Finding an Internship While Studying Overseas

Career Development Center

For Students Studying Overseas in the Fall
Most internship searches can be conducted successfully in the Spring, so going abroad in the Fall is not likely to create problems for most students. However, you may want to learn and register for The BRIDGE, as there may be some unique opportunities available in the fall when employers visit campus for on-campus recruiting. If you are interested in journalism and/or government, it would be helpful to do some research before leaving the United States to learn of deadlines. Some of the internships in those fields have deadlines in November. You can often use the internet and the mail to apply from overseas - be sure to allow plenty of lead time.

For Students Studying Overseas in the Spring
BeforeYou Go:

1) Become familiar with the CDC Resources.

Learn how to use the BRIDGE, the CDC software system, by watching the BRIDGE 101 podcast or by working with a peer consultant or staff member.
Attend an Internships 101 session to learn about the internship process and CDC Resources.
Attend workshops or pick up handouts on Resume Writing, Cover Letters, Interviewing, and Networking.
Participate in a mock interview, and perhaps, a mock phone interview with a CDC staff member.
If you don't know how to use email and the internet in your internship search, read the electronic job search resources in the CDC or look at web sites such as The Riley Guide.
Create your resume in electronic formats if you can - email version, on your website, etc. Employers may not be able to receive your resume if it is attached to an email message. Information about electronic resumes is included in the CDC Resume handout and samples are included in the CDC Resume Samples packets.

2) Choose and research an industry or industries that you want to pursue.

If you don't know what you want to do for an internship and/or career, meet with a CDC counselor.
Research the industry on web sites (on CDC web site in the Career Decision-making section) and/or in the books in the CDC Resource Room.

3) Start Networking!

Create a list of alumni contacts from CareerNet on the CDC channel on myBucknell (under the tab marked "Resources for You").
Select companies and/or professionals which reflect your career goals to add to your list.
Set up phone or in-person Informational Interviews (see the Networking handouts in CDC).
Conduct in-person interviews over Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break or Winter Break.
Be sure to follow up with thank you notes.

4) Become familiar with the Internship Opportunities and deadlines. Contact employers before you go for the ones that you are really interested in.

Look at opportunities on The BRIDGE (including SummerBRIDGE). (Note: we strongly suggest you attend a BRIDGE 101 session prior to leaving campus).
Look at opportunities in the Internship Directories in the CDC Resource Room.
Look at opportunities on other web site resources.
Contact the employers by letter or phone to request an early interview.
For organizations in which you are particularly interested, it is strongly recommended that you contact the employers by letter or phone to request an interview before you leave.

5) Create a list of potential company contacts. Research the companies and be sure to find email addresses or phone numbers.

Use CareerSearch. This software can help you easily search for organizations by industry and location. (To use this resource from off-campus contact cdc@bucknell.edu for the link address, username and password.)
Use the Employer Directories in the CDC Resource Room or on our Web Resource page (under the Employment section) and if possible, find a web page address for each of the organizations.

While You are Overseas:

1) Set aside regular time to conduct your internship search (this includes email, phone calls, research).

Realize that you will be busy with your studies and activities while abroad and it will be very easy to put off the search. Try to work on it at least an hour a week. Schedule the time like it is a class or meeting.

2) Use a variety of internship search techniques.

If you have internet access, check the internship opportunities weekly. Determine which web sites have the most use for your search and keep checking back. The Bucknell listings on The BRIDGE continue to be updated regularly and it is your responsibility to keep up with the updates. With eRecruiting, you can apply for the opportunities via the web and there are new opportunities each week.
When you apply for opportunities, be sure to mention that you are overseas and will be available for a telephone interview or email contact.
If an employer selects you for an interview via The BRIDGE, be sure they understand that you are overseas. Special phone arrangements will need to be made by the employer and the CDC if they wish to interview you while they are on campus.
Contact the employers that you spoke to during the fall by letter, email or phone. It is important to follow up with these contacts, especially if they are in the process of selecting interns. You don't want them to forget you just because they can't meet with you in person.
Use email or letters/resumes when you can. It will be cheaper and more convenient. If you make phone calls, create a chart that tells you what time it is in the U.S.. If you leave a message, be sure to mention convenient times (during the workday in the U.S.) they can return phone calls and your email address.
Use the lists of companies and alumni contacts that you prepared in the fall to inquire about opportunities. Again, use email or letters/resumes when possible. Telephone calls can be expensive and inconvenient. If you have web site addresses, visit the sites and see if there is a way to apply for positions on-line.
Follow up, follow up, follow up. Keep track of the contacts you have made and follow up at least once with each employer. Inquire about the timeline of the internship search process and take notes so you know when you might be hearing from them.

3) If you feel stuck or have questions, feel free to email Sarah Bell at sebell@bucknell.edu or cdc@bucknell.edu

When You Return:

If you don't have an internship for the summer, follow up with any promising opportunities by telephone or in person. Continue to look, using the same search methods but with more personal follow-up. Also, utilize informational interviews to expand your network of contacts. Make an individual appointment with a counselor to discuss other strategies.
Be sure to pass along any problems you had with your overseas internship search to Sarah Bell so it can be addressed in this handout and in workshops. Also, pass along suggestions of methods that worked well for you.

Students Going Abroad
The BRIDGE Guidelines While Abroad

It is strongly recommended that you attend a The BRIDGE 101 session before going abroad.
Please notify the CDC you are abroad if you will be submitting applications through The BRIDGE.
If applying for opportunities that are off-campus resume referrals you should state in your cover letter or resume that you are abroad along with where they may reach you. Generally, you will not be notified on line if selected for an interview. It is your responsibility to follow up with the employer regarding the status of your application.
If applying for opportunities with employers who are conducting on-campus interviews you must also mention in your cover letter/resume that you abroad and would not be available to interview in person. If selected for an interview, it is up to you to contact the employer to make other arrangements for the interview. You must realize that not all employers will be willing to conduct telephone interviews, however, if they are, the Career Develop Center will help facilitate a phone interview during their normal scheduled interview date on campus. If an employer agrees to conduct a telephone interview during their normal scheduled interview time while on campus, you will need to sign up for an interview time through The BRIDGE. It will be up to you to furnish the recruiter with the telephone number where they may reach you. Once you have the details worked out, please inform the CDC at recruiting@bucknell.edu to let us know what you have arranged with the employer. Most contact information is available on line through The BRIDGE system. If you need assistance with contact information that is not available, contact the CDC.
If selected for an interview and have not signed up for an interview time, you will occasionally receive emails reminding you to sign up regardless of whether you have made other arrangements or not. This is just a result of the system so you may disregard any emails you may receive as long as you have notified us of your plans.
If you need assistance while abroad using the system, help sheets are available on the Career Development Center website. They are located in the Quick Pick List and are entitled "The BRIDGE Help Sheets". You may also contact Megan Adams at madams@bucknell.edu regarding other questions with using The BRIDGE while abroad.