5 Tips to finding an overseas internship

Cutting through the tough overseas job market can be quite challenging for many aspiring international graduates. Even for many international students, finding an internship can sometimes be just as difficult as it is to find a job. Paid or unpaid, internships are important in giving you real world experience in the industry you want to work for. To help your chances of success, here are some simple tips that can help you land that dream experience.

Explore and weigh your options

Most countries offer a myriad of internship opportunities for international students. So take your time, assess your options, and choose where and what’s best for you. In addition, figure out whether it will be better to go through the internship process on your own or use an internship placement agency.

Contact organisations of interest

If there’s a certain company that you are interested in working for, search their website to see if they offer internship programs to foreign students. If you can’t find any information, contact the organisation directly through email and express your sincere interest in future openings. You can also check some online portals dedicated to helping overseas students who are seeking internship jobs.

Know your field of interest

Although there are a lot of internships available in a wide range of industries (i.e. business, IT and engineering), it is still important to examine your interests, field of study, and other potential internship areas where you can use your skills just in case there’s no available position in a field you want to pursue.

Speak with your institution

Every institution has different policies when it comes to internships. You may want to consult your international student support staff for available opportunities in the institution. Chances are they have the resources which you may not be able to access on your own to help steer you in the right direction.

Create a resume

Now that you have compiled a list of companies and fields of interest where you will likely apply for an internship, it’s time to build a mind-blowing resume. Make sure your resume highlights your core competencies and achievements and that they are relevant to the position you want to pursue. You might also want to start setting up your online professional profile for success - anything to gain that edge over your peers and competition.With the above tips, good luck finding your dream internship abroad!If you are exploring studying in universities abroad, our part is to help you get there. Book a free counselling session with IDP Singapore and discover your next steps to studying abroad.