Most juniors in college dread the ending of the holiday season, not only because your parents aren’t cooking for you and you’ve already opened all your presents, but because that means you’re only three semesters away from graduation (if you literally just said #OhSh*t in your head this is for you)….

Have no fear, there is absolutely no need to go and fail one of your classes to ensure yourself an extra semester. Here are eight easy steps to get your ass in gear and one step closer to entering the *cue the horror music* real world.

Step 1: Create a list.

Generate a list of all of the companies and brands that you would like to intern for. No matter how far fetched you think they may be, you have to write them all down first.

Step 2: Create a professional email.

Time to say goodbye to your beloved AOL AIM screen name email ( and yes, I’m talking to you goaliegalllll1994). It’s time for a fresh start. Simply make it a combination of your first and last name with whichever email provider you provide. If your name is a little more generic, throw in your middle initial and or number to the mix.

Ex: If your name is Sarah Nicole Smith, make it sarahnsmith or sarahsmith01 or sarahnsmith01.

Step 3: Create a resume.

Now, this is the tricky part. Resumes can come in different shapes and layouts.

But there is one key: it has to be one page and with a legible font between sizes 9-12.

These are the necessary items needed:

Part 1: Your basic information

Your name, current address, your new professional email, and a phone number where you can be best reached.

Section 2: Your education information

Your high school education and then your current college education.

Section 3: Your work experience

List the name of your employer, your position, and how long you’ve worked there.

P.S.: Only list places you have worked that will give you a reputable reference if your future employer decides to call them.

Section 4: Honors

List any achievements and or honors you’ve received.

Section 5: Leadership Experience

List any clubs and or organizations you’re a part of.

Section 6: Your skill set

List the most important skills you possess. Make sure that you don't fib on this section because employees will expect you to know how to use everything you have listed and/or may give you a test on such things.

Ex 1 :

Ex 2:

Step 4: Create a reference list.

While making a reference list, make sure you include three professional references and three personal references. Naturally, you want to use people who will only say the best things about you.

Before making this list official, make sure you contact each of the people you’re wanting to use and get their permission to be used as a reference. Once they’ve given you permission, be sure to include their name, their job position, phone number, and email address.

Then list them in order of who would give the best reference. (Again, if they’re not going to say that you’re the greatest thing since sliced bread, do not include them.)

Side note: If all of this seems like I’m speaking a foreign language to you go and make an appointment at your university/college’s career center.

Step 5: Create a LinkedIn.

This step is probably the scariest because you’re going to begin to feel like your parents/relatives who are always on LinkedIn (but trust me, it is actually more addicting than other social media because it can lead to real world opportunities).

Make sure to have a “professional” and recent picture of yourself to add to your LinkedIn. Don’t use a cropped picture of you at a party where you’re eight tequila shots deep. If you don’t have a picture like that, have a responsible and trustworthy friend take a headshot of you.

You already have all your information from your resume handy. That way you’ll be able to add all that information, and more, to your LinkedIn as well.

Use your list from Step 1 to follow all the brands and companies that you like.

Side Note: Connect only with people who you know.

This is key, it’s not like Facebook, where you add your ex-boyfriends, sisters, best friend. People will be using this potentially to hire you. Like the reference list, only connect with people who you know and could potentially help you get to where you want to be.

Step 6: Talk to your faculty members.

Within your specific major/college there is typically a person within your department who is designated at the “Internship Coordinator.” This person will help lead you into the right direction on to how to begin to look for an internship. Meaning which search engines to use and potentially connect you with alumni who are within the companies you’re interested in.

Ex: If you were in the School of Communication, go to their website, look under “internship/job information,” and there is a whole slew of information.

PS: Your university also probably has a career fair, you should deff check that out.

Step 7: Talk to your family members.

See if anyone you’re related to knows anyone who would help you get where you want to be. Plus they're family, what's the worst that could happen?

As Fergie once said, “A few connections never killed nobody.”

Step 8: Apply for every and anything that interests you.

Some applications go into the black hole that we call cyberspace, others reply the next morning. Either way don't let either scenario discourage you from your dream internship.

Goodluck! AND