1. Start Going To events

3 Steps to Landing an Internship for Freshman We’re a couple weeks into college and the freshman rush is winding down. You’ve got your class schedule memorized and the cafeteria food is already getting old. But don’t get too comfortable. For students interested in technology, software, design, marketing, finance, or other business related fields, landing a summer internship is a vital component in your professional development. What most freshman don’t realize, is that the race to getting that internship starts early. Many of the most notable companies have already begun accepting applications. Every year it becomes more competitive to get an internship with a tech company, but having some experience under your belt early on will help you immensely moving forward. So here’s my advice on 3 steps you can take to improve your chances. There’s a ton of free events for college students in Chicago that people simply don’t know about. There are hackathons, pitch competitions, workshops, and much more. Companies actually pay to sponsor these events just so that they can meet students like you who took the initiative to attend one of these events. The hardest part is finding what events are going on around Chicago. Thankfully my friend Dev has put together a Facebook group, Chicago Hacks, to keep track of what’s going on. These events aren’t just for hackers either, whether you’re interested in business, marketing, design, or anything else, there’s something for everyone in the Chicago tech scene. You can even win prizes or awards that you can list on your resume. And you’ll probably meet some smart friends and maybe start working on something cool. Speaking of which… 2. Work on projects outside of class Companies love to see that you are an ambitious and passionate student. The best way to show them what you care about is to start working on personal projects outside of your regular classes. It could be a small side project or a full on startup. The important thing is that you work on something you sincerely care about, and take on the challenge of learning new things to make it happen. There are a ton of websites and meetups where you can learn skills that will distinguish you from other students. Even if you aren’t successful with your project, recruiters love to hear about your experiences working outside of school. 3. Expand your network The best way to get an internship is to just connect with as many people you can and ask. You never know who’s going to say yes, and you might just find that company that’s a perfect fit. In Chicago there’s certainly no shortage of companies and people you can reach out to. After moving to 1871, one of the largest startup accelerators in the world, I learned that companies are just as desperately looking for ambitious students to work with as vice versa. I actually landed my first internship just by walking up to a team of people and asking what they were working on. Of course that doesn’t always work, but don’t underestimate how far the connections you make can take you. Shameless plug warning: If you’re interested in working with a tech company in Chicago this summer, I encourage you to apply to the 312 Fellowship. Rather than applying to dozens of companies on your own, we’ll personally match you with a Chicago tech startup that you can intern with for the summer, and you’ll join our network of tech professional and students for life. It’s completely free, and we’ll even provide you with housing for the summer. Use the referral code EARLYBIRD and apply before September 15th to earn $100! If you’d like to chat over chipotle, please reach out to me: [email protected]/* */