Can You Get an Internship After College? 

We explain the benefits of a post-grad internship, how you can find one and what it can do for your future career.

By Venus Gentile, Monster Contributor

If you've recently graduated from college, chances are you've asked yourself a slew of questions like "What can I do with my major?" or "Do I have enough experience to find the job I want?" By now, you're likely aware that getting an entry-level job can be challenging in such a highly competitive job market. So, can you get an internship after college to help you discover fresh career opportunities? Yes, you can!

It's a common misconception that internships are only available to students currently in college. On the contrary, you can start searching for post-graduate internships right now to gain valuable work experience, enhance your resume and help land a full-time job. Read on to explore the benefits of an internship after graduation and how to find one that fits your professional goals and interests.

What Are the Benefits of Graduate Internships?

There are numerous benefits to pursuing an internship program after you graduate, some of which include:

  • Gaining work experience. One of the main benefits of pursuing an internship is that it allows you to gain practical work experience in your field of interest. It can help you develop and refine your skills and better understand what it's like to work in your industry.
  • Internships are a great way to meet professionals in your field, build relationships, and secure references for future job applications. These connections can be invaluable to finding job opportunities and navigating your industry.
  • Exploring different career paths. If you're still determining what you want to do after graduation, an internship can be a great way to explore different career paths and figure out what you enjoy and are good at. This can help you make more informed decisions about your career path and avoid getting stuck in a job you're not passionate about.
  • Enhancing your resume. As a new member of the workforce, your resume is probably looking a little sparse. Having an internship on your resume demonstrates to potential employers that you have practical experience in your field, making you a more competitive candidate. It can also help you stand out from recent graduates who may not have any work experience.
  • Potential job opportunities. Some internships can lead to full-time job offers, particularly if you demonstrate your skills and work ethic. Even if you don't get a job offer, the experience and connections you gain are still valuable for your future job applications.

How Can You Get an Internship After Graduation?

Now that you're aware of some of the valuable benefits that post-grad internships offer, here are some practical steps to take to pursue one that fits your goals and interests.

Determine What You Need

Before applying, it's crucial to understand your career goals clearly. Think about what you want to achieve and what kind of experience you need. Consider your long-term career aspirations, as well as your short-term goals. Are you looking for a paid internship, or can you accept an unpaid internship in favor of the valuable experience it can bring?

Reflect on your skills, experience, and knowledge. Identify your strengths and consider how you can leverage them in an internship. Also, pinpoint your weaknesses, and consider how you can use the internship to develop new skills and gain experience in areas where you may be lacking.

Finally, assess your schedule and availability when applying. Can you get an internship after college while committing to the schedule and time requirements? Are you looking for a part-time or full-time internship? How long are you available to work?

Research Programs that Offer Internships for Graduated College Students

If you’re asking “How can you get an internship after college?” there are numerous companies and organizations that create internship programs specifically for recent college graduates. These companies use internships as a stop-gap measure when confronted with labor shortages and as a cost-effective way to attract talent to their workplace.

For example, Walt Disney and Disney-owned companies offer exciting paid internships for recent grads in various areas, including communications, marketing, entertainment, and biotechnology. Large tech companies such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft offer graduate internships in software development, engineering, data science, research, and design.

Similarly, companies such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) offer internship and fellowship programs exclusively for graduates.

How to Find Post Graduate Internships: Leveraging Your Network

Networking can be a powerful tool when it comes to finding internships. So, how can you do an internship after graduation using your existing network? Explore your online communities and professional organizations. For example, speak with former professors, classmates, and alumni from your college, to see if they know of any opportunities that may be a good fit for you. Remember, you can still use your college career center to find valuable resources, insights, and support.

Don't underestimate the power of your personal connections as well. Let your friends, family, and social network know that you're actively looking for internships for college graduates and ask if they know of any connections that could be helpful. You can also explore plenty of internship jobs in our Monster listings.

Create Your Own Internship After Your Graduation

How can you get an internship after college if you can't find what you're looking for? Do you have a passion for and possess skills in a specific area but have yet to find an internship that aligns with your vision? If you’re creative and have initiative and persistence, you can develop your own internship program!

Once you clearly understand your career goals, you can begin to define your project. This might involve identifying a problem or opportunity in your field and developing a project or initiative that addresses it. For example, you could create a marketing campaign for a local business, develop a social media strategy for a non-profit organization, or conduct research on a topic that interests you.

To make your internship successful, you'll need to identify potential employers who can help you achieve your goals. This might include local businesses, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, or government agencies. Look for organizations that align with your interests and objectives and contact them to discuss your project.

If you can't find an internship in which to apply your project, you could go the extra mile and create a hypothetical project to support your future applications. It could take many forms, including research studies, thought experiments, design concepts, or business proposals. Again, this shows your creativity, initiative, and problem-solving and can help you stand out to a potential employer.

Prepare to Take a Survival Job While You Look for Graduate Internships

If you’ve been searching for a while, you may find yourself asking “How can you get an internship after college if you’re not making enough to cover your expenses?” If you realize that you can't afford to take a low-paid internship or you just haven't found the right one, it could make sense to find a survival job.

This means looking for a temporary entry-level job that can pay the bills while you continue to search for what you’re really interested in. Once you've secured a position, make sure to balance your work responsibilities with your search for post-grad internships.

Remember, a survival job is a short-term solution, and your ultimate goal is to secure a graduate internship that aligns with your career goals and aspirations. The key to finding an internship is to be proactive, persistent, and strategic. Don't be discouraged by rejection or competition; keep searching until you find an opportunity that fits your needs and interests.

Get a Jump-Start on Finding all the Best Internships

Internships are an excellent way to get your foot in the door of your dream career. Now that we've answered your question "Can you get an internship after college?", start searching for jobs by signing up for a free Monster profile. Upload as many as five versions of your resume - each customized to the jobs that interest you. Plus, we send you frequent job alerts for internship opportunities in your location.