Landing an internship is an important step toward building real-world experience, expanding your skills, and preparing for a successful career. Whether you’re a current student, a recent graduate, or someone exploring a new career path, knowing how to stand out in a competitive internship market can make a big difference.
At Broward Technical Colleges, we support students by providing guidance, career resources, and practical strategies to strengthen internship applications. Below are proven tips to help you make a strong first impression and increase your chances of securing the internship you want.
Have a Powerful Resume
A professional resume is huge when applying for internships or jobs. Oftentimes, employers won’t even consider you for an interview if your resume doesn’t include the appropriate keywords or relevant knowledge or experience.
Including internship-related keywords, industry-specific skills, and measurable accomplishments can help your resume appear in applicant tracking systems (ATS) and get noticed by hiring managers.
You want to consider the position you want and highlight the skills or job history you have that is relevant to the internship you are applying for. Tailoring your resume for each internship by using the job description to guide which skills and experiences to feature is one of the most effective ways to stand out.
Build an Online Presence
Keep in mind, while a resume is a powerful resource for employers, so is the Internet. More than likely, potential employers are going to search for you online. They might be checking your social media accounts, so think twice about what you are saying or posting. A professional online presence shows employers that you are responsible, engaged in your field, and ready for workplace communication.
Plus, they’ll probably look for an online portfolio (if applicable) or even a LinkedIn account. Setting up a basic LinkedIn account is free, so start building one soon! You can keep your profile private while you build it until you think it’s ready to share.
A polished LinkedIn profile with a professional photo, a clear headline, and detailed experience can significantly improve your visibility to recruiters and internship coordinators.
Ask a Mentor for Feedback
Once you feel like you have your resume and online presence established, ask for feedback! Look for a mentor in the field you are applying for. Many of our alumni have actually become mentors and are happy to help you out!
Mentor feedback can help you refine your resume, improve your portfolio, strengthen interview skills, and better understand what employers in your chosen field are looking for.
Speaking with mentors is also a great way to build more professional relationships and develop new contacts that can help you in your future job search.
Professional networking is one of the top ways students secure internships, and mentorships offer valuable insight into career pathways and industry expectations.
Still have questions?
Our team is happy to help! Contact our Broward County technical colleges anytime—we’d love to speak with you! Reach out to Broward Technical Colleges for internship support, resume guidance, and career resources designed to help students succeed.