From the Newsstands: This story appeared in The Eagle's April 2025 print edition. You can find the digital version here.
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How am I supposed to get an internship when it’s so competitive?
American University has a deeply competitive internship culture. From the subtle — or not-so-subtle — name drops in class to the infamous “hillternships,” it can be overwhelming to hear about how your peers are so over-involved. However, these are a few tips and tricks on how to ensure you can work through the process.
Getting an internship in D.C. is hard, especially when you know everyone else is qualified; however, utilize those around you. Don’t be afraid to email a professor asking if they have recommendations. In my experience, you will be one of the few who have done so, allowing you to stand out. The University boasts about its reputation of having the most experienced professors, so why not take advantage of their advice, networks or willingness to collaborate?
Your peers at the University are also great resources. It sounds insane, but ask your friends how they got their internships. Ask if they can set you up for a coffee with their boss. The District runs on connections and networking, but the hardest step is making that first move and asking to meet.
The easiest answer to this question is the University’s Career Center. The Career Center has a variety of services, from resume-building and interview preparation to an internship opportunity feed on Handshake. Attending a resume workshop, for example, will teach you how to make your application stand out among a million others.
My favorite, and arguably most absurd, advice is to comb through LinkedIn. Look up the people living the life you want to live in a few years and message them on LinkedIn. Yes, I hear myself and understand how crazy that sounds, but the worst that can happen is they say no or ghost you.
Internship culture and competition are undeniably real. When pursuing internships in a competitive environment like D.C., it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But remember, you are not alone — embrace the connections you have at the University, whether that means reaching out to professors for advice or tapping into the insights of your peers.
Taking these small yet significant steps, like networking and using the resources available through the Career Center, you’ll be well on your way to finding fulfilling internship opportunities. And who knows? You might even discover that taking that leap to connect with others, even just through LinkedIn, could lead you to exciting new paths.
Ritika Shroff is a sophomore in the School of Public Affairs and a columnist for The Eagle.
This article was edited by Quinn Volpe, Alana Parker and Abigail Turner. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks, Olivia Citarella, Emma Brown, Hannah Langenfeld and Nicole Kariuki. Fact checking done by Luna Jinks, Olivia Citarella and Diana Melgar.
