How to List Internships on Your Resume (With Examples)

Including an internship on your resume is essential for standing out in today’s competitive job market. As industries evolve, the experience gained through internships remains invaluable, especially for recent graduates and those shifting career paths.

Internships not only provide practical experience but also facilitate networking opportunities and can lead to full-time job offers. In this article, we’ll explore effective ways to present your internship experience on your resume, share examples, and discuss how to address internships during job interviews.

Key Takeaways:

• Internships should be included in your work experience section, or create a dedicated internships section if applicable.

• Clearly state your job title, the company’s details, and your responsibilities when listing an internship.

• Internships offer valuable benefits including resume enhancement, professional networking, and potential employment opportunities.

• Consider removing internships from your resume after five years, or once you’ve held two to three relevant jobs in the industry.

What Is an Internship?

As you transition from education to the workforce, securing relevant experience can be challenging. An internship serves as a bridge, allowing students and recent graduates to gain practical experience in their field of interest. Typically lasting from one month to three months, internships can be offered part-time or full-time and should ideally be paid positions.

Internships provide a real-world setting where you can acquire essential skills, build your professional network, and better understand the industry you’re interested in. Key competencies often gained through internships include time management, project management, problem-solving, and client relationship management. Even short-term internships can significantly enrich your skill set and networking contacts.

It’s important to differentiate internships from externships, which typically involve shadowing a professional and are often unpaid. Externships are shorter in duration and focus more on observation than active participation.

Where to Place Internships on Your Resume

Internships should be prominently featured on your resume, especially if they are relevant to the position you are applying for. You can list your internship experience in one of two ways:

• Experience Section: This is the most common placement. Include your internship details along with any relevant work experience, emphasizing transferable skills even if the roles are not directly related.

• Separate Internships Section: If you have multiple internships, consider creating a dedicated section for them. Place this section near the top of your resume if these experiences are particularly relevant to your job application.

How to Include Internships on Your Resume

Internships should be treated like any other job when detailing your resume. Include the following information:

• Job Title: If applicable, specify your internship title, such as “Sales Associate Intern” or “Marketing Intern.” If you lack a formal title, simply use “Intern.”

• Company Information: Provide the company name, location, and the specific dates of your internship. This illustrates your experience level and the relevance of the organization.

• Duties: List your major responsibilities and achievements in bullet points, highlighting accomplishments and relevant experiences during your internship.

Focus on showcasing relevant experiences and skills gained during your internship. Avoid listing non-essential tasks or responsibilities that do not add value to your application. If you’re unsure of what to include, compile a list of tasks from your internship and identify the most relevant skills to emphasize.

Example Resumes

1. Example of Internships in a “Work Experience” Section:

   WORK EXPERIENCE

   TD Ameritrade
   Jersey City, NJ
   Marketing Communications Intern
   June 2019 – August 2019

   • Developed a four-part webinar series, including promotional campaigns, internal communications, presentation development, and speaker assignments.
   • Authored weekly blog posts for the technology blog, resulting in a 45% increase in readership.
   • Designed customer satisfaction surveys and presented findings to the Communications team.

   Dow Jones
   New York, NY
   Marketing Intern
   June 2018 – August 2018

   • Created a monthly editorial calendar, developing topics, conducting interviews, and promoting content on social media.
   • Collaborated with Cvent to develop an app and webpage for the company’s September event.
   • Took detailed notes during all-hands marketing meetings and distributed them to the Marketing and Executive teams.

2. Resume Example with an “Internships” Section:

   Lacey Klein

   3492 Nixon Avenue | Toledo, OH, 43609 | 419-699-3880 | lklein@gmail.com
   QUALIFICATIONS

   Highly motivated self-starter with expertise in fast-paced digital marketing environments. Proficient in digital initiatives, including marketing automation, SEO strategy, and app and website development.

   EDUCATION

   Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing
   Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802

   INTERNSHIPS

   TD Ameritrade
   Jersey City, NJ
   Marketing Communications Intern
   June 2019 – August 2019

   • Developed a four-part webinar series, including promotional campaigns, internal communications, presentation development, and speaker assignments.
   • Authored weekly blog posts for the technology blog, resulting in a 45% increase in readership.
   • Designed customer satisfaction surveys and presented findings to the Communications team.

   Dow Jones
   New York, NY
   Marketing Intern
   June 2018 – August 2018

   • Created a monthly editorial calendar, developing topics, conducting interviews, and promoting content on social media.
   • Collaborated with Cvent to develop an app and webpage for the company’s September event.
   • Took detailed notes during all-hands marketing meetings and distributed them to the Marketing and Executive teams.

   WORK EXPERIENCE

   Bloomingdale’s, Princeton, NJ
   Sales Assistant
   June 2017 – November 2017

   • Provided customer service to clients of the major department store, assisting with selections and managing cash register and inventory tasks.

When to Include and Exclude Internships on Your Resume

Include internships on your resume when they are relevant to the job application. While many students may be tempted to lead with their education, highlighting an internship can demonstrate practical experience and skill development in your field.

This is particularly important if you’re making a career change. Internships can provide critical experience for those with limited work history in a specific industry. Don’t overlook your internship experiences, especially if they align with the job you seek.

When to Exclude Internships:

As you gain more experience in your chosen field, you can begin to remove internships from your resume. A general guideline is to exclude internships after five years, or once you’ve held two to three relevant jobs in the industry. After this period, focus on showcasing your professional work history without emphasizing internships.

Author

Caitlin Mazur

Caitlin Mazur is a freelance writer at Zippia. Caitlin is passionate about helping Zippia’s readers land the jobs of their dreams by offering content that discusses job-seeking advice based on experience and extensive research. Caitlin holds a degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.