The Basics

What, why & how?

Internships provide students the valuable opportunity to gain professional experiences and build contacts within industries of interest before leaving MICA. ​Internships also help you identify your professional goals while making you a more competitive candidate for future opportunities. 

Career Development is here to help you navigate every step of your internship search.
​This guide will help you get started.

Keys to a successful internship

Internship vs. Freelance
Are you supplying a service the internship site cannot provide, or learning from a professional with the proper expertise? Internships should provide you with training from industry professionals. If you are providing work that the site cannot do without you, it is not an internship. (red flag call out?) Ex. Many employers contact MICA looking for design interns to create ads and logos for them because they do not employ a designer. If there is no designer to oversee your work, it is not an internship. Most likely it is freelance work you should be compensated for.

Environment & Resources
The organization should provide you with an on-site workstation and all required tools, equipment, and technology needed to complete your assigned tasks.
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Supervision & Guidance
Your supervisor should be a trained professional capable of completing the work you are asked to do. Their role is to train you and be available to answer your questions for the duration of the internship. Remember, this should be a learning experience.
Meaningful Tasks
You should be assigned projects that will teach you new skills and provide a clearer understanding of what it’s like to work in a specific industry. There should be a balance between meaningful learning experiences and menial tasks.
If a company requires you to use your own equipment or to work remotely, you should think twice about accepting the offer. What’s in it for you? Are you doing work solely for the benefit of the company?
If a company requires you to use your own equipment or to work remotely, you should think twice about accepting the offer. What’s in it for you? Are you doing work solely for the benefit of the company?
Communication​
Communication is key to a successful internship. Be sure you and your supervisor agree on the expectations of your work and to ask for constructive feedback. Never be afraid to ask questions!

Get it in Writing
Whether you complete an internship for school credit or not, it is always a good idea to have something in writing outlining your job description, timeline, and goals. Contracts are a great way to ensure you and your supervisor are in agreement with your role and the work you will complete over the course of the internship. Career Development is happy to provide a sample learning contract if you are not seeking school credit.

internship myths

We have an approved list of internships
There are more opportunities out there than we can list in one place. You can intern with just about any company, organization, or individual who can fulfill our requirements.
You need experience to get an internship
Internships are often a student’s first job. You are not expected to have much professional experience, that’s why you are seeking out an internship!
We will place you
Career Development does not place students into any positions. We are here to help you along the way and provide resources to aid you in your search.
You have to start at the beginning of the semester
Many students find their internships mid-semester. If you are seeking school credit follow our internship registration process to be approved before you begin working.
Most internships are posted online
Many internships are not found online, especially those with individual artists or small organizations. MICA students often arrange internships to fit their specific career goals with hosts who have not established a formal internship program.
You have to receive school credit
School credit is not a requirement for internships, unless you are an F-1 international student interning in the U.S. Film & Video, Photography, and Curatorial Studies' degree plans require an internship.
Unpaid internships are not worth it
​Unpaid experiences can be just as valuable as paid ones. Many internships with nonprofits are not paid given the nature of their work, but will provide professional contacts and experience you would not get in the classroom. Unpaid internships are a great way to build experience and give you an advantage when applying for more competitive, paid experiences.
*Be cautious of unpaid internships at for-profit companies that do not meet MICA’s internship requirements. Ensure you are receiving training and learning from the experience, not simply providing a free service to an employer.

Find Opportunities

Research

​As you begin your search, here are a few things to keep in mind:
  • Professional goals: Look for the internship that align with your own values and interests
  • Geography: Do you want to work in a specific city, state, or country?
  • Industry: What industries are you interested in?
  • Timing: When do you want to intern? Most MICA students complete summer internships when their schedules are more flexible. If interning in fall or spring, are you able to balance your schoolwork and an internship?

MICA Internship Blog

MICA's Internship Blog lists many successful internships students have completed for studio credit. See first-hand student accounts of experiences, searchable by industry and location.

MICAnetwork​

MICAnetwork is our free online database listing opportunities from employers who are actively seeking to hire MICA students and alumni. 

Check out these tips and tricks that can help you use MICAnetwork most effectively.
​
SYTEM TUTORIALS
​Job Agent
If you are interested in specific opportunities, set up the MICA Job Agent. First, perform a search with your desired modifiers, then click on “Email me New Jobs for this Search” and a “Job Agent” will be formed. Whenever an employer uploads a job based on your search modifiers, you will automatically receive an email to your MICA account about the job.
​Internship Histories
A database of intern histories can also be accessed through MICAnetwork. Simply click Resource Library in the left navigation, and then select Internships.

Internship + Career Fair


​MICA’s annual Internship and Career Fair brings 50+ employers to campus every spring.

Visit micacareerfair.wordpress.com for details on this year's fair as well as employers who have come to fairs in the past looking to recruit MICA students

Competitive Internship Programs

It's important to keep in mind that competitive internships require extra time, planning and research. Many will have specific requirements. Generally, the more competitive, the earlier the deadline. 
{add logos for common companies}
​Disney, Pixar, URBN, 

Utilize Your Network

​The most effective way to find any job is through your own contacts. You already have a great network right here at MICA! ​According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, at least 70% of all jobs are found through networking. This is a great way to uncover job opportunities that might not yet, or may never, be posted on job sites.

Alumni, Faculty and Industry Professionals 

Approach alumni, faculty and other industry professionals as mentors. MICA alumni can be especially generous with their time and advice.
Don’t be afraid to ask for an informational interview to learn more about entering the field and industry tips — these people were once recent graduates in need of some guidance too.
​Consider joining professional organizations in your field or attending industry conferences to make new contacts and expand your network.
Attend art openings and visiting artists’ lectures to stay updated on current events in the local art scene.
Follow up with people you meet, especially if they have agreed to an informational interview.
Sending a thank you note or follow up email to show your appreciation of their time to meet with you can go a long way.

  • Tell everyone you know what you’re looking for. Ask friends, family and faculty! 
  • Focus on building contacts around your professional interests.
  • Always have business or artist cards on hand. You never know who you will run into.
  • Exchange business cards and information.
  • Joining professional organizations, attending conferences, 
  • going to gallery shows, concerts, mix and mingles, theater shows, and art openings.

Online Social Networking

Clean up any pre-existing social media profiles on Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, etc. If an employer were to Google search your name, would they find embarrassing photos or information about you? Your online presence should be professional and reflect positively on your work and personal life.
MICA Alumni Facebook Group
CD Facebook Group
​portfolios.mica.edu/behance

linkedin

LinkedIn is an invaluable research tool in finding out about career opportunities in your desired field, and to connect with alumni working in an industry or organization you want to learn about. 

MICA Alumni LinkedIn Group

5 LinkedIn Searches
LinkedIn Essentials Guide
LinkedIn Tutorial Videos

Making Contact

Guidelines

Create and maintain a database of employers to track your contents, dates of applications, responses and interviews. Use a cover letter to request a formal interview, or reach out via email to request an informational interview. Once you have made contact, be sure to follow up. Following up shows sincere interest and initiative. ​

Finally, if you are granted an interview, always send a thank you note and/or email!
Remember, find an actual person to address your materials to, be professional, and follow up!

How to Write a Cold Email

A cold email is not customized to the company, and generally you are sending it to a general company email. You want to first introduce yourself (name, year, major), why you are interested in applying, a brief synopsis of your skills, and a link to you website or reel. Most employers will not open an attached document from someone they do not know, as they might think its spam or a virus. So make sure your portfolio website is up to date.

netiquette

1. Keep the subject line professonal and relevant. Always use a formal greeting, especially if you do not know the person.
4. Keep it concise; break text into paragraphs and your email doesnt come across as dense or overwhelming.
2. Use spell check with professional language and standard capitalization. No emoticons and TXT abbreviations allowed!
5. Be careful to correspond using an email address you check regularly.
3. Be warm and friendly, thanking the person for their time.
6. Include a link to your website and your contact information at the end.
For more tips, see our nettiquette handout!

Preparation

Your professional package consists of several materials. Most commonly, you'll need to prepare a resume, cover letter and portfolio website. You can find many helpful resources at ​www.mica.edu/careerdevelopment.

professional package

Like it or not, the resumé is the first impression an employer has of you as an artist and as a professional. Click here to learn how to Indesign your Resumé.
The cover letter works together with your resume to introduce ‘you’ to potential employers. Click here to see our guide to writing great cover letters. 
You can showcase your work through MICA Portfolios, or a variety of other platforms. See our Website Website for a collection of helpful information on assembling your portfolio.  

Interview

See our Mastering the Interview Guide for tips on how to prepare for your upcoming interview.

​Additionally, sign up for a mock interview with an alumni or staff member to better prepare yourself for future interviews. You can expect a quick 10 minute interview followed by helpful feedback to get those nerves worked out before the big day. You will walk away with a list of sample questions and tips for giving outstanding answers. This event will also help students prepare for the Internship + Career Fair, where they may interview with employers and internship hosts. Registration is required, contact Career Development for more information. 

Accomodations

If you are looking for internships outside of your home town, it's important to think about where you will live during your stay. Check other college's website for off-campus housing lists, along with Craigslist and other housing search engines (varies by city). 
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If you're planning on an internship in NYC, see our NYC Summer Housing Handout. 

Need some more help?

  1. Meet with Career Development!
  2. PCAS
  3. Counselors
  4. Drop In Hours
  5. Workshops - Link to Calendar