Be an Artist >> Browse Articles >> Become a Designer
Step Seven: Get an Internship
Valerie Atkisson/ArtBistro
An internship is a great way to network and to get on-the-job training for graphic designers, photographers, illustrators and other design oriented careers. Go to your school’s career center and ask about internship opportunities. Ask your professors if they know of any internships. If your school already had a program set up find out about it early.
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The More Internships the Better
It is a great idea to do multiple internships in college. You will gain a
broader experience in the field and you will have a better idea of what kind
of work place environment that you are looking for. Do you prefer small or
large companies? You can better assess whether you would be a good fit for
the team or boss you would be working with.
juj576
8 months ago
12 comments
INTERNSHIP!...I need one!
paulhamus
about 1 year ago
398 comments
I too was a non-traditiional student when I was in college. At that time I could not have possibly have taken any internships if they were offered me. Why! Beacause I have to work to pay the bills. I work during the daytime and I attended college at night. At that time an internship was optional as a Studio Art Major. But since I graduated, I was also told that I needed some internships to make my resume look good. What is a person to do when it is nesessary to make a living but change careers at the same time!
CLPlatts
about 1 year ago
62 comments
As a non-traditional student...in other words and old person who went back to school to get a degree. I'm firmly opposed to non-paying internships. I spent many years working my way up through the ranks in the industry only to find my self un-employable because I didn't have a college degree. So I went back to school, graduated with highest honors only to have employers and recruiters tell me I need to add a few internships to my resume to make it look good. I have a house to support and I didn't just spend thousands of dollars on an education so I give away my talent. In case you're wondering at my last job I ran a Graphics Department with 27 people under me the parent company closed and took my department down with it. I'm very much opposed to expecting ANYONE to accept an un-paid interbship in this day and age. Companies should be required to at least pay interns minimum wage even if they are getting college credit. Unfortunatly the vast majority of these internships ARE unpaid.
LadyEvanna
about 1 year ago
8 comments
what if you cant find one?
Account Removed
about 1 year ago
What do you do when you don't take advantage of getting internships while you're in college? That was a colossal mistake on my part. For now, I'm networking as much as I can and picking up freelance jobs. Any other suggestions?
jsilver951
about 1 year ago
74 comments
The quality of the business you intern at is also very important. i interned with the advertising department of the city newspaper my graduating semester and it was horrible. they didn't know anything and the answer to every question was "add a thicker stroke and a drop shadow". i don't feel like it helped me in any way, except it was an easy 3 credits.