What to do if you can't get an internship

So, you’ve applied for every internship you fancied. You did your research, got your applications in on time and asked everyone you know for help but didn’t secure a coveted place. It’s disappointing, we know. But you’re not alone.

We’re here to help you make sense of why you haven’t got an internship yet and what you can do to get one in the future.

We’ll take you through:

• Why can’t I get an internship?
• How do I get an internship?
• Internship alternatives

There are lots of reasons why you can’t get an internship right now. And let’s be clear: none of them mean you’re not good enough, so try to get those negative thoughts out of your head. We know how tough a rejection can be, so it’s OK to be upset. However, it doesn't mean you're a bad candidate. You just haven’t found the right match yet!

Some of the reasons why you might be struggling to get an internship include:

• There are only limited opportunities. When multiple students and grads want the same internship, lots of people will sadly miss out. Certain industries will be more competitive than others. Plus, depending on your desired sector or the location of internships you're applying for, there might not be many suitable placements to apply for. Not everyone will be able to get an internship, and employers know that.
• Your job applications don’t show how great you are. When roles are super competitive, employers can’t interview every candidate. Because of that, you need to make sure that your CV and cover letter stand out. To do this, tailor your application for each internship application. It’s time-consuming, but it'll be worth the effort.
• The internships you’re applying for don’t align with your degree. Maybe you’re an English student applying for science placements, or a scientist looking for a creative internship. While we know you’ll have transferable skills, it won’t always be obvious to an employer. You’ll have better luck finding an internship that has at least some crossover with your degree. For example, you could find an internship at a publisher of non-fiction science books. If it isn’t obvious how your studies link to the role you’re applying for, make your interests and reasons for applying extra clear in your application.

You can still get an internship if you’ve already applied for some and missed out. There are lots of other opportunities out there, so don’t lose hope.

Even if you’ve missed the application window for the current intake of interns, there’ll be new placements listed before you know it.

To increase your chances of securing an internship, follow our top tips:

Have you only applied to the big names? There may be smaller companies that will help you enter your preferred sector. Gaining work experience at a suitable company (be it big, small or boutique) will add value to your CV, so don’t write off businesses you don’t know.

When it comes to smaller firms, it’s worth sending speculative applications to find out if they need help. If you’re not sure if an organisation offers internships, just ask. Even if the company doesn’t offer internships, there may be an opportunity for shadowing or other alternative work experience.

Equally, if you’ve only applied for local firms, you might be missing out on big schemes with large intakes of interns. It’s worth keeping an open mind and applying for a variety of positions.

You could even look for opportunities in other countries. An internship abroad is a great excuse to travel while building your career.

Alternatively, explore internship options in other industries. There are likely more careers available to you than you realise. Take our career path test to find a sector that matches your skills and personality. You might be surprised by what you’ll discover.

Attending Bright Network events is a great way of improving the likelihood of getting that internship you want. It’s also a valuable way of gaining insights if you can’t secure a role. At events, you can ask people for advice, watch talks or attend panel discussions to learn more about your desired industry.

Networking is key to finding out the latest opportunities, and any Bright Network event will help you do just that. You’ll get to chat with employers and potential future colleagues. Stay in touch with any connections you make, and they might keep you in mind for future internships.

You can also add your attendance to your CV, showing employers that you’re serious about your career.

There are plenty of other ways to gain valuable work experience beyond internships.

Consider gaining exposure to your chosen industry or building your skill set through alternatives like:

Volunteering is a great way to build your CV while at university.

From volunteering, you’ll gain transferrable skills and experience. It also shows future employers that you spend your time productively. Plus, it gives you a chance to make a difference. Look around and you’ll likely find something you’re interested in.

You could volunteer for a big organisation or a local one. Both are valuable and the latter might even give you more hands-on experience. Offer your services and you’ll quickly build new skills. It also feels good to work on something you care about.

We know you’re already busy studying for your degree. However, if the subject doesn’t relate to what you want to do for work, an additional course might be what you need to give your CV an industry-specific boost.

Consider doing a short course during your summer holidays. Some will even result in a formal qualification.

Alternatively, you could learn to code, drive or speak a new language. They’re all skills you can put on your CV.

Employers love to see extra skills and pursued interests, so your learnings will benefit you during application processes. Just be realistic with what you can do on top of your degree.

If nobody will give you a chance to prove yourself, you need to create that chance yourself.

Have you always wanted to write a novel or screenplay, run an event or build an app? Well, what’s stopping you?

Starting a side hustle will show your ambition, creativity and resourcefulness. It’s a good talking point for job interviews and will assist your personal development.

Want more tips about making career moves without an internship? Check our list of things to help you kick-start your career.

Getting an internship is great. You’ll grow your skills, get a feel for an industry and have the chance to prove yourself in a role. However, it’s OK if you can’t get an internship. Some sectors and areas of the country will have more internship opportunities than others, and some placements will be extremely competitive.

If you keep an open mind and take up valuable opportunities to meet employers (including attending Bright Network events), you’ll put yourself in the best possible position to bag an internship.

Don’t forget the value of internship alternatives, too. Volunteering, short courses and side projects are all excellent ways of building up your skills outside of a formal internship agreement. Plus, if your heart’s still set on an internship, having those other experiences will make your CV stand out and help you secure one the next time you apply. It’s a win-win.

Whatever you do, best of luck with your next steps! You’ve got this.