Summer Internship Prep for Veterans
Summer internships can be a game-changer if you're a student veteran eyeing your next career chapter. Whether aiming for tech, business, healthcare, or public service, an internship is your chance to test-drive a field, build a network, and stack your resume.
But landing one (and making it count) takes some prep. Here's how to make it work for you.
What Does "Internship Prep" Actually Mean?
Internship prep is about positioning yourself to find, land, and succeed in a short-term, career-focused opportunity. For student veterans, it also means translating your military experience into terms civilian employers understand.
Think of it as a mission plan: know the objective, gather intel, build your toolkit, and execute.
Why It Matters
Hands-on experience: You get to try out a role before fully committing.
Networking: Internships often lead to job offers—or at least real connections.
Resume boost: Civilian work experience bridges the gap between your service and career goals.
Confidence: It's one thing to study business. It's another to do it—and succeed.
How to Prep Like a Pro
1. Start Early (Like, Now)
The best internships fill up fast—some government and corporate programs open applications 6+ months in advance. Finding opportunities, especially at local organizations or startups, is not too late, even if you're late to the party.
Use platforms like:
Handshake (student-focused)
LinkedIn
USAJOBS.gov (for federal internships)
Veteran-specific orgs like Hire Heroes USA and Student Veterans of America
2. Polish Your Resume
Your military resume and your internship resume are not the same thing. Translate your experience:
"Led a team of 10 personnel" becomes "Managed and trained a 10-person team to meet performance goals under high-pressure conditions."
"Maintained equipment" becomes "Oversaw inventory and maintenance of technical systems valued at $1.2M."
3. Practice Your Pitch
Be ready to explain who you are, what you're studying, and what you want to learn. Civilian employers may not understand military jargon, so simplify.
Think:
"I'm a Navy veteran studying cybersecurity. I'm looking for hands-on experience in network security or risk assessment, ideally with a company that values structured problem-solving and team leadership."
4. Brush Up on Interview Skills
Expect behavior-based questions like:
"Tell me about a time you led a team through a challenge."
"Describe a situation where you had to learn something quickly."
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep answers focused and professional.
5. Know What You Want (and What You Don't)
Internships can help you figure out what fits, but it helps to have a starting point.
Ask yourself:
Do I want something mission-driven?
Am I more drawn to small teams or big operations?
Is this about gaining technical skills, people skills, or industry exposure?
This clarity helps you target the right roles and avoid wasting time on the wrong ones.
Make the Most of the Internship
Once you land it:
Be early. Be prepared. Be teachable.
Ask questions. You're there to learn.
Track your work. Save bullet points for your resume.
Stay in touch. That mentor or supervisor could be a future job lead.