Designing Your Own Internship

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AgCareers.com Newsletter
Employment Trends (PDF) USDA
Offer Evaluation Tips
(MU College of Business)
What recent MU graduates earn: Destination Survey
(MU Div. of Enrollment Mgmt.)
Negotiation Skills
(MU College of Business)
Job and Internship Resources (by industry and type)
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Handbook: Supervising an Intern

An internship will be a tremendous asset when you engage in a professional job search. Often, students who design their own internships through careful company research and self-reflection report great satisfaction with the internship experience.

Here is a multi-step process for contacting sites:

Write down your learning objectives:
- industry-specific skills (example: I will learn to write public service announcements for non-profits.)
- transferable skills (example: I will become familiar with the work environment at a non-profit.)
Carefully research the company/organization where you wish to intern.
Decide how you will contribute to the company's goals. How can you be an asset?
Determine contact person within the company.
Use your cover letter to propose the internship position to the company. See intern cover letter sample.
Follow-up by calling or e-mailing in about a week. At this time, ask the employer if he or she has questions about your proposal. If the employer is interested, offer to set up an interview.

Contacting Internship Sites

Once you have chosen potential sites, decide which sites best fit the experience you are hoping to gain. We suggest that you contact two or three sites by sending your resume and cover letter. Follow-up within one to two weeks to determine whether an interview can be arranged. Start your search early to ensure maximum selection.