Shining a Light on Internships

Laura Ittner, a Seattle University senior majoring in communications, landed a year-long internship with Seattle City Light by taking a Zen approach that ultimately paid off.

That doesn’t mean she didn’t put in the work.

“I felt so much pressure as a rising senior without any internships under my belt,” she says. “But it was only after I accepted that I might not land anything that I was able to focus on being a good candidate.”

Now she is working as a talent acquisition intern in the department responsible for hiring City Light employees. It’s not only given her solid experience but also showed her that City Light is a place she would love to work for full-time after graduation.

Right now, Ittner is helping to create a manual for future talent acquisition specialists as she learns about the utility’s hiring processes, as well as preparing to staff a booth at a job fair representing the agency.

Drawn to public service, Ittner finds the immersion in public utilities fascinating and is excited to see what she will learn next.

“Even though I've only been there for about a month, I really like the team, I really like the stuff we're doing,” she says. “I could definitely see myself doing this as a career after I graduate.”

Over the course of the academic year stretching from fall 2024 to spring 2025, almost 1,400 Seattle University students worked internships, and that’s just counting those who worked internships for class credit.

Christian Russell, assistant director of external relations, operations for SU’s Career Engagement Office, says internships are important not just for giving students hands-on experience to complement what is learned in the classroom, but align with SU’s Ignatian pedagogy, emphasizing the value of self-reflection and discernment.

“Internships are when the work from the classroom is translated into real life, not to mention the opportunities for employment down the line,” says Russell. “In a way, it’s where the rubber meets the road.”

Employers and students begin the search for summer internships shortly after class resumes in the fall, so Ittner suggests starting sooner rather than later. After first feeling panicked that she didn’t have intern experience on her resume when transferring from Bellevue College and completing a year at Seattle University, Ittner has a few pointers for students who might feel the same way:

• If you don’t know where to start, and even if you do, reach out to SU’s Career Engagement Office. The professionals there can offer help with drafting a cover letter, reviewing your resume and even preparing you for an interview with a potential employer.

“They were so understanding of my nervousness throughout the process and helped me nail all my applications,” says Ittner. “But book ahead because internship season is going to be busy.”

• Whether you are applying for one internship or 20, take the time to thoughtfully tailor your application materials. Make sure your cover letter responds to the employer’s values, tinker with your resume to emphasize how your background and experience meets the qualifications for the position and “always send a thank you email after an interview.”

• Whether you are applying for one internship or 20, organization is key.

“I applied to six internships total and tracked them using a spreadsheet,” Ittner says. “The more applications you have, the messier it gets so make sure you know where you are in every hiring process.”

Learn more about internship opportunities and book an appointment with the Career Engagement Office today.