In my first blog that can be found here, I reviewed where to look for summer internships here at Harvard. Now I want to talk about how to strategize, actively search for internships and hit the apply button.
So what’s the strategy?
The strategy is to stay organized and on top of your application materials and deadlines! You can do so through this summer opportunities tracker I created for myself in my first year at Harvard.
Now let’s get down to business:
- You should select all pre-negotiated internships and/or Harvard programs of interest, and remember their host organizations.
- Apply as you see fit and according to eligibility.
- Filter by your interest, or search directly using keywords in the Summer Funding Opportunities database.
- See an internship or program you like? Put it into your tracker or bookmark it on your browser (this will save you a lot of time over winter break, trust me).
- Every application is unique, but you will most likely need a resume and a cover letter: use the MCS resources for those as you see fit!
If nothing you found in the database is satisfactory or you wish to carve your own path, start reaching out to organizations or people from your network within those organizations on your own! Some of the most meaningful experiences are self-made.
Here are a few tips on how to get started with this:
- Always use your @college.harvard.edu email address. As privileged as it may sound, the Harvard name goes a long way, especially if you are offering your labour for free (I’m looking at you, unpaid internships).
- Remember the host organizations I asked you to memorize from above? If they have any other internship opportunities that you could independently secure, then ask Harvard for funding. The fact that Harvard pre-negotiated an internship with them does not mean they won’t accept others. If anything, you will have proven yourself very persistent.
- Our dear old friend Google, the search engine: You should Google “organization name + summer internship/fellowship/research.” Check for eligibility and apply or email!
- A cold email never hurt anyone, right? Write to people from your field or to organizations. Here is the MCS Guide on Networking for you to review.
You can start by reaching out to:
- Professors and TFs: they all engage in research and are professionals at the top of their field (it’s Harvard after all). Even those who were not your professors, the great thing about this school is that all of us are very passionate about our study, work, and impact. Oh, and ALWAYS willing to talk about it.
- MCS Firsthand Advisors: They connect FAS students with alumni volunteers from a variety of Harvard schools for career information and advice.
- The Harvard Alumni Directory: Sign in with your HarvardKey, filter by country or organizations, and start reaching out!
- Peer Advising Fellows or other advisors: we’ve been through the process and can share contacts.
- Previous interns: reaching out to people on LinkedIn is cool! So is emailing another college student who is listed on a department’s website for having interned with them (which most are).
These strategies are relevant for both domestic and international internship opportunities.
Make sure you stay on top of your deadlines!
Summer planning is a marathon, not a sprint. Use your time, resources, and recommenders (please give them at least a 2-week notice) wisely:
| Timeframe | |
| Fall | Explore interests and internships, flag funding deadlines |
| December – January | Reach out to alumni/organizations, draft funding proposals, and applications |
| January – March | Submit grant applications + interview for placements |
| February – April | Confirm offers |
| May | Logistics: housing, travel, visas for other countries |
The earlier you begin, the better. But the process is often very person-dependent! Don’t let your classmates’ experiences affect your path.
Hopefully, after reading this two-part (long but necessary) article, you feel empowered (or at least motivated) to start your summer opportunities journey. Remember: you bring the world to Harvard, but you, from here on out, will always bring Harvard into the world! Your PAFs, advisors, proctors, tutors, MCS staff, and even faculty are here to support you in discovering the summer that feels right for you.
Currently looking for a summer internship,
Alex Draghia
Career Success Peer Advising Fellow
