How can I find internship opportunities as a freshman?
How can I find internship opportunities as a freshman?
RELATIONSHIPS AND NETWORKING
Before you even step into a room, your online presence might already be shaping how others see you. A well-crafted LinkedIn profile can help you stand out, communicate your interests, and stay connected with the people you meet. Start by uploading a clear, professional photo and writing a headline that says more than just your school and year. Your summary should offer a brief glimpse into what you care about and where you’re headed. As you gain experience, keep your profile updated with roles and accomplishments that reflect growth and initiative. Public interaction such as sharing projects, responding to posts, or highlighting work you admire can make you more visible and engaged. If you're working on creative or technical projects, a simple website or portfolio might also be worth building. And every now and then, it's helpful to search your own name to see what others might find. In the end, your online presence doesn’t need to be flashy. It should just feel like an honest reflection of who you are and what you're building toward.
Joining Student Organizations
Student groups are one of the most meaningful ways to grow during college. They offer space to meet new people, explore interests, and take on real responsibility. Choosing where to spend your time can be tricky, especially with so many options. It helps to start with what feels purposeful. Some groups will connect directly to your academic or professional goals. Others might offer community, creative outlets, or ways to give back. Either way, focus on a few where you feel genuinely invested. Look for roles that let you contribute to something bigger, like planning events, running programs, or shaping team decisions. These are often the experiences that stay with you and come up in interviews later on. At the same time, be mindful of what you can realistically commit to. If an activity starts to feel like a checkbox instead of a source of energy, it’s okay to step back. Being selective with your time doesn’t mean doing less. It means creating room to do the things that matter most, and doing them well.
How to Build a Network:
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Reach out to your “warm circle”
Think professors, former internship managers, classmates, and even family friends. These are the people most likely to help you early on. A simple message like, “I’m starting my job search in [industry]. Would you be open to a quick chat?” goes a long way. The advice these people have to offer is valuable.
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LinkedIn is your ally
Like it or not, recruiters live there. Keep your profile up to date, write a headline that says what you’re looking for, and connect with people you admire in your field. Even a short “I love the work your company is doing – would you be open to connecting?” can spark a conversation. Above all, be personable and show your interest!
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Tap into alumni networks
Most universities have formal alumni platforms, but even sliding into a fellow alum’s DMs on LinkedIn or emails works. Alumni often remember what it felt like to be in your shoes and are surprisingly willing to help, more often than not.
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Treat conversations like learning, not transactions
Instead of leading with “Can you get me a job?” be intentional with your phrasing:
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“What skills helped you break into this field?”
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“If you were me, starting out now, what would you focus on?”
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People love sharing advice, and it makes them more likely to think of you when opportunities pop up.
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Follow up… without being awkward
After an informational chat or introduction, send a thank-you note. A few weeks later, share an update (“I took your advice and applied to…”). This shows you listened and valued their time. This also keeps these people involved (potentially for future opportunities).
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Widen your reach
Go to industry meetups, career fairs, or even virtual panels. Volunteer for projects or professional groups in your area of interest. The more spaces you’re in, the more people you meet, and the more likely someone will flag an opening before it’s posted.
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Give back, even early on
You might think you have nothing to offer, but you do; share articles, connect two people who could help each other, or pass along openings you see. Networking works best when it feels mutual, not one-sided.
Relationships are at the heart of any career. Skills and credentials may open doors, but it is relationships that often determine how far you go once inside. Building meaningful professional relationships is not about charm or manipulation; it is about cultivating genuine connections that support growth, collaboration, and trust. Unlike networking, which can sometimes carry the reputation of being transactional, relationship-building is about depth, not breadth. It requires patience, empathy, and reciprocity.
COFFEE CHATS
A coffee chat is usually an ‘informal’ (meaning not an official interview) meeting with professionals pertinent to your career trajectory. While coffee chats are considered ‘informal,’ they are still incredibly important and not to be underestimated. Most commonly, coffee chats are with employees at the company you are recruiting for. They can range from junior to senior level professionals, and the structure varies with each individual. While less common, coffee chats can also be arranged with retired professionals, or individuals not directly involved with your recruiting process but do have helpful information. Before getting into the details of how to approach a coffee chat, it is important to understand why you should even be reading this—what makes a coffee chat worth an entire section in this guide?
There are two main reasons behind the significance of a coffee chat. The first is personal to you. Do you actually want to work for this firm? What are the hours, the culture, the ethics behind the brand? Coffee chats allow you to ask questions 1:1 to people with different experiences at the company. This provides insight into the true culture and workflow, allowing you to assess if the company is the right fit for you. On the other hand, coffee chats are evaluative of you, the person asking the questions. Are you professional, did you prepare well, can you make conversation and make 15 minutes seem like 5? Whether an explicit process in the company or not, each coffee chat is evaluative of you, and reflects your character to the person across from you. Making a good impression could be the difference between a recommendation to the company’s recruiting team or not. So, we get it—coffee chats are important because they are a reciprocally evaluative process. But what should you actually expect, and how can you prepare for them? Let’s go over a few foundational bits of information to keep in mind.
Coffee?
Despite the word ‘coffee’ in the name, coffee chats almost always are sans the coffee, and oftentimes aren’t even in a coffee shop. Usually these calls take place in an office or over Zoom, and they really just stand for ‘1:1 15-minute chat.’
Dress
Usually it is best to wear business casual or business formal to a coffee chat. Unless explicitly stated that it is casual, don’t wear what you normally would to class. Most importantly when deciding what to wear is to research your firm’s etiquette beforehand and ask other peers (reddit can also be helpful, too).
Traditionally a coffee chat is a blank slate, and you are expected to fill the time with thoughtful questions. Also make sure to bring a copy of your resume, and have it on hand if asked. Sometimes, depending on the company, the coffee chat is reversed and represents an informal interview of you and your interest in the company. Always be prepared to talk about yourself, just in case!
Format
Outreach 101
Getting a coffee chat differs based on the company, time, and purpose. Some companies, during active recruiting, will offer links to sign up for coffee chats. Other times, it is up to you to reach out to individuals at the company and ask for a chat to learn more about their work. No matter the starting case, it is usually a good practice to chat with 2-3 people per company. Not only is it informative for you, but it also shows your demonstrated interest and commitment.
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
The Foundation of Trust
At the core of any strong relationship lies trust. Without it, connections remain shallow and fragile. Trust is built gradually, often through consistency. When you follow through on promises, respect others’ time, and show integrity in your work, people begin to see you as dependable.
Trust also grows through openness. Being willing to admit what you do not know, to acknowledge mistakes, and to show humility makes you approachable. People do not expect perfection; they expect honesty. In fact, being overly polished or guarded can sometimes hinder relationships. True rapport forms when both parties feel comfortable being themselves, including their vulnerabilities.
A useful way to think about trust is as a bank account. Every positive action: delivering on a task, listening attentively, showing support—makes a deposit. Every broken promise or sign of disregard is a withdrawal. Over time, those deposits create a strong balance that can weather inevitable challenges.
The Art of Listening
One of the most underestimated skills in relationship building is listening. Many people approach conversations with the goal of making a good impression or getting their point across, but genuine listening is far more powerful.
Listening means more than nodding or waiting for your turn to speak. It involves giving your full attention, asking thoughtful follow-up questions, and resisting the urge to immediately shift the topic back to yourself. When someone feels truly heard, they are more likely to trust you, remember you, and want to continue the relationship.
There is also strategic value in listening. By paying attention to others’ backgrounds, interests, or aspirations, you gain insights into how you might be helpful to them. That help does not always need to be grand; it might be sharing a resource, offering encouragement, or simply remembering what they told you and asking about it later. Over time, these small acts of listening and responding compound into a deeper bond.
Professionalism and Authenticity
One of the common challenges in building professional relationships is finding the right balance between professionalism and authenticity. Lean too far toward professionalism, and you may come across as distant or formal. Lean too far toward authenticity, and you may risk oversharing or blurring boundaries.
The sweet spot is being genuine while still respecting context. Share aspects of your personality, your interests, and even your struggles, but do so in a way that fits the professional environment. For example, it is appropriate to mention your love for running during a casual conversation at work, but it may not be wise to recount the details of a personal conflict in the same setting.
Authenticity also means allowing others to see your enthusiasm. Too often, people suppress excitement in order to appear composed. Yet enthusiasm is contagious and can actually strengthen bonds. When others sense your genuine interest in your work, in your interests, or in them, you create an environment of openness that invites connection.
Reciprocity and the Power of Giving
Strong relationships are not built on a bank of favors, but they do thrive on reciprocity. A healthy professional relationship involves a give-and-take dynamic where both parties feel valued and respected.
The most effective way to cultivate reciprocity is to lead with generosity. Offer help without immediately expecting something in return. Share an article that might interest a colleague, connect two people who could benefit from knowing each other, or provide thoughtful feedback on someone’s project. These small gestures often mean more than you realize, and they lay the groundwork for others to support you when the time comes.
At the same time, reciprocity does not mean always saying yes. Part of building sustainable relationships is maintaining your boundaries. You do not need to exhaust yourself to be seen as helpful. What matters more is the sincerity of your efforts and the consistency with which you show up for others.
Navigating Conflict and Disagreement
No matter how strong a relationship is, disagreements will inevitably arise. How you handle them often determines whether the relationship strengthens or fractures. Avoiding conflict altogether is not realistic, nor is it necessarily healthy. In fact, navigating disagreements in a calm manner can deepen trust.
The key lies in focusing on issues and leaving everyone’s personal life out of it. Express your perspective clearly and calmly, while showing openness to understanding the other side. Resist the urge to “win” the argument; aim instead for resolution or at least mutual understanding of where the other person was coming from.
Apologies also play a vital role. Admitting when you have made a mistake or when you could have communicated better shows maturity. It signals that you value the relationship more than your pride. Over time, people remember not only how you succeed alongside them but also how you handle difficult moments together.
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Sustaining Relationships Over Time
It is one thing to build a relationship and another to sustain it. Careers are long, and people move jobs, cities, and even industries. Relationships can fade if not nurtured. Sustaining them does not require constant communication, but it does require intentionality.
A simple practice is to check in periodically, even when you do not need anything. A quick note of congratulations on a new role, or a brief catch-up call can keep the connection alive. These gestures remind people that you value them beyond immediate utility.
Equally important is celebrating others’ successes. Showing genuine happiness for someone else’s achievements fosters goodwill. It signals that your relationship is not built on competition but on mutual support.
At the end of the day, it’s the people you stay connected with who shape the meaning of your career. Work will always bring its ups and downs, but strong relationships remind you that you’re not moving through it alone. They make the challenges easier to face, the wins more rewarding, and the whole journey feels more human.