Landing Your First Summer Internship in the USA: A Guide
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Chapter 1: Crafting Your Resume
The excitement of landing your first internship can be overwhelming. I vividly recall my initial interview in May 2010, which was focused on Marketing. Fast forward seven years, and I found myself preparing for a new interview in a different country and field: Technology.
In contrast to Brazil, where career fairs are common in universities, the collaboration between academia and industry in the U.S. seems more dynamic. Here, educational institutions prioritize student development and employability, ensuring these are central to their mission. The emphasis on fostering a sense of community among alumni is also notable, with alumni associations playing a significant role in networking and support.
Many Brazilian graduates in the U.S. often share a connection through their institutions, leading to mutual referrals for job opportunities. For instance, I attended a career fair at Jackson State last year, where over 30 companies were actively recruiting and reviewing resumes. Additionally, I participated in several conferences and workshops that offered valuable feedback on my resume.
During one of these mentoring sessions, I had the opportunity to meet Myra Herrington, a Senior Director of Security at Walmart. She provided me with insightful suggestions on how to enhance my resume, particularly for those transitioning into Technology:
- Tailor Your Resume: Myra emphasized that my resume needed to be concise and directly relevant to the position I was targeting. Even though I wasn’t applying to Walmart, she shared her expectations for resumes in her field, specifically information security. If you're seeking a role in cybersecurity, for example, highlight skills and experiences that showcase your eagerness to learn.
- Define Your Professional Objective: Myra advised that a clear, succinct professional objective should come first on your resume—three lines at most. Following that, detail your education, including your college and expected graduation date, along with your GPA where applicable.
- Showcase Technical Skills: Right after your professional objective, list the programming languages and technical skills you possess, indicating your proficiency level—basic, intermediate, or advanced, as per Myra’s recommendation.
- Highlight Relevant Experience: After detailing your objectives and skills, focus on professional and academic experiences pertinent to the role. It’s acceptable to omit unrelated achievements. For instance, while I have extensive experience in events and communications, I emphasized projects related to digital technology for IT positions.
- Establish an Online Portfolio: It’s beneficial to create an online portfolio that displays your programming knowledge. Sites like Kaggle and GitHub are great platforms to showcase your projects, particularly in Data Science and Project Development.
- Maximize LinkedIn: Many underestimate the power of LinkedIn. Keep your profile updated and error-free in English, and consider having versions in other languages as needed. Engage authentically—comment on posts, share relevant articles, and contribute your insights. Remember, LinkedIn is a professional platform, not a social one, so maintain a suitable image.
If you need a resume template, feel free to reach out; I'm happy to assist. Also, many companies request cover letters, which should articulate your reasons for applying, your relevant experiences, and what you can bring to the organization.
I trust these insights will help you refine your existing resume or create a new one from scratch. In upcoming sections, I’ll discuss where to find internship opportunities and how the hiring process works in the U.S.
If you have specific inquiries, don't hesitate to comment or message me directly—I’m here to help!
You can also read the Portuguese version of this article [here](link).
Chapter 2: Finding Internship Opportunities
This video titled "How to find an Internship in USA (In 90 days??)" provides practical strategies for students looking to secure internships in the U.S.