Being resourceful in finding internship opportunities University of Manchester Careers Blog

Being resourceful in finding internship opportunities Are you too late to apply for a summer internship? No, there are still a few corporate schemes available but apply now. Smaller and medium sized companies start advertising their internships from now on, so how can you find these opportunities and not miss out? Always check first on CareersLink , where we post for University of Manchester students all summer internship and work experience opportunities we hear about. Think out of the box and be resourceful. Research companies and opportunities. Different approaches will help you find vacancies that may not be obvious at first. You will also develop essential research skills that are valuable to develop now, which you may need when looking for work after graduation. So here are some pointers of ways to research and find work experience or summer internships. You could also look back at Sarah’s previous blog on How to research employers for other advice, as well as previous s from   Holly   or other staff for example. Look at the Career Sector pages on the University of Manchester website. There may be useful industry specific organisations/ sector specific recruitment websites to research.   As example Civil engineering page   it includes New Civil Engineer or Institution of Civil Engineers Hospitality, sport and leisure page it includes the Travel Trade Gazette or Careerscope Textile design, fashion and retail page it includes The Textile Institute or Society of Dyers and Colourists There are many more links and different sector pages to explore. Professional organisations, regulating bodies or sector skills councils can be useful resources for information on finding out about your sector. This includes: training and networking opportunities to make useful contacts articles, news and discussion forums to develop commercial awareness jobs section and information on companies/ key organisations to investigate further job opportunities. Some are included on the Career Sector pages already, however you can also google others for your sector. You may also know of relevant organisations through your course, or are a member of them? Check out some useful lists of professional bodies, regulators   or sector skills councils to start you off. Read through industry specific journals both online and in the Careers Resource Centre (CRC).   Here are a selection of journals we have available: Community Care, Third Sector, The Economist, People Management, New Scientist, Drapers, Professional Engineering, Lawyer2B, Broadcast, Marketing Week, Times Education Supplement (TES), Pharmaceutical Journal, PR Week, Physics World, Museums Journal, Logistics and Transport. (Full list in the Careers Library catalogue) They have a wealth of sector specific information, company details and jobs pages etc. Perhaps the main library also has relevant journals as well? Look at the following starting point guides for information, advice   and links to useful organisations to research: Internships, placements and work experience Work experience in Chemistry, Physics and Materials Science Work Experience in Life Sciences Getting work experience in Earth Environmental Science Look in the yellow pages and search for companies in the area you want to work in. This can sometimes also highlight smaller and medium sized businesses as well as more well known companies. Check out company websites and google them to find out about what they do and their reputation, as well as possible opportunities. Google ‘Competitor of……….’ to find similar companies to one you know in an area that interests you Check out the Manchester Alumni.   Are there any opportunities to connect with previous students for opportunities? LinkedIN is a social media tool used by professionals. You can search for companies in your area or specific jobs, or industry professionals to network with or join interest groups and keep up-to-date on industry info. Check out our information and advice on LinkedIN. 3.   When you have found some new companies/contacts, check out their websites for possible work experience options, insight days, summer internship or vacation schemes, and if not   available, consider a speculative applications for work experience. Keep a list of companies to check for future. See our starting point guides on applications and CVs for advice in making speculative applications. For further information and advice also see our work experience pages. You can also get further help to check your CV/application with the Quick Query service, get information and advice from Careers Resource Centre staff and Career Consultants. Pop into Crawford House or ring 0161 275 2829. All Undergraduate employers Internships job hunting summer internships work experience