A brief guide to preparing for your internship

Introduction

Securing an internship requires both strategic planning and preparation. This guide outlines essential tips and resources to help you succeed in preparing for your internship.

Prepare your documentation

Start by ensuring your documentation is professional and polished.

  • Optimize your resume
    Showcase your strengths and make a strong impression. A well-crafted resume will boost your confidence when approaching potential employers.

  • Create a tailored cover letter
    Complement your resume with a cover letter that highlights your skills, experiences, and attributes. Demonstrate why you are a strong candidate for the role.

  • Develop an elevator pitch
    Prepare a concise, compelling summary of who you are, your field of study, and your career aspirations. This will help articulate your value in networking or interview scenarios.

  • Practice for interviews
    Rehearse answering common questions and showcasing your value to potential hosts.

  • Leverage LinkedIn
    Use LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your desired field and explore potential opportunities.

Identify the Right Opportunity

Finding the right internship involves aligning opportunities with your goals and aspirations.

  • Reflect on your goals
    Consider your values, interests, and career aspirations to identify organizations that resonate with your objectives.

  • Choose organizations with learning opportunities
    Focus on organizations offering experiences that match your areas of interest and provide meaningful skill development. Look for placements with supportive supervisors.

  • Align tasks with learning outcomes
    Ensure that the responsibilities of the internship contribute to your professional growth and help achieve your learning outcomes.

Resources available to La Trobe Statistics and Data Science Students

La Trobe University offers resources specifically tailored to help students prepare for internships:

Other resources for finding opportunities

Here are some potential websites to help you discover suitable internship opportunities:

Alysha De Livera, PhD
Alysha De Livera, PhD
Senior Lecturer in Statistics

Dr De Livera is an academic in Statistics, the Director of the Statistical Consultancy Platform, and the Partnership Coordinator for Mathematical and Physical Sciences at La Trobe University. Her methodological research interests in Statistics include meta-analysis, statistical methods for high-dimensional data analysis, and methods for handling missing values.