An internship is an opportunity, paid or
unpaid, to gain valuable exposure and
experience in a field of interest to you. You
may be part of a large structured internship
program or the only intern at a small
organization. Each type has distinct advantages
and will help you to build your understanding
of a career field as prepare for your next steps at
Bowdoin and beyond.
 If you are really interested in a particular organization, but cannot find a
formal internship posting on eBEAR or the organization’s website, contact
them to see if an opportunity exists. Approach them with a good resume,
good research, and a compelling explanation for why you are specifically
interested in working with them. Frequently an organization will create a
position for you even if a formal program does not exist.
 Internships provide you with a window into a
field or organization that you want to
explore. Ideally, you’ll leave your internship
with several contacts, a positive reference for
the future, and a feeling that you’d
 How much money do you need to make? Are there creative solutions to
making that amount (apply for a funded internship, unpaid intern for 20
hours, paid job 20 hours)?
A) Love to pursue a a similar opportunity
after graduation,
B) Like parts of it but couldn’t see yourself
doing what your boss does long-term, or
C) Built some skills but now have valuable
insights into a field that you have no
interest in pursuing.
 An internship can also provide you with the
experience you need to land a first job after
Bowdoin. Two to three marketable
internships on your resume are critical to
making you a more appealing candidate to
recruiters when you are senior.
 The structure of an internship varies widely –
full-time or part-time, paid or unpaid, a few
weeks, all summer or academic year. Much of
it is up to you and the employer to
coordinate.
 Where do you want to be geographically? Are you limited geographically in
your search?
 What do you want to get out of the work experience? This might include
learning more about the chosen field, applying classroom theory to real
work situations, learning specific career-related skills, and/or investigating
organizational culture.
 What would be your dream job this summer?
 Starting in the fall for the following summer is your best approach; many
internships have late fall/early winter deadlines.
 If you are studying abroad, it is especially important to begin early and work
with someone in Career Planning to design an effective plan. You can book
a Skype advising session with a career advisor.
 Assess your own interests, skills you have to offer, and values regarding the
type of environment in which you’d thrive.
 Identify one to three fields you might want to explore.
 Meet with a career advisor to discuss your approach to the search and
identify resources that might be helpful.
 In the fall, research these fields of interest through resources recommended
to you by your career advisor to be sure they still sound interesting to you.
 Find positions and review the application process.
 Write a resume and cover letter and have them critiqued by a career advisor.
 The internship search will frequently continue into the spring, with new
postings coming in regularly.
 You can find a database of hundreds of internship postings in eBEAR. See the “eBEAR Quick Start” essential guide
(bowdoin.edu/cpc/tip-sheets/ebear-quick-start.pdf) to begin using this resource.
 You can also use the Liberal Arts Career Network (LACN) database, which pools internships from 40 liberal arts schools from
around the country.
 Since each field is different, your career advisor can help you to identify field special internship resources that will help you in
your search.
 Show initiative. Ask for responsibility and meet deadlines.
 Keep samples of what you do and develop a portfolio of your projects.
 Keep a record or journal of what you are learning.
 Make friendly connections with as many people in the organization as possible to learn as much as you can about the field. Ask
people to join you for lunch.
 After your internship, reflect on what you liked and disliked. Could you see yourself pursuing this field as a career? Why or why
not?
 Write a thank you note to your supervisor and stay in touch.
Career Planning has compiled a list of summer housing resources for short-term renting in major U.S. cities.
http://careerplanning.bowdoin.edu/experience-get-an-internship/summer-housing-options/