How I Landed My First Two Internships After Intern Pursuit (And How You Can Too)

Written by: Andy Ayup

If you’re a student majoring in Advertising & Public Relations, you know that you must complete an internship to fulfill your graduation requirement. I know… It’s easier said than done. In the fall of 2024, I was a junior in the program with no experience, looking for an internship. I remember looking at the Quotes website, trying to find any advice, tips, or information that could help me as I was preparing for Intern Pursuit. I wish I had seen a post about how I can go about landing an internship using the limited experience I have. The truth is, all you really need is drive, determination, and a resume. That might’ve sounded a little cringe… but it’s true! Here is my testimony. It’s possible, no matter who you are. Here’s how I did it. 

First, work on your resume. You want to make sure you fill up that page with everything you have done so far. If you’re reading this and thinking, “I have nothing to put on my resume!” WRONG. You’re in college. Put that. List some classes you did well in, and list any and all jobs you’ve had. List extracurriculars. Literally, whatever you can to fill up that page. Whatever experience you have, you can turn it into a selling point for yourself as you seek an internship position. I remember listing that my experience working in restaurants “helped facilitate a love for creating pleasurable experiences, improved my interpersonal skills, and increased my comfort level in hectic, or busy, high-stress and high-volume settings.” If you’re a server, you’re a great multitasker. If you’re a cook, you can easily adapt and adjust your tasks based on importance, and if the food you make gets to the tables of your restaurant, then you never miss a deadline! If people are sending back food, and you have to remake it, then you take criticism and feedback easily. Add it to your resume! You’re happy to welcome feedback and corrections, as you are committed to delivering the best final result! Janitor? You’re able to work long hours and focus on a task! Clerk at Target? Attention to detail! Literally, anything that may seem minor or irrelevant to you can be used to your advantage. Think about how you spend your days, and whatever it is that you do, use it to fill up that blank space! It is always better to have “fluff” on your resume than to submit a sheet that’s half blank! 

Next, look up the employers BEFORE the event. Quotes will always publish all of their employers who will be attending IP on their website a few days before the event. Check them out, search them up, and compile a list of a few places you would like to intern for. You’ll want to do some research on the company or organization you want to work for, find some case studies, and learn what they’re about. Jot down a couple of notes about each place that you can refer to on the day of intern pursuit. I took notes on the notes app on my phone so I could access them easily. 

Next, apply. On the employer list published on the Quotes website, you’ll find the steps to submit an application. Do it now. (Of course, only if you’re sure that you’re interested in the position and you don’t have questions that could make or break your interest in applying) If you can, try to submit a cover letter along with your resume, whether through a form or an email. I know it may seem annoying to have to write a cover letter for an internship, but this is the part where your drive and determination, which I mentioned earlier, should be kicking in. Writing a cover letter should only take a bit of your time, and it really helps to ensure that your application stands out. If you don’t know how to write a cover letter, then consider taking the class: Writing for PR.  If it’s not an option for you right now, the Harvard template is a good place to start.

Once that’s done, you’re ready for Intern Pursuit. Side note: Quotes spends the entire semester helping you prepare for Intern Pursuit. Definitely attend the meetings to get insight into this event! Make sure you dress to impress, and you have a few hard copies of your resume with you. Before meeting with a representative at a booth, review your notes and refresh your mind on what the company is about and the work that they’ve done that stood out to you. Introduce yourself, tell them you applied online, and that you’re interested in working with them, listing the reasons why. What did you jot down in your notes about the place that made you want to work there? What makes this company stand out? Don’t forget to ask for the person’s name and ask them how you can follow up with the status of your application. Get an email. Whether it’s an HR person’s email or the person you’re talking to… just get an email. If you can’t get an email, make sure you have the person you spoke to’s name because you’re about to stalk them on LinkedIn. Add the name of the person you spoke to in your notes, along with the information you need to reach out to them.

After Intern Pursuit, email them a day or two later. Tell them who you met with, and thank them for attending the event. Mention that you’re very interested in interning for them, attach your resume and cover letter, and send it off.

Now you wait. They have a lot of applications to go through, and you should expect to sit tight until you receive a response.

After two weeks, if you’re anything like I was, you might feel anxious because you’ve heard nothing about your application. Don’t worry! We’re going to send a follow-up email. We start to tread into pushy territory at this point, so be careful as you proceed.

Send them an email saying that you would still like to express your interest in the internship and give them an update on your life. For my email, I linked a blog post I had written for Ad 2 Orlando so they could see my continued involvement within the advertising community. In my experience, it was only then that I started to receive interview offers.