Taking Your Future Into Your Own Hands: How To Get An Adult Internship

s an adult, getting an internship can be tough – it can feel like the market is saturated with internships designed entirely for students and recent graduates, but there are plenty of options outside of those. We’re here to walk you through the entire process of how to get an internship as an adult, including:

• Choosing a type of internship
• Finding an internship that works for you
• Starting your adult internship

Let’s get started! First, the obvious.

What Kind of Internship Do You Want?

Tech or Healthcare? On-site or Remote? Paid or Unpaid?

Maybe you didn’t pursue an internship during college. Maybe you didn’t even go to college – or maybe you did the process of going to college, getting an internship, looking for a job with your internship-sharpened skills… only to discover there weren’t many opportunities in your field, or your current field just wasn’t a good fit for you. Whatever your circumstances, and whatever your age, there’s an internship out there for you, and the right one can be life-changing. While searching for internships, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind, such as:

What Field Do You Want To Go Into? (And Why?)

Are you staying in a field you’ve worked in before, or going into something entirely new and different? If you’re staying in your current field, but trying to pad out your resume further or gain access to more prestigious positions, your search will be a little easier – many internships require some level of experience, though there are some that are designed to teach beginners in that field.

If you’re looking to shift gears and work in an entirely different field, you may have a bit more work ahead of you finding an internship you qualify for – but depending on the field, you may be able to do volunteer work, work entry-level jobs, or even take classes to gain the type of experience they’re looking for. It may feel like a bit of a drag at the time, but if you’re passionate about entering your new field, it’s a worthwhile investment. Think of it as a stepping stone.

It’s also good to evaluate why you’re looking into entering this specific field – are you looking for a pay raise? Are you burnt out from doing something you don’t enjoy, and are looking for passion rather than high income? Do you just want a change? Understanding your expectations is key to finding an internship that suits your needs, as well as understanding what your limits are.

Remote or On-Site? Or Hybrid?

Everyone has different preferences – some people love the flexibility of remote work, while others find that they get lonely when they’re not working from an office, or just plain can’t focus at home.

Some fields have a definite edge over others when it comes to remote work – I.T., marketing, and sales are some of the more obvious ones, but did you know that even fields like education and healthcare have a growing amount of remote opportunities?

Another thing to keep in mind is that some industries are heavily localized. For those looking into the publishing industry, for example, NYC is home to the “Big Five” publishing houses, making it the home of a lot of related internships. While there will be some remote opportunities, it’s good to remember if you prefer on-site work (or are looking into an industry that is majority on-site work) that many of these more localized fields may require relocating to another city.

Can You Work An Unpaid Internship?

While paid internships are out there, the majority are unpaid. For some, the experience gained is worth it, but as an adult who needs to support yourself, and maybe even a family, unpaid work makes things difficult. If you’re finding a hunt for paid internships to be difficult, though, it may be worth it to take an unpaid internship into consideration – if possible, find an internship that can be balanced with a paid job you work at the same time. Working two jobs is difficult, but remember that it’s only temporary, especially if your internship offers a position within the company upon completion.

Finding Your Internship

Vital Resources And Materials For Every Hopeful Intern

With the age of the Internet well underway, there’s an oversaturation of information. Internships are everywhere, but with so much noise, it can be hard to hard to figure out where to start. To make it easier for you, we’ve broken down several different ways you can search for the perfect adult internship for you, as well as the resources you’ll need for it.

Returnships

Recently, there’s been a rise in the availability of adult internships, sometimes called “returnships.” Some companies offer select paid programs specially designed for adult interns, often those who have been outside of the workforce for a few years. It’s worth looking into if any companies within your desired industry have programs that will fit your needs. You might be pleasantly surprised!

Job Boards

Looking on job boards is a great way to find internships – sites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn are fantastic places to start. Some companies or industries may also have their own specific job boards you can view. To be noticed by your desired internship, you may want to consider looking up a company you find an internship for, and applying for it on their personal website, rather than through the job board itself, as some businesses check and update their listings on job boards less frequently than they do on their own websites.

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Be sure to also read carefully for any specific instructions, such as emailing your information to an individual rather than submitting an application through a website. Internships and other job listings often include these instructions as a way to weed out people who submit applications for just about any listing they see, which can result in your application being disregarded if you don’t follow these instructions. These internships will also often specify who they’d like to work with – some prefer to stick to college students and recent graduates, while others openly welcome adult interns.

Networking

Friendship can go a long way. Maybe a family member works within the industry you’re trying to get into, or an old teacher of yours has friends in the field that they could put you in touch with. As a barista in high school, I even had regulars offer to put me in touch with people they knew in my desired profession of the time. Even if you don’t think you know anyone directly, it’s worth putting out feelers – you may be surprised at who reaches out to you with an opportunity. Companies often also put on networking events, giving you a chance to mingle and meet people within that industry. 

Cover Letters & Portfolios

Most internships will require you to submit a unique cover letter. While it can be tiring to write a cover letter for every internship you apply to, it’s worth it. Cover letters give you the opportunity to introduce yourself to your prospective employer and stand out beyond your resume, as well as showing your initiative. Be sure to research the companies you apply to and understand what their values are. Including acknowledgements to these values in your cover letter won’t only show that you took the time to look into the company – it will show that you align with their needs and their standards.

Portfolios are also something you’ll need to consider. Depending on the industry, many internships will want to see examples of your previous work. This doesn’t have to only be work you’ve done in a professional setting – work you’ve done for classes or even as part of your hobbies can go in your portfolio, so long as it’s well-made and suitable to be shown to the people you’re submitting your portfolio to.

Starting Your Internship

So You’ve Landed Your Internship. What Now?

Starting a new job is always intimidating, but an adult internship can be downright nerve-wracking – this might be your first foray into an entirely new part of your life. The most important part is to stay calm, and be professional. If you have other responsibilities, such as a family to take care of or another job, let your internship lead know. They’ll most likely be willing to work with you to help you balance these things, but they can’t help you if you don’t tell them what’s going on. It will also be on you to manage your own time, especially if you’re doing remote work. Our advice is to make a work schedule and stick to it, even if you have the ability to choose your own hours.

Above all else, remember that confidence comes in time – and if this is your first time working in a more professional environment, we have plenty of tips for you. Now go out there and get that internship!