So, you’re gearing up to dive into the exciting world of design internships, huh? Awesome choice! Bagging an internship is like getting a backstage pass to the design profession—it’s where you get to apply all those skills you’ve been honing and rub shoulders with the pros.

But wait, are you fully prepared for the ride? Here’s a sneak peek into your ultimate internship prep guide:

1. Show Off Your Best Work: Your portfolio is your golden ticket to internship paradise. Make sure it’s polished, updated, and bursting with your best design masterpieces.
   1. Pro tip— Showcase your work by setting up a Behance online portfolio. It’s a quick way to make sure your portfolio is always ready to share. And it can easily connect to your LinkedIn page. Check out this article Building Your Portfolio from invision about the 8 things to know about building a professional portfolio.

2. Get Your Networking Game On: Picture this: mingling with design gurus, swapping stories, and maybe snagging a sweet internship lead or two. That’s the power of networking. So, hit up those design events and make some industry pals.
   1. Pro tip— Learn How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”: Watch the Self Made Millennial for examples and tips on answering one of the most common questions. Here’s one of our favorite videos showing how it’s done.

3. Sharpen Those Skills: Whether it’s mastering the latest design software or perfecting your sketching game, now’s the time to level up your skills. The design world waits for no one!
   1. Pro tip— LinkedIn is the gift that keeps on giving because it also comes with LinkedIn Learning. LinkedIn Learning is XSAY WHAT IT IS HERE and you can access it for FREE with a public library card. If you’re a graphic designer looking to upgrade your skills, check out our friends at Awesome Design Academy. ADA is XXXX. 

4. Embrace Feedback: Don’t shy away from constructive criticism—it’s your secret weapon for growth. Seek feedback from mentors, teachers, or even your design-savvy pals.
   1. Pro tip— Picture your Career: This workbook is designed for visual thinkers and offers techniques to help you discover your strengths, develop your vision, design a path forward, and deliver your talent. You can access Career PDFs to Picture Your Career through the following link:

• Picture Your Career

5. Personalize Your Applications: Cookie-cutter applications? Nobody has time for that! Take the extra effort to tailor each application to the company you’re eyeing. Show them why you’re the perfect fit.
   1. Pro tip— How to Develop a Resume: This resource provides guidance on writing an effective resume.

• Picture your resume – Infographic
• ResumeGenius

6. Ace Those Interviews: Got an interview lined up? Time to shine! Practice your answers, strut your stuff, and let your passion for design do the talking.
   1. Pro tip— Learn how to navigate common interview questions with this comprehensive guide to the most common interview questions.

7. Stay Persistent: Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is your dream design career. Keep pushing, keep applying, and keep believing in yourself. The perfect internship is just around the corner!

So, there you have it—your ticket to internship success. Get ready to unleash your design magic on the world! And remember, once you’ve gone through this prep guide and you’re ready to take the next step in your career journey, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jacinda Walker, our career development expert. She’s here to help you further refine your strategies and provide valuable insights to ace those internships. You can schedule your appointment through this link:Calendly – Jacinda Walker Happy internship hunting!