How to Get an Internship & Where to Find Internships
Introduction
In 2025, internships play a much greater role in setting a career path that ends up being successful. Irrespective of whether you are a college student, college graduate, or someone who is entering a new industry, internships provide an opportunity to acquire real-life experience for you. Practical skills are being acquired through the internships, not only that they can also help in expanding the professional network, and increasing the chances of getting a job subsequently.
Changes in employment trends and the desire of companies to computerize different tasks have led to rely on artificial intelligence. The subsequent reliance on technology consequently increased the employment of technology-gifted interns.
With AI-based automation and robots working with people in the workplace, business has become much more efficient don't you think? In such conditions, companies would be able to create highly productive systems by combining human intelligence and artificial intelligence.
This article will walk you through from beginning to end of securing the internship of your dream in 2025. Apart from the introduction of internships, we will also discuss types, how to prepare for them, and the right ways to get them in an online mode.
Understanding Internships in 2025
In 2025, internships are available to an extent where students start getting them at the high school level. Through a survey, it was found out that the young people at college have most certainly heard about what an internship is, and they know how to get it.
The internship programs offer a variety of paid or unpaid formats like full-time or part-time, on-site or remote. There are even the non-traditional formats that combine the two, known as the hybrid formats. The internship positions are in various forms such as on-site, remote, and mixed, offering people more choices. Payment for an internship depends on the type, location, and working schedule. A paid internship is far more common type of job placement where companies also get the chance to observe the intern for the duration of the internship, and hence are able to quickly offer them a full-time position.
Fast-changing technology, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are crucial in the continuous process of moving people from work that is away from work to work that is more knowledge and technology based. Through the next phases of automation and digital transformation, tasks like handling specialized machinery or processing materials are lesser in demand. The automation of such jobs would enable the workforce to move to more cognitive and knowledge-based tasks. This will then lead to an improvement in human productivity, but at the same time, it will become necessary for the employees to upgrade their skills so that they remain relevant and employable. As it represents the ability to use, create, understand, and interact with technology in one's life, tech-savviness is not a mere novelty, but rather a necessity. Besides tech, areas like health, marketing, finance, and media hold a vast inventory of internships that provide an alchemy of soft and hard skills.
Internships are important not just for the experience one will gain from them but also because they provide a good start in one's career. The latter is of major importance in all sectors, be it startups, or multinational corporations. They help in building a professional identity, show the industry, culture and are in many cases a link to a permanent job.
Preparing for an Internship
a. Self- Assessment
Rewrite by noting here first and foremost what are your hobbies and professional goals? Also, ask them directly. Namely, a) What sectors are you interested in? b) Can you name the work roles closest to your preferences and skills? Utilize a matrix titled SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to review your current status.
Compare your current skills, like true and false, that is, technical skills, soft abilities, and relevant experiences. Then, give thought to your areas in which you need to grow and become internship-ready.
b. Building a Strong Resume and Cover Letter
Your CV has to be updated to match the ATS rests. Employ keywords from the job descriptions, utilize understandable design, use the same font type, and make sure that everything is in order. Academic success, self-developed projects, abilities, and some form of extracurricular activities should be a part of the resume cover.
After tailoring your resume for the reader, start your cover letter by telling the story of your passion, enthusiasm, and the fit with the company’s principles.
c. Creating or Updating Your LinkedIn Profile
An effective LinkedIn profile can open a lot of doors in the career world. A few strategic points, a catchy note of introduction, previous internships, and part-time jobs, volunteer work, and courses will ensure that your profile is easily remembered. One more thing you should not forget is to request and give recommendations and become an active batch of the discussions which are interesting to your profession at the same time.
For example, "A marketer who is interested in branding. My main skills are SEO, Social Media, and Content Creation. At the moment, I am looking for the 2025 Internship."
d. Building a Portfolio (if applicable)
For professions such as design, development, writing, and promotion, a portfolio is a great tool to show your capabilities. Use websites such as Notion, GitHub, Behance, WordPress, etc. to present your projects, case studies, and accomplishments.
Make sure the portfolio is tidy, well-structured, and you can easily share it with prospective employers.
4. Where to Find Internships in 2025
a. Online Job Portals
Websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, Internshala, Handshake, WayUp, Glassdoor, and Chegg Internships are excellent for discovering opportunities. Set up job alerts using relevant keywords, filters (e.g., location, industry), and application deadlines.
b. Company Career Pages
Many organizations post internships directly on their websites. Create a list of companies you admire and regularly check their career sections. Tailor each application based on the specific role and company culture.
c. College/University Career Services
Use your college’s career cell for access to exclusive internships. Attend career fairs, workshops, and alumni networking events to boost your chances.
d. Social Media & Networking
Engage with internship opportunities on Twitter, Reddit, Discord channels, and LinkedIn groups. Follow hashtags like #Internship2025 or #RemoteInternship. Don’t hesitate to reach out to professionals with a polite, thoughtful message.
e. Cold Emailing
Cold emailing can open doors. Keep your message concise: introduce yourself, express interest in their work, and ask about potential opportunities.
Example Tools: Hunter.io (to find professional email addresses), GMass (for outreach campaigns).
Applying for Internships
a. Customizing Every Application
Make sure not to send the same application to every place you apply. Create a resume and cover letter that are specific to each internship by using keywords from the job listing. Talk about particular experiences that are similar to the requirements of the role.
b. Tracking Your Applications
Either through a spreadsheet or other tools like Notion, Trello, or Huntr, keep a record of the places where you have sent your applications, deadlines, and interview dates. By doing this you can be an organized person who follows up effectively.
c. Preparing for Common Internship Interviews
Most likely, you will receive questions about your reasons for applying, team work, and solving problems. For answers that are clear and well-structured, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). In case there are technical or industry-specific questions, be ready to discuss them.
cture responses. Prepare for technical or industry-specific questions if applicable.
How to Stand Out from Other Applicants
To rise above the competition, build a personal brand. Start a blog, contribute to open-source projects, or post insightful content on LinkedIn.
Complete certifications on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Google Career Certificates to prove your initiative. Highlight any side projects or freelance work that demonstrate your skills.
Above all, show eagerness to learn, adaptability, and a proactive attitude—traits employers value highly in interns.
What to Do After Getting the Internship
When you get an internship, there is a next step you must complete and that is making the transition to a new role smooth. You can start by approaching the HR or the hiring manager in a professional manner. Make a point of confirming such details as the start date, the schedule, the dress code, and any other initial paperwork.
Being well prepared for Day 1 is the key point. Allocate time to know the company culture, mission, and values. Also, get yourself acquainted with the tools and technologies they use, let it be project management software or industry-specific tools. Moreover, check that you are fully aware of the duties of your role, including the projects, if any that are specifically assigned to you.
One thing you should get clear. Don't just wait for your first day to arrive, go on to actively initiate a start. Get there a bit early, put some questions forward, and show your commitment to the work at hand. If you make friends among your team or employers, this could potentially lead you to future opportunities and at the same time, it can create a good first-time impression.
What to Do If You Don’t Get Selected
It is possible for rejection to be present as a normal part of the internship process, but you must look at it as a chance for your growth. Take time to process the experience and think a bit about the situation first, before acting on those feelings of disappointment. Remember, you may have been a bit dashed at the time of your rejection, but in that disappointment, you can derive and practice another skill for the future you.
If you wish to know more about the reason behind the admission refusal, you can talk with the HR or the hiring manager and ask them to provide you with feedback. Request the person to mention the areas in which you should lay more emphasis next time. Their feedback can help you revisit your resume, train some more skills, and change your interview method.
Get back to the process, fix the issue that prompted your previous rejection, the next time you embark on this mission. If a chance comes up again, stick to it, and who knows, you may finally achieve your goal. When you face rejections more and more, you gain more experience making the process easier toward your dream internship.
Bonus Tips & Trends for 2025 Internships
In 2025, technology is serving an even more significant role in creating internship experiences. AI-driven platforms now match candidates to internships by skills, interests, and past experiences. These platforms can save you time and connect you with roles where you would be most suitable.
Micro-internships are a new rising wave in the business. These internships that are project-based and have short-term are a perfect way to gain experience in a specific area, and they might be even done remote or in person. One more thing to consider is freelance experience, that is becoming increasingly more sought after, as companies are looking for interns with a broad array of hands-on skills.
New industries that are considered to be AI, climate tech, and Web3 are opening the doors for an expanded internship array. Not only are those areas of the highest segment but, they also guarantee the highest return on investment. One way to set oneself apart from the competition would be to work as an intern in one of these areas.
Stay updated on these trends to make the most out of your internship search and to position yourself as a forward-thinking candidate.
Conclusion
Securing an internship in 2025 requires a combination of strategic planning, perseverance, and adaptability. From preparing your resume and LinkedIn profile to using various channels to find opportunities, each step plays a critical role in helping you land that perfect internship.
Whether you’re successful on your first try or need to reapply, persistence is key. Internships are not just stepping stones to a job—they’re opportunities for skill-building, networking, and gaining hands-on experience. Keep learning, stay proactive, and don’t be afraid to pivot as you explore your career options. Your internship experience could be the start of a long and rewarding career journey.