How to get an internship: your step-by-step guide

In films and TV, interns are often the coffee makers and lunch collectors. In the real world, though, there’s so much more to an internship. Internships can be a valuable way to grow your skills, apply learning in the real world, make industry connections and get set up for life after university.  

If you’ve decided you want to add an internship to your resume, the next step is figuring out how to get an internship. We’ve enlisted the help of Deakin University experts Katrina Gleeson and Matt Cornell to talk all things internships. 

How do I get an internship? 

When it comes to how to get an internship, the first step is knowing where to look for internship listings. 

As Gleeson and Cornell explain, internships can be either advertised or unadvertised and your approach might depend on which type you’re going for. 

How and where to find internship opportunities in Australia 

For advertised internships (also known as vacation work), you’ll generally find positions through DeakinTALENT Jobs and Internships as well as GradConnection and Prosple. According to Cornell, though, knowing how to find internships in Australia means looking beyond these convenient databases. 

‘Many internships are unadvertised, requiring students to contact employers directly,’ Cornell says. ‘They can identify suitable organisations through Google searches, conversations with work integrated learning (WIL) advisors, or employer directories like Careers & Employers and Prosple. Students should then reach out via email or phone to inquire about internship opportunities, which need to be for course credit (e.g., WIL, internship, or professional practice unit). Unadvertised placements are generally unpaid.’

How to find undergraduate internships 

Almost all internships are for undergraduates or those currently studying. If this is you, the best places to find genuine internship opportunities is though those handy sites like GradConnection and Prosple (as well as Deakin’s own portal), or by reaching out directly for unadvertised internships. As Gleeson explains, though, there are some other great options, too. 

‘The DeakinTALENT FreelancingHUB is an option that allows students to gain practical experience by working as part of a team to deliver a real project for a not-for-profit, social enterprise, community, or government organisation,’ Gleeson says. ‘Each team is guided by an industry-experienced Project Manager, providing structured, real-world experience and mentoring.’ 

Another option well worth exploring is faculty-specific resources which can help you find out how to get an internship more tailored to your study. These include WIL opportunities in the Faculty of Arts and Education, Faculty of Business and Law, Faculty of Health and Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment. 

How to find internships for new grads   

Unfortunately, internships for new grads are generally against the law in Australia – at least, unpaid internships. According to the Fair Work Act of 2009, unpaid internships are only legal as part of university studies, which is bad news for graduates.  

While paid internships are theoretically above board for new grads, they’re not common. Instead of thinking about how to find internships, Cornell says it’s best to focus on specific graduate opportunities. 

‘Graduates should focus on seeking graduate programs or graduate roles in ongoing, fixed-term, or casual capacities,’ Cornell says. ‘These positions provide valuable work experience and are designed to help graduates transition smoothly into their professional careers.’ 

What are the benefits of an internship? 

Typically, an internship is a form of on-the-job training that can be either paid or, if it’s part of required university coursework, unpaid. There are plenty of benefits to seeking out an internship, including: 

• Gaining practical experience
• Enhancing employability
• Building a professional network
• Developing transferable skills
• Exploring career paths

How to apply for an internship 

How you apply for an internship will depend on the type of opportunity you’re applying for. Let’s take a look at each in turn: 

How to get an unadvertised internship – application tips 

If you’re wondering how to get an unadvertised internship, Gleeson says you’ll want to start by emailing the employer with an attached resume. Here’s an idea of how to structure the email: 

• Introduce yourself: ‘Explain who you are, why you are writing, and why you want to intern with that particular organisation,’ says Gleeson. 
• Summarise your experience and qualifications 
• Address any placement requirements: ‘Outline the placement requirements (e.g., hours, timing, and a link to any faculty-based materials).’ 

Close the email effectively: ‘Include a call to action, such as following up with an email if you don’t hear back.’ 

Application advice: how to get an advertised internship 

Cornell says advertised positions often require a different approach to unadvertised ones, with some requiring you to undergo psychometric tests, screening interviews, or assessments – as well as the typical resume and cover letter.  

Keep these tips in mind if you’re exploring how to get an advertised internship: 

• Work on your resume: ‘Highlight relevant skills, coursework, and practical experience. Use a clean, professional format and tailor each application to the employer,’ Cornell says. 
• Include a well-written cover letter: ‘Tailor it to the specific internship, showing enthusiasm and fit. Mention how the internship aligns with career goals and use concrete examples to demonstrate skills.’ 
• Prepare your academic transcript: ‘Some internships may request this.’ 
• Use online tests for preparation: ‘Practice to build confidence – Experience Online Tests.’ 

Ready yourself for interviews: ‘Prepare by predicting likely questions, knowing your skills, and understanding the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result).’ 

How to write a cover letter for an internship 

A cover letter is an important element of any internship application, but even more so if you’re  applying for an internship that’s advertised. Gleeson and Cornell have a few tips on how to write a cover letter for an internship application: 

1. To begin, follow formal business standards for a cover letter. ‘This means starting with your name and contact details, followed by the date, the employer’s name and contact details, and a reference line (e.g., Ref: Job name; Job number),’ Gleeson says.
2. Ideally, include a personalised greeting. ‘Use a name if you can, such as “Dear [First Name] [Last Name],”’ says Gleeson. ‘If you don’t have a contact name, use a general greeting like “Dear Hiring Manager” or “To the Recruitment Team.”
3. Lay out the ‘what, why and where’ of your application. ‘The introduction should briefly state what you are applying for and where you found the advertisement.’ says Cornell. ‘Explain why you are applying for this particular internship, ensuring your explanation is tailored to the organisation and demonstrates your research into the job and the company.’
4. Set aside 2-3 paragraphs for your qualifications, experience and skills. ‘Start with a clear topic sentence identifying your relevant qualifications, skills, interests, or knowledge,’ says Gleeson. ‘Support this with one or two specific examples of how you have demonstrated these abilities in the past, using examples from work, internships, volunteering, university projects, or extracurricular activities. Ensure the last sentence of each paragraph links back to how it demonstrates you are a viable candidate and how it will be useful in the specific position.’
5. Close with a paragraph about what you’d bring to the position (and why you want it). ‘This should be tailored and show your research, such as aligning with their values or mission statement,’ Cornell says. ‘Refer to your attached resume (and any other required documents). Finally, express your interest in meeting them for an interview (if relevant) and thank the employer for their consideration.’
6. Sign off with ‘Yours sincerely’ or ‘Kind regards’ and include your first and last name underneath. 

How to get an internship: key takeaways  

There’s no doubt that an internship is an opportunity worth chasing. It can give you on-the-job experience, the chance to broaden your skill set, a good-looking resume and a boost of confidence.  

If you’re wondering how to get an internship opportunity of your own, here’s one key takeaway: be prepared. That means putting in the time to do all the things that Gleeson and Cornell mentioned, such as crafting a cover letter, updating your resume, getting a copy of your academic transcript and preparing for interviews.  

After that, be sure to make the most of your internship and enjoy the opportunity!