3 Ways to Land an Internship and Make the Most of It

Hyejin Ryoo graduated from the Zicklin School of Business with a master's in business analytics in May 2024. She has recently received two exciting job offers to start a full-time role as a business analyst.

If you are having difficulty landing an internship, especially as an international student, know that you are not alone. But also know that finding and thriving in a role that best fits you is possible! Recent grad Hyejin Ryoo is proof of this possibility. In my interview with her, Hyejin shared a story of determination that led to a successful summer 2024 internship at S&P Global. Through her experience, Hyejin illustrated three ways you can land an internship and make the most of it.   

1. Step out of the comfort zone 

As Hyejin recounted her success story, she described how she stepped out of her comfort zone and applied for an internship that she believed she was not qualified for. 

The spring 2024 semester was coming to an end, and Hyejin was set to graduate in May. As an international student, Hyejin felt pressure to find work as soon as possible. She eventually learned from a friend (Zicklin MBA alum) of an internship opportunity at S&P Global, but the role was more focused on data science and was coding intensive. Given that her specialization was in data analytics rather than software development, Hyejin did not feel confident that she could land the internship, despite having some coding experience. The opportunity, nonetheless, aligned with her interests, and Hyejin was eager to find a job related to data. Though she did not have all the technical skills the position required, Hyejin believed that she “had no reason not to apply.” And so, she did.  

2. Demonstrate strengths and willingness to learn  

Hyejin prepared for the internship application and interview in several ways. For instance, with the exception of her last semester at Zicklin, Hyejin took advantage of the GCMC’s services and resources. She made one-to-one appointments with Career Advisor Jennifer Seidman and attended every GCMC networking event. Hyejin also prepared a portfolio of projects that related to data, including a Twitter Sentiments Analysis that utilized natural language processing (NLP) techniques.  

In her interview with S&P Global, Hyejin used the portfolio to highlight her strengths. She then emphasized that she was willing to learn coding and industry-specific tools, of which she had only limited experience. By showing what she could offer and by presenting a growth mindset, Hyejin proved to be a valuable candidate with potential. As a result, she successfully landed the role of Data Associate Intern at S&P.  

Hyejin’s ten-week internship consisted of much training on systems and coding. In particular, she was responsible for topical keyword extractions and analyzing those keywords for industry trends. For many of her projects, including an Interns Challenge that explored generative artificial intelligence, Hyejin worked with other interns across the world. Working with colleagues located in different countries was challenging every now and then, but Hyejin found that it also taught her to manage her time strategically. And in doing so, she was able to set aside time to connect with and learn from her supportive supervisor. While Hyejin had many accomplishments at S&P, one of her most significant achievements was her final presentation, which she developed using Jupyter Notebook, enhanced by RISE, a Python library that creates interactive slideshow presentations from Jupyter environments. Utilizing advanced techniques such as transformers and clustering, she demonstrated how she applied natural language processing (NLP) models and machine learning algorithms to deliver actionable business insights, all within just a few months of intensive learning. 

3. Join a company event – both professional and casual 

Hyejin networked with people in a variety of ways during her internship. She took advantage of all events designed for S&P Global interns, reached out to colleagues and set up one-to-one calls, and even participated in community service opportunities organized by the company. In fact, at an S&P Global volunteer event in Central Park, Hyejin had a casual conversation with an S&P Global employee without knowing that he was the president of her division! Evidently, attending company events both professional and casual allowed Hyejin to meet people within the organization and industry she would have otherwise never met.  

Final Advice 

What can you take away from Hyejin’s story? 

In addition to applying for internships that you do feel confident in, also consider internships that you may feel less confident in but that interest you anyway. Confidently demonstrate your strengths and skills and be honest about your limited experiences. Further, be willing to learn what you do not yet know; attaining new skills will eventually help you become a more knowledgeable professional. 

For students, Hyejin also suggests taking full advantage of school networking events. If going to one causes anxiety, start talking with the people you already know. Find connections in your closer circles and focus on developing long-term professional relationships. For those struggling to find work, Hyejin gets it. She, too, had difficulty finding work after the first year of her master’s program. But do not give up! As Hyejin has shown, openness to new experiences and determination can make landing an internship and making the most of it possible.  
 

About the author: 

Elizabeth Moy is a graduate student in the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences at Baruch College, pursuing an MA in Corporate Communications. She is also a College Assistant with the Zicklin Graduate Career Management Center.