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Summer might seem far away, but some companies are already recruiting for coveted spots in their summer internship programs.

Each internship experience is unique and will provide an immersive hands-on opportunity that enables students to network, enhance their resumes, and apply their RMC educational foundation. In many cases, internship opportunities will lead to permanent positions within an organization.

If you are thinking about interning, come and see us at the Edge Career Center early and often! Here are five tips to help you navigate the summer internship search with ease and confidence.

1. Decide on an industry

Have you narrowed down your search? Many students have declared their major and minor. However, many students haven’t… and that’s okay! The Edge has specific software and career advisors in place to help students identify their interests, competencies, and strengths. Come by the Edge Career Center to find out more!

2. Have your resume and cover letter prepared

A resume is an essential part of getting an internship. It’s the first impression that a potential employer gets of you. One page is the average length of a resume, but make sure that the experience you are highlighting shows what makes you perfect for the job. Light on experience? (Of course you are! You are a student!) Students can include relevant coursework or extracurricular activities that might be relevant to the job.

The cover letter is an accompanying artifact that expresses your interest, why you want to work for the company, and what makes you the best candidate. The resume and cover letter go hand in hand and should be uniquely written for the position to which you are applying.

3. Practice your interviewing skills

Your potential internship supervisor is likely to get to know you with an interview—either in-person or digitally—before they extend you an offer. Practice makes perfect for interviews.

You may know that each RMC student participates in a two-day Boot Camp during their sophomore year. During Boot Camp, students learn how to tell their story, create a productive social media footprint, establish successful relationships in the workplace, define a path to financial success, and participate in an etiquette dinner. The capstone exercise of Boot Camp is mock interviews, where each student gets immediate feedback on their interviewing style. In short, great preparation for internship interviews!

If you need more practice, or if you haven’t experienced Boot Camp yet, set up an appointment with the Edge for a mock interview session just for you.

4. Start applying early

Timing for securing an internship can vary a lot. Many internship opportunities are filled very early—sometimes as early as a year in advance! February and March are when most applications are due, but frequently, smaller organizations have more flexibility.

So what’s the perfect timing? Start looking now, and career counselors in the Edge can help guide you through this process.

5. Plan to attend the Career and Internship Fair

On February 29, there is a Career and Internship Fair that all students should attend from 11-1 p.m. in Brock Commons’ Dollar Tree Room. This event has a plethora of hiring organizations on site. Students can engage for both internships and permanent employment. Make sure to bring copies of your resumes!