It's never too early to start your career path with an internship. Internships are great opportunities to build your skill sets and gain practical hands-on experience. Also, employers prefer entry-level applicants with multiple internship experiences.

How do you find an internship? Do lots of research! And do your research EARLY. Some PR agencies offer great summer internships, but in order to land them you have to apply six months before the internship starts. Other PR agencies hire their PR interns just a few weeks before they start.

One word of caution: Several online sources will require you to pay for information about internships. I recommend you do not do this. There are plenty of free ways to land an internship.

Resources to get you started:
--Visit the Web sites listed under entry-level jobs of this career center. Many of them will also include internship information.

-Visit Web sites for PR agencies, nonprofits or other organizations you are interested in. Typically, internship information is located in the job or human resources area. If you don't see a listing at a company you're interested in, call human resources and ask.

-PR Open Mic: there is a job/internship listing on the bottom right side of the home page. An alumna of our program recently recommended You Intern as a good site to find quality placements.

-Network: tell everyone you know you're looking for an internship and ask for their help. Talk with alumni, faculty, friends who are in the field, etc.

-Chico State Career Center

-I've had numerous students tell me they find internship information via Craigslist.