How to Secure an Internship During Term 1 — A 6-Week Plan
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A pragmatic 6-week schedule to turn interest into offers (networking + applications + interviews).
Landing an internship is about focused actions: targeting, applying, and follow-up. This plan is built for students who want results fast.
Week-by-week
- Week 1 — Target & tidy: pick 8 companies/roles, tidy your 1-page CV and a 2-minute pitch.
- Week 2 — Apply & personalise: send 2–3 tailored applications per day; use each company’s key words.
- Week 3 — Network: message alumni, lecturers and company employees on LinkedIn; ask for 15-minute info chats. (Cold outreach works when brief and specific.)
- Week 4 — Practice interviews: do 5 mock interviews; prepare two strong examples using STAR.
- Week 5 — Follow up & expand: follow up applications, widen search to startups and local firms.
- Week 6 — Negotiate & accept: when you get offers, compare learning opportunities more than salary.
Resources & tips
- Glassdoor’s internship guide explains where to look and how to tailor applications.
- Use LinkedIn Jobs and set alerts for “internship” in your target city.
- Keep a spreadsheet of applications, dates, contacts and follow-ups — treat internship hunting like a project.
Quick links