Staffers also maintain a database of UNC alumni and friends, called Carolina Connection, which allows students to learn about a company from someone who works there. Students who aren't registered with the office can still use internship and job-search reference materials and make appointments with career counselors. A post-graduation survey found that 70 percent of students reported using University Career Services at least once in their years at Carolina. Several academic departments across campus also have in-house internship and career advisers, including political science, journalism and mass communication and public policy analysis. An internship is a valuable part of that, but the process of finding one is just as beneficial to students.
Timing is everything The internship search process requires time and planning.
Graham says a good rule of thumb is to start looking for an internship about six months before a semester begins. In other words, if a student wants to work during the summer, he or she should start looking in November or December, at the latest. Different industries have different timelines, so it pays to do research early. Because most companies offer positions to students at all levels, freshmen should consider internships, too. The worst-case scenario is that recruiters ask a student to check back later if the process was started too early, Graham says.