Securing Internship

The Application Process

 

You have found the microelectronics internship that you want. Now What? 

 

We are here to equip you with the tools for success.

 

Explore our tips and information when applying for an internship in microelectronics.

 

Application Preparation

The first step towards any internships is completing the application. Once you have determined the internship that you want to apply to for experiential learning (either from the list provided on our Connect to Internships page, your institution, or other community partner), you need to follow the instructions of the specific application link. Pay attention to deadline dates and give yourself plenty of time to prepare the necessary documents.

You will need to provide all required documentation at the time of submission. However, it is a good idea to review the internship website, checkout the application or apply now link, and learn what the program is looking for in your documentation to set yourself up for success. 

The application link is where you will provide your personal information and upload the requested documentation, which may include the following:

Resume

A resume is a summary of your education, work, skills, achievements, and other relevant qualifications for internship. Be concise and try to keep your resume to one or two pages. It is important to tailor your resume to the specific internship. It is a good idea to have a master resume the has all of your experiences outlined to use as a reference when writing your resume towards a specific position. 

Below are keys areas that may be included in your resume: 

Personal information-Name, phone number, email address, and sometimes a LinkedIn profile or personal website. 

Objective summary-Brief statement about your career goals or a summary of your qualifications and what you bring to the position. 

Education-List your institution, degree program, and projected year of graduation. Add any relevant courses and/or coursework that relates to the internship position. 

Work Experience-Detail your work history in reverse chronological order (most recent first), including job titles, employers, dates of employment, and key responsibilities or achievements. 

Skills-list any relevant skills such as technical skills, languages spoken, software proficiency, or specific certifications. Be sure to check the internship website for key skills and abilities that are desired for the position and include them in your resume if they apply to you, do not include skills that you do not possess. 

Achievements-Showcase awards and honors, scholarships, academic achievement, or notable accomplishments. 

Extracurricular activities-This is an area to include relevant information that does not fit into the previous sections such as volunteer work, professional affiliations, student organizations, clubs, athletics, and special interests. 

Resume writing can feel overwhelming at times, especially if you are early-on in your education and work experiences. There are many resume templates available on the internet, so be sure to check the internship website or your institution’s career center for specific resume formatting and example resumes.

Cover Letter

A cover letter is a one-page document where you introduce yourself to the employer, express your interest in the internship, highlight why you are a suitable candidate, and summarize your key qualifications and skills. 

The cover letter can feel redundant to your resume, but it helps to set you apart as a serious candidate and showcase your skills and abilities. It is not always required, so be sure to check your application submissions requirements.

Transcripts

Transcripts provide the employer with an overview of your academic achievement and course relevance. They strengthen your resume by detailing your education background. 

Provide a copy of your academic transcripts (unofficial if you have not graduated) to verify academic qualification for the internship. You can provide transcripts for college credits earned during high school, as well.

References

References are people that can speak to your skills and abilities. References may be optional, but it is a good idea to have one to three people who can provide positive information on your character and work ethic upon request. 

When choosing your references, be sure to ask their permission as a reference and to provide their personal information on your application. Ideal references are people from previous employment, academics, volunteer work, or special organizations. Family members are not typically good references but can be used if you are still building your network.

Follow-up Correspondence

If the microelectronics internships that you are seeking has an email for a person or office in charge of selecting candidates, it is a good idea to follow-up by email to make your name familiar to the reviewer as the deadline approaches. 

• Your correspondence should be short, concise and directly about the specific internship. 
• Introduce yourself and degree program
• express you interest in the internship with acknowledgment that you have applied.
• Thank the reviewer for their time and consideration for you candidacy to the internship
• Close with a polite salutation and provide your contact information.

Likewise, if you are not selected for internship, follow-up correspondence provides a polite acceptance of the rejection while still putting your name forward, which can be helpful in the possibility of being recommended for other internship opportunities.