December is the perfect time to get organized and jump-start your summer internship search.

December Checklist: How to Kickstart Your Summer Internship Search

It’s the beginning of December, classes are slowing down, and winter break is right around the corner. This is actually one of the best times to start your summer internship search. While many students are still in full holiday mode, you can quietly get ahead by planning, researching, and sending out strong applications for summer internship roles.

This guide from FindInternships.com is for college students and recent grads who want to use December and winter break wisely. We’ll walk through a step-by-step checklist to organize your summer internship search, improve your resume and cover letter, network effectively, and avoid common mistakes that cost you opportunities.

Why December Is the Ideal Time to Start Your Summer Internship Search

You don’t have to wait until spring to think about internships. In fact, many of the best summer internships have deadlines in January or February, and some competitive programs close applications even earlier. Starting your summer internship search in December gives you several advantages:

• Less competition (for now): Many students delay their search until after winter break, so you’ll face fewer applicants if you apply early.
• More time to improve materials: You can revise your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile without the pressure of midterms or finals.
• Winter break = flexible time: You can research companies, set up informational interviews, and submit applications without juggling a full class load.
• Shows initiative: Recruiters notice students who start early and stay organized. It signals motivation and professionalism.

Think of December as your planning and prep month. By the time spring semester starts, your summer internship search will already be in motion.

Step 1: Clarify Your Goals for Your Summer Internship

Before you start firing off applications, take a moment to get clear on what you want from a summer internship. This will help you target the right roles and write stronger, more focused applications.

Ask Yourself the Right Questions

Grab a notebook or a Google Doc and reflect on:

• What do I want to learn? New technical skills, industry knowledge, or soft skills like communication and teamwork?
• What fields interest me? Marketing, finance, software engineering, healthcare, non-profit, design, education, etc.
• Where do I want to be? Remote internship, specific city, or staying near your campus or hometown?
• What’s my priority? Paid internship, name-brand company, startup experience, or something flexible with your schedule?

Write down your top 3 priorities. These will guide your entire summer internship search and help you quickly filter out roles that aren’t a good fit.

Step 2: Refresh Your Resume and Cover Letter

December is the perfect time to give your resume and cover letter a serious upgrade. Strong application materials make you stand out, especially when many applicants have similar experience levels.

Polish Your Resume for Summer Internships

Here’s a quick December resume checklist:

• Update recent experience: Add your latest semester projects, part-time jobs, clubs, or volunteer work.
• Use strong action verbs: Start bullets with words like “led,” “analyzed,” “designed,” “created,” “organized,” or “supported.”
• Quantify where possible: Replace “Helped manage social media” with “Scheduled 3–5 weekly posts, increasing engagement by 20%.”
• Highlight relevant coursework: If you lack work experience, list classes and projects that connect to your target internships.
• Keep it clean and simple: One page, clear headings, and consistent formatting.

Build a Reusable Cover Letter Template

You don’t need a completely new cover letter for every application, but you should create a flexible template you can customize. Include:

• An engaging opening: Mention the company name and why you’re excited about the specific role.
• A “skills + story” paragraph: Connect your past experience, projects, or classes to the internship tasks.
• Evidence of research: Show that you understand the company’s products, values, or industry.
• A strong close: Thank them for their time and mention you’d love to discuss how you can add value as a summer intern.

Save your resume and cover letter in clearly labeled files (for example: Firstname_Lastname_Resume.pdf). This tiny bit of organization will save you time later in your summer internship search.

Step 3: Build or Update Your LinkedIn Profile

A lot of recruiters check your LinkedIn profile before contacting you. December is a great time to create one or clean it up.

• Use a clear, friendly photo: It doesn’t have to be professional studio quality—just good lighting and a simple background.
• Write a headline that says “intern”: For example, “Business student seeking summer marketing internship” or “Computer science student exploring software engineering internships.”
• Fill out your About section: Add 3–5 sentences about your interests, skills, and goals for your summer internship search.
• Add experiences and projects: Include clubs, leadership roles, class projects, hackathons, or volunteer work.

Once your profile looks solid, you can start connecting with classmates, professors, and professionals in your target fields.

Step 4: Research Internships and Make a Target List

Now it’s time to explore opportunities. Instead of randomly searching and applying, create a smart target list of companies and roles.

Where to Look for Summer Internships

• University career center: Many schools have job boards with internships specifically for their students.
• Online job boards: Use filters like “internship,” “summer internship,” “entry level,” and your major or interest area.
• Company career pages: If you already know some dream companies, check their websites directly.
• Networking and referrals: Ask professors, family, and friends if they know anyone hiring interns.
• Special programs: Look for paid internship programs aimed at first-gen students, underrepresented groups, or specific majors.

Create a spreadsheet or document where you track:

• Company name
• Position title
• Location (or “remote”)
• Deadline
• Required materials (resume, cover letter, transcript, portfolio, etc.)
• Contact person (if any)
• Status (not started, applied, interviewing, etc.)

This simple system keeps your summer internship search organized and helps you avoid missing deadlines.

Step 5: Use December to Network Without It Feeling Awkward

Networking doesn’t have to be intimidating. December is actually a natural time to reach out, because people tend to be in a more relaxed, end-of-year mindset.

Who You Can Reach Out To

• Alumni from your college who work in your target field or at companies you like.
• Professors and advisors who may know companies that hire interns.
• Family, friends, and neighbors who might work in relevant industries.
• People you’ve met at events or student organizations.

Simple Email Template Idea

Here’s a short structure you can adapt for your outreach messages:

• Introduce yourself: Name, major, school, and year.
• Explain why you’re reaching out: You’re starting your summer internship search and interested in their field or company.
• Ask for 15–20 minutes: Request a brief call or Zoom to ask a few career questions.
• Show appreciation: Thank them for any advice or time they can offer.

You’re not asking for a job directly. You’re asking for guidance, which often leads to referrals or early notice of internship openings.

Step 6: Start Applying to Summer Internships Before Winter Break Ends

You don’t need to finish your entire summer internship search in December, but you should apply to at least a few roles before winter break ends. This builds momentum and helps you practice tailoring your materials.

• Prioritize deadlines: Apply first to internships with January deadlines or those that say “rolling applications.”
• Customize every application: Adjust your resume bullets and cover letter to match the job description.
• Follow instructions carefully: If they ask for a writing sample, transcript, or portfolio, include it.
• Track everything: Update your spreadsheet so you know when to follow up.

Even if you only submit 3–5 strong applications in December, you’ll be ahead of many students who wait until the last minute.

How to Stand Out as an Applicant

When many students have similar GPAs and experience levels, what makes you stand out in your summer internship search? It’s often the small details and extra effort.

• Show real interest: Mention specific company projects, campaigns, or products that excite you.
• Highlight projects, not just classes: Include personal or class projects that show initiative—like building an app, running a small online shop, or managing a club’s social media.
• Create a simple portfolio: Even a basic Google Drive folder or personal site with your work can impress recruiters.
• Clean up your online presence: Make sure your public social media doesn’t undermine your professional image.
• Send thoughtful follow-ups: After interviews or networking calls, send a short thank-you email.

Internship recruiters often say they’re looking for curiosity, reliability, and a willingness to learn. Let those qualities come through in your materials and conversations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your December Internship Prep

• Waiting until spring: Delaying your summer internship search until March or April can mean missing earlier deadlines and competitive programs.
• Using one generic resume: Failing to tailor your resume for different roles makes it harder to stand out.
• Ignoring networking: Relying only on online applications and never talking to real people can limit your chances.
• Not tracking applications: Forgetting where you applied makes it awkward to follow up or prepare for interviews.
• Underselling your experience: Leaving off projects, campus activities, or part-time jobs that show responsibility and skills.

FAQ: December and Your Summer Internship Search

Is December too early to start my summer internship search?

No! December is actually a great time to start. Many companies open summer internship applications in late fall and winter. Starting now gives you time to research, network, and submit strong applications before key deadlines.

How many internships should I apply to over winter break?

Quality matters more than quantity, but a good target is 5–15 well-researched applications over winter break. Make sure each one has a tailored resume and cover letter that match the job description.

What if I don’t have much experience yet?

That’s okay. Focus on class projects, volunteer work, clubs, part-time jobs, and any responsibilities you’ve had. Emphasize what you’ve learned, how you’ve contributed, and how excited you are to grow through a summer internship.

Final Thoughts

December is more than just finals, holidays, and rest—it’s your secret weapon for a successful summer internship search. By clarifying your goals, refreshing your resume and cover letter, updating your LinkedIn, researching opportunities, networking, and submitting a few early applications, you’ll be far ahead of students who wait until spring.

Use this month to set yourself up for a summer full of learning, connections, and real-world career experience. And if you need more ideas, tips, and resources for landing great internships, keep exploring FindInternships.com—we’re here to help you turn your goals into real opportunities.