How to Find a Great Internship in the USA for both Citizens and non Citizens

How easy it is to find an internship in the USA and its necessity

An internship involves working in an organization by a student or trainee to gain work experience, meet academic qualifications or both. Often, an internship is without pay. However, it is unnecessary to completely rule out pay as recent studies show that some interns get a wage in accordance with their academic qualifications.
The USA is an all-encompassing country. The country manages the world's largest economy. The diversity in its economy including culture, filmmaking and natural resources abundance, just to mention a few, encourage an intern to desire an association with the country. In spite of its challenge when it comes to income inequality, the economy of USA provides a high both household and employee income. This favours an intern whose hope is to work for an organization in the country after completion of the internship period. Ultimately, USA has a highly influential media house and most importantly working in the USA provides one with a high acceptance opportunity to work in any organization globally.

How to find an internship in the USA;

For a local citizen in the USA

·         Identifying your career interests- avoid being too broad or too narrow. Limit yourself to a particular interest and at the same time be flexible in what you are to do in an attempt to improve your career provided it is legal and ethical.

·         Network and attend career conferences and talks- the information you have is never enough. It is important to acquire as much information as you can on a particular organization or interest by speaking and listening to more experienced and better-exposed people such as parents, career officers, alumni, etc.. most importantly you should consider the advice offered and thank them for their assistance.

·         Search and apply early- remember you are not the only candidate interested in an internship. Always consider everyone to have qualified and the difference to make is based on time. Do your application early, not to meet deadlines but to improve your chances of being considered before the slots are filled.

For international students, 

on top of the above process, you will require a visa. If you are already a student in the country, you will require the F-1 visa while as if you are applying for an internship you will need a J-1 trainee visa or intern visa.

Additionally, there are two types of internship for a student in the USA; the Career Practical Training and the Optional Practical Training. As the names suggest CPT is career bound while OPT is not. Under CPT, an intern works part-time and can be paid and the only requirements include; having completed the first year of study and getting authorized on their student visa. The OPT internship requires approval from the US citizenship and immigration services and can be done full time.

 A J-1 visa is quite similar to OPT except that the internship must be related to the intern's field of study and the approval is from the J-1 officer responsible for your sponsoring institution.

What are the advantages of taking your internship in the USA?

1.      The use of a common tongue

This may seem like a simple thing but it is very important in one's career. Everybody wants to work in an environment where they feel involved and accepted. Intercultural communication may be difficult when you do not share the language used by the citizens. In USA, however, the common tongue is English, a global language. It not only encourages the feelings of acceptance and involvement but also nurtures you to be able to converse and work in most economies globally.

2.      Advances skills of the intern

The country’s industry is an entrepreneurial precedent. This means that you are able to learn the latest and most advanced techniques in your field as USA sets the trend in most industrial factors. The skills that one learns as well as exposure to the USA culture promote career advancement.