Landing an internship can be a key to success for commerce students. It is an opportunity for them to transcend their academic learning into real-time practices and process. Internships not only boost your resume but also give you a sneak peek into the professional world as well. Read on to learn exactly how you can land your dream internship in commerce studies, and find great tips to make sure it’s a role that matches with what you want from life.

Why Commerce Internships Are Crucial?

Before we talk about how to get commerce internships that are highly relevant to you, let’s discuss why they are so valuable to you. Internships are a great way to get the opportunity to practice what you learn in your theory classes, especially for commerce students. 

Internships can help you discover an area of interest in accounting, finance, marketing and management; help you build professional networks; and experience the real-world skills that vary depending on which firm or agency is hiring.

The internship can also act as a test drive for your career interests. This is a way to test out which area or role suits you better by doing work in a real business environment. In fact, many employers consider internships as a long-term interview process that can lead to full-time job offers. This is the reason commerce students are interested in internships not to just learn but also as a means of promoting their careers.

Step 1: Define Your Internship Goals

The first step in how to land an internship in commerce studies is to define what you’re looking for. Setting clear goals will help you target the right opportunities and make the most of your internship experience.

Ask yourself a few critical questions first:

• Which particular field of commerce studies has intrigued you most?
• Would you like to gather experience in any particular functional area such as finance, marketing or human resources?
• What skills do you want to learn during your internship?
• Do you prefer a large company or middle-sized firm, maybe even start-up?

Once you answer these questions, you will have a clearly defined SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound) goal that will act as the North Star of your job search. For example, “I will be in top 10 investment banks as financial analysis intern by summer 2025.” It will help you focus and search for the right internship more efficiently.

Step 2: Research Potential Companies

With your goals in place, the next step in how to land an internship is to research potential companies. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to go about this:

• Make a list of 20–30 target companies for internships.
• Focus on companies you respect, have connections with, or align with your interests.
• Research these companies using LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and their websites.
• Track required skills, qualifications, and application deadlines for internships.
• Apply early to maximise your chances.
• Attend career fairs, networking events, and seminars hosted by your university’s career centre.
• Engage with companies offering commerce internships on campus.

Step 3: Leverage Your Network

Many commerce internships are filled through referrals, so it’s essential to leverage your existing network.

Start by reaching out to professors, alumni, family members, and friends who work in your field of interest. Let them know you’re searching for an internship and ask if they can introduce you to someone at a company on your list. 

Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and actively engage with professionals in your network by commenting on their posts or sharing relevant content.

Remember, networking is about building relationships, not just asking for favours. Offer to meet for coffee or a quick chat, and be genuinely interested in learning from the experiences of others. These connections can provide valuable insights and may lead to internship opportunities that aren’t advertised publicly.

Step 4: Prepare Your Application Materials

When applying for commerce internships, your application materials—resume, cover letter, and any other required documents—need to stand out. 

5 Tips to Make Your Resume Stand Out for Commerce Internships as a Student

• Highlight strong academic achievements in commerce-related subjects.
• Include relevant internships or part-time jobs to showcase practical experience.
• Emphasise key skills like data analysis, financial management, and problem-solving.
• Add any involvement in student organisations or leadership roles.
• Tailor your resume to the specific internship, focusing on the skills and qualifications they seek.

5 Tips for Commerce Students to Write Pick-Me-Up Cover Letters for Desired Internships

• Start with a strong introduction that expresses enthusiasm for the role.
• Highlight relevant coursework and experiences that align with the internship.
• Showcase your skills in financial analysis, market research, or data management.
• Demonstrate how your background fits the company’s needs and goals.
• End with a confident call to action, expressing eagerness for an interview.

Commerce students should also consider including a portfolio of work if applicable, especially for roles in marketing or finance where showcasing your work can make a strong impression.

Step 5: Ace The Interview

If you’ve followed the steps so far, the next challenge in how to land an internship is acing the interview. Here’s what you should do for it:

• Research the company’s products, services, competitors, and industry trends.
• Understand how your skills and experiences align with the company’s needs.
• Practise common interview questions, using the STAR method for clear answers. 

The STAR method is a structured approach to answering behavioural interview questions by clearly describing a situation you’ve encountered, the task you needed to accomplish, the action you took, and the result you achieved. Here’s how it breaks down:

• Situation: Describe the context or challenge you were facing.
• Task: Explain the specific task or responsibility you were assigned.
• Action: Detail the actions you took to address the situation or complete the task.
• Result: Share the outcome of your actions, highlighting what you achieved or learned.

This method helps you provide concise and focused answers, making it easier for interviewers to understand your experience and skills.

• Prepare thoughtful questions about the company’s culture, tasks, and learning opportunities.
• Show genuine interest by asking insightful questions during the interview.

Step 6: Follow Up and Stay Persistent

After the interview, it’s important to follow up with a thank-you email. Express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview, reiterate your interest in the internship, and highlight one or two key points from the conversation that make you excited about the role.

If you don’t hear back immediately, don’t get discouraged. The process of how to land an internship can be competitive, and it may take time to secure a position. Stay persistent, continue applying to other opportunities, and keep refining your approach based on feedback and experience.

Conclusion: Commerce Studies: How to Land an Internship

Landing an internship in commerce studies requires a combination of strategic planning, networking, and persistence. By following these steps—defining your goals, researching companies, leveraging your network, preparing strong application materials, acing the interview, and staying persistent—you can increase your chances of securing a valuable internship that sets the stage for your future career.

Remember, commerce internships are more than just a requirement for graduation; they’re an opportunity to explore your interests, build professional skills, and make connections that will serve you well throughout your career. Start your search early, stay focused, and don’t be afraid to aim high—you never know where the right internship might lead you.