- Find and research organizations/companies that are aligned with your career and/or academic interests.
- Seek recommendations and/or contact information from professors, alumni, or other personal contacts.
- Vet the organization/company. Among the questions you may want to ask:
- Is there an existing connection between the organization/company and the University (i.e. professor, alumni, or previous interns)?
- Does the organization/company have a website?
- Is the organization/company located in a country on the U.S. State Department travel warning or travel alert list? Note: Princeton University will not fund or sponsor undergraduate student travel to countries on the U.S. State Department Warning List or to countries where the United States has issued travel restrictions. Students who have a compelling educational reason to travel to such countries may submit a request for an individual travel exemption.The travel exemption process is a time intensive process. Travelers should allow at least four weeks for the review process.
- What is the purpose/mission of the organization/company?
- What language requirements would the internship have?
- Is the organization/ company fiscally stable?
- Is there a fee for participating in the internship?
- Does the IIP already have internships in similar organizations/companies in the region?
- Has the organization or company had interns before?
- What responsibilities do interns have?
- Can internship responsibilities be tailored to meet student needs?
- Send an initial e-mail to introduce yourself. In this email, state your interest in the organization and why your interests match the needs or mission of the organization and request the name and email of the person who is the best to contact for internship possibilities. You should also note the period of time during which you would like to do the internship. (We recommend that internships last a minimum of eight weeks.) If you are seeking funding for this internship, note that your internship would not be a cost to the organization/company.
- Prepare your material. Make sure you have an updated resume and write a good cover letter.
- Once you receive a response from the organization/company, send a follow up email with your resume and cover letter.
- Follow up with employers. If possible call or send an email about 10-14 days after you send in your material to ask about the interviewing timeline as well as to reiterate your interest in the position. The goal is to be pleasant yet persistent. If they say “no phone calls,” don’t call.
- If you interview for a position, send a thank-you note or email within 24-48 hours of the interview (for industries with a quick turnaround, you will want to send the email that same day).
- Once accepted to the internship, work to obtain funding from campus resources and off campus resources.
- Before you accept the internship, make sure you understand all the details/parameters of the internship. Among the questions you may want to ask:
- Does participating in the internship require obtaining a visa or work permit?
- Is the location in an urban or rural area?
- Are there any safety concerns?
- Can the organization/company assist with meals or lodging?
- How long is the average commute?
- What are the working hours for interns?
- Once funding is secured, begin making logistical arrangements and negotiate your project and specific work responsibilities and dates.
- Attend a INTERNATIONAL PRE-DEPARTURE GENERAL ORIENTATION
- Work with the IIP Director. At any stage in your internship search, feel free to meet with Luisa Duarte-Silva, director of the International Internship Program. Make an appointment by e-mailing iip@princeton.edu.
