Internship tips from a senior marketing major

It's never too early to start the internship search, senior marketing major at the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business and Clemson Honors College student Mackenzie Perez says. During her summer internship at ScanSource, a leading hybrid technology distributor in the Upstate of South Carolina, Perez discovered her desired career path while acquiring skills that will serve her well after graduation.

"My internship at ScanSource was an amazing experience. It provided me with hands-on involvement in meaningful projects and the opportunity to learn from exceptional leaders who have become my mentors. I also had the chance to network across departments, develop essential career skills and connect with an incredible group of fellow interns"

As students begin to dive into the internship search process, Perez encourages them to use their resources, have realistic goals, keep an open mind, be willing to network, find a good support system and make their own journey.

1. Use your resources

Taking advantage of resources at Clemson is incredibly beneficial in preparing to apply for internships. The C-Suite is a great place to network, get advice from industry professionals and seek assistance throughout the interview process. Open Monday through Friday, 10 am- 1 pm, the C-Suite provides opportunities for student professional development, including networking events, etiquette dinners, professional clothing closets and more. Additionally, Perez encourages students to connect with their professors.

"The Powers College of Business has so many resources and opportunities available to business students. The C-Suite is a great place to start. They offer resume reviews and mock interviews and often have industry professionals who come to speak with students," she explains. "Also, faculty members are an excellent resource. Many of your professors used to work in the corporate world, and they have so many connections and pieces of advice. Make sure you're intentionally connecting with them."

2. Set realistic goals

When applying for internships or jobs, one of the most important things students should do is to set realistic expectations. Applying for internships can be stressful, especially with all the options that are available. For Perez, it helped her to research the role and company to make sure it aligned with what she wanted. She then set herself a realistic goal of applying to 10 internships rather than hundreds.

"When I started the process, I decided I wanted to be intentional with my applications. I had to tailor my resume to job descriptions, interview with different companies and stay organized. By being intentional and setting a realistic goal, I was able to put my full effort into each internship application and interview process."

3. Find a support system

With how daunting the internship process is sometimes, it's helpful to have someone in your corner. Whether that's a friend, parent, mentor or even career resources at Clemson, finding a support system will help set you up for success. Resume reviews, mock interviews and a shoulder to lean on will prove valuable when it comes to searching for an internship.

"I was lucky to have a great support system, including my supervisor, Shawna Cass. Since I began working at Clemson's Honors College, Shawna has always been there for me," Perez says. "There's a lot of pressure that comes with applying to internships, and to have someone to turn to for advice, emotional support and to celebrate with has been amazing."

4. Be open-minded

Many students, like Perez, approach internships with a clear idea of the company, role and location they want. But for her, staying open to different possibilities made all the difference in finding the perfect fit.

"I think being open-minded about the possibilities is really important for this process. You never know what opportunity or company will come up. The internship I ended up getting was not what I was looking for originally, but it ended up being so great because it expanded my knowledge of what I wanted to do, and I gained experience I wouldn't have otherwise."

5. Make your own journey

Comparing yourself to others is something most people are guilty of. This happens a lot during the internship process, and it can be disheartening when you see people celebrating their successes, especially on platforms like LinkedIn. Perez got her internship late in the process, and it turned out to be a best-case scenario.

"I wish I could go back and tell myself not to compare my journey to others. Rejections and delays happen for a reason, and what's meant for you will come at the right time. In my case, my perfect internship wasn't even available until April, and it worked out just as it was supposed to."

To get more information about career support resources, visit the Office of Career and Global Engagement.