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All sorts of companies offer students the chance to take summer internships. If you know exactly what you’d like to do after you graduate or what company you’d like to work for, it may be obvious what type of internship is right for you. However, if you’re still exploring your options, it can be particularly difficult to know what to look for. Whatever your goals, there are certain characteristics you should always search for in an internship.

1. Something That Will Strengthen Your Resume

Think about what kind of internship you would like to be able to list on your resume when applying for jobs and talking to potential employers at a careers fair. The experience should gain you relevant skills that mean you’re better qualified for the kind of position you want after you graduate.

2. The Chance to Explore Your Options

Depending on how well defined your career goals are, you may like to find an internship in a particular role or just in a certain industry. You may like to search for something that resembles your dream job or discover one of several possibilities for after you graduate. Whatever you pick, make sure your internship gives you plenty of opportunities to work on real projects and gives you a taste of what it would be like to work permanently in a similar position.

3. Great Contacts

Internships can sometimes lead to full-time jobs in the organization after you graduate. However, even if you decide to look elsewhere for work, the internship should provide you with useful contacts in the industry. These people may be able to recommend you other opportunities, provide you with references, or even become your mentors. To gain the most valuable contacts possible, search for internships where you’ll be in direct contact with executives at the company.

4. An Enjoyable Experience

Ideally, you’ll enjoy your internship. The type of work you’ll be doing will have a big impact, but you should also search for an organization that has a positive work culture where other people enjoy their jobs. This can have benefits beyond providing you with a great experience over the summer: it will also show you what the world of work can be like and help you make better decisions about what you’re willing to settle for later in life.

5. Work You Care About

The internship will be more meaningful to you — and look more impressive when you’re applying for jobs — if you work on projects that have an impact in the real world. Often, the best way to find out what the internship is likely to involve is to research what work interns did in previous years.

A final consideration is where you’ll live during your summer internship. Many students choose to stay near their university and find an apartment where they can continue to live when the fall semester starts. For Brock University off-campus housing, there’s Foundry Lofts. You’ll be able to stay connected with WiFi throughout the building, relax in your private bedroom in your spacious suite, and meet other students in places like the TV lounge, game room, and movie theatre. Apply now while there are still a few places left.