendation from other employers or college professors.

6. Practice Interview
Interviews can be daunting, especially if you’ve never done one. Before your official interview, take some time to prepare. It’s a good idea to prepare answers to common interview questions. If you are a student, reach out to your counselor or career center about setting up mock interview. Practice interviews are a great way to release your nerves and get some good feedback before the official interview.

7. Send A Thank You Card
After attending an interview, write and send a card to your interviewer thanking them for taking the time to consider you for the internship position. This is an excellent way to keep your name in front of their eyes and to show that you are the kind of considerate person they would probably enjoy having as a part of their program.

It’s not easy to land competitive internship spots. These positions are reserved for the individuals who are a cut above the rest. As you prepare to apply for your next internship, consider the tips listed above to make your application stand out from the crowd.

Participating in an internship program is a common practice among college students and recent grads. Many students take their summer breaks to work in an internship abroad. Others take entire semesters to learn the ins and outs of different companies and industries.

Adding an internship to your resume is an excellent way to stand out from the crowd when it comes time to apply for jobs.

There are internships available in every industry, from business and marketing to teaching or photography. It’s important to consider your options when choosing an internship program.

The ideal internship is one that fits well into your personal and academic life, and aligns with your career goals. Here are 6 things you should consider when choosing an internship program.

1. A Schedule That Fits Your Life

Every internship program has different requirements regarding the time spent working in the program and when you can begin. Some programs require a commitment of 12 weeks or a year. Others have flexible time frames, allowing you to spend anywhere from a few weeks to a few months working in their program.

It’s also important to research when the program is scheduled to begin. Some programs have predetermined start dates. Others allow you to begin whenever is convenient for you.If you are in school or working another job, you’ll want to double check the time requirements and make sure your ideal internship fits with your schedule.

2. Alignment With Your Career Goals
One of the greatest benefits of taking an internship is the impact it can have on your career trajectory. Internships often make the difference in receiving the job offer you are looking for.

In choosing your next internship, think about your long term goals. The programs you apply for should correlate with your career goals. For example, if you are hoping to work in marketing, look for internships within the marketing departments of larger companies. If your goal is to become a doctor, medical internships are a great addition to a med school application.

3. Mentorship Opportunities
As you prepare for your career, having a quality long term mentor is an invaluable resource. A good mentor can teach you new skills, provide you with critical advice, and can serve as an important networking connection as you progress in your career.

As you consider different internships programs, look for opportunities that include mentorship programs. You won’t regret the time you spend working with a career mentor.

4. A Passion Project

Your time is valuable. If you are choosing to spend your time working an internship, it should be something you are excited and passionate about.

As you consider internship programs, look for opportunities to do something in a field you are passionate about. Ask yourself, “Would I be excited to wake up every morning and go to work?” As with anything, you will learn more and be more effective as an intern when you are passionate about the work you are doing.

5. The Chance To Learn New Skills

The purpose of an internship is to learn and refine your skills. It’s a waste of your time and company resources to take an internship doing something you already know how to do.

Instead, look for opportunities that stretch you. Find a program that gives you opportunities to practice or learn skills that you haven’t already mastered. In an ideal internship experience, you’ll come away knowing more than you did when you began.

6. Cost V. Compensation

 Each internship is structured differently when it comes to cost v. compensation. Some programs will require you to pay for your own transportation to and from work. If your program is an international internship, you may also have to find and pay for housing.

Other programs will cover your transportation costs. They may also provide meal vouchers and other benefits. Some programs even pay their interns a salary.

Before choosing an internship, evaluate your current financial position. Can you afford an internship that costs you money? Do you need to be compensated financially? Choose an internship that aligns with your current financial situation.

Internships are incredible experiences for personal growth and career advancement, but not all internships are created equally. As you consider the countless internship opportunities available in your field, consider the 6 things above to ensure you are finding the ideal internship for you!

For those who’ve been bitten by the travel bug, the prospect of seeing the many wonders of the world and all their glory, is probably very alluring. Maybe you’ve got dreams of European escapes or African adventures. Maybe you are drawn to the Caribbean or fantasize about mountain hikes and the great outdoors.

Traveling and experiencing other cultures, places, and ways of living, can truly be a life changing experience, one that should be offered to all people for generations to come. A huge part of appreciating the world is taking care of it.

As your are preparing for your next big adventure, consider the impact that your travels have on the world you are exploring. Sustainable travel means exploring the world without harming the environment. As you are planning your next trip, consider these 9 tips for traveling sustainably.

1. Travel Slow
   On your next trip, instead of packing an itinerary with ten different cities and locations you want to visit, choose 4 and spend more time at each place. Not only will this cut your transportation costs and allow you to truly savor and deeply enjoy each destination, you will greatly reduce your carbon footprint by cutting your travel time. The less time you spend in a car, plane, or train, the better.

   

2. Rent Hybrid or Electric Vehicles
   If you are flying to another country or city, it’s fairly common practice to rent a car upon arrival. When renting your vacation vehicle, choose an environmentally friendly electric or hybrid car, rather than a typical gas motor vehicle.

   

3. Bring Your Own Water Bottle
   Instead of using disposable plastic cups throughout your trip, pack a BPA free water bottle you can use and reuse throughout your trip. Packing a water bottle is an excellent way to cut down on your waste.

   

4. Reuse Hotel Towels
   Most people don’t wash their towels after each use at home…but for some reason, this is common practice when staying at a hotel. Instead of leaving your towels out to be picked up and cleaned each day, hang up your hotel towels and reuse them the next day. Shrinking the hotel’s laundry load will cut down on water usage.

   

5. Check Certifications
   In making your travel choices, look for hotels and businesses with environmentally friendly certifications from organizations such as EarthCheck or Green Globe. These organizations offer sustainability certifications to countless businesses throughout the tourism industry. Making sustainably certified travel choices is an excellent way to care for the environment.

   

6. Support Local Vendors
   Instead of shopping in big box stores which typically require massive quantities of merchandise to be imported, support the local economy by purchasing from local vendors. Not only are these products made locally and do not have the same environmental impact of larger companies, but these companies are invested in caring for the communities in which they live.

   

7. Think About The Animals
   Depending on the destination, there are many animal centric tourist opportunities available. Activities such as walking with lions or swimming with dolphins may sound attractive, but before you invest in these activities, do some research. Many of these activities are actually harmful to the animals involved.

   

8. Do Not Disturb
   If you are staying at a hotel for multiple nights, hang the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door. This one simple action will reduce the amount of energy used to wash your sheets and towels or to vacuum your carpets.

   

9. Environmental Internships
   Environmental internships are an excellent way to enjoy traveling while supporting the local environment. Internship opportunities are available all over the world and projects include everything from wildlife photography to water conservation.

Part of appreciating the world is taking care of it. Making sustainable travel choices shows a respect for the places you are visiting and preserves the treasures of the world for generations to come. As you are working on your travel plans, take a look at these 8 travel tips and plan your next sustainable adventure!

International Internships are amazing opportunities for a multitude of reasons. They provide the chance to travel and experience other cultures. Internships are excellent resume builders, providing invaluable industry experiences and network connections. Employers in nearly every industry are more inclined to hire individuals with internship experience than those without.

Although participating in an international internship will reap bountiful reward for just about anyone, not everyone has the time to take six months or a year to travel and work abroad. If you are currently in school, working hard to earn your degree and graduate on time, you may be thinking, “I’d love to do an international internship, but there is no way I can fit one into my already busy life and hefty course schedule!”

You’re in luck! It is in fact possible to have the internship experience of a lifetime and stay on top of your college or university schedule. There are plenty of internship opportunities that last a week or two, allowing you to schedule during spring or summer breaks.

If you are in college or university with a limited amount of time, here are 6 international internships you can work into YOUR LIFE and YOUR SCHEDULE!

1) Thailand: Plastic Pollution & Marine Conservation

If you are interested in environmental conservation, head to Thailand to learn about the impact of plastic pollution on the country’s aquatic wildlife. Interns will make a positive impact on Thailand’s marine ecosystems by conducting regular beach cleanups and educating the public on the harmful effects of plastic pollution.This program involves a flexible 2-12 week commitment, a perfect option for your summer break.

2) Bali: Construction and Renovation

Help build developing communities in Bali by joining construction teams in renovating old buildings to be used for community growth and development. This internship will give you the opportunity to make a true difference in the lives of many by improving their living conditions.This internship is ideal for college or university students because you can join this 2 week minimum internship anytime of the year! This program truly allows you to work around your schedule and commitments.

3) Guatemala: Medical & Healthcare Project

For those pursuing a career in the healthcare industry, this Guatemalan internship will give you hands-on experience providing healthcare to local Guatemalans. Many of Guatemala’s underprivileged communities have limited access to quality healthcare. As a result, Guatemala has one of the world’s highest rates of infant mortality and malnutrition. Interns will be providing disease screenings, assessing infant nutritional levels, and much more!This program allows for flexible start dates to accommodate your busy schedule.

4) Vietnam: Special Needs Daycare

Are you an Education major with a passion for working with children? This Vietnamese internship is the perfect resume builder for those interested in teaching or childcare. Interns will have the opportunity to assist in the daily care of children with special needs while their parents are at work. Responsibilities include feeding, playing games, and helping the children to interact with their peers.The 1 week commitment and flexible start date makes this internship an excellent option for your next Spring Break trip!

5) Japan: Otaki Internship

Calling all outdoor enthusiasts! Spend a week (or more) hiking, camping, and exploring the mountain village of Otaki. Interns will spend their days serving in a variety of ways, including caring for horses, doing chores around the camp, and working in a local restaurant. This program is ideal for those looking to truly immerse themselves in nature.This program runs year-round and allows interns to schedule their visit whenever is most convenient for them.

6) Australia: Food Outreach

Australia’s capital city of Sydney is a booming metropolis filled with fun things to do and sights to see! Unfortunately, like many major cities, Sydney is also home to a large population of homeless men and women. In joining this food outreach initiative, participating individuals will have the opportunity to provide food and support to over 100 individuals each day.

If you are looking for a life changing experience during your summer break, think about spending 2 weeks serving the less fortunate in Australia!

A busy college schedule doesn’t have to be the reason you can’t take time for an internship. If you are looking to travel the world and build your resume while still maintaining your school course load, check out one of the internships above! You just might find your perfect Spring Break opportunity!