For those of us looking, the prospect of finding an internship should seem like the opportunity that it is. I never realized how incredibly difficult it could be.

Obviously nowadays, loading up your schedule with an internship on top of classes, a part time job, and occasionally sleep is essential. With the job market the way it is, no one can afford to not have at least some real world experience before they graduate.

According to Forbes Magazine, “Internships are the easiest way to a job”. But what no one tells you is that landing one of these internships is no walk in the park. And even if you are chosen for one internship, it can get you down knowing that a lot of students are busy taking on two, three or even more internships before they graduate.

Personally I’ve applied to 17 different internships. That means sending my resume, going to multiple internship and career fairs, sending out writing samples, sending emails and going in for interviews for all of these different companies and organizations, just for the prospect of working for free because of the possibility that it or the experience I get from it will maybe, someday, help me get a job after graduation next year. And for the several that I’ve heard back from a “No thanks.” Response is the most frustrating two words a student looking for an internship can hear.

As depressing as a rejected application for an internship can be, at least it’s a response. But I’m now trying to diversify my resume and where I’m applying to. A lot of bigger companies only take one or two applicants of the thousands and thousands they receive each month. Which seems a little silly to me (it’s not like many internships are paid and why wouldn’t these companies want more free labor?). But none the less according to the Business Insider website, “Internships have become ten times more exclusive in their selection process over the last ten years”.

So my advice to anyone in the same boat as me is just trying and stay positive. The more places we apply to the better chance we have of hearing some positive news. If you get frustrated and stop applying (like I’ve contemplated doing more than a few times throughout this while process), you’ll never know how close you might have been to getting an internship.

P.S. Anyone reading this looking for an intern feel free to give me a call =]