Hi everyone First of all, sorry if this has been posted before. I would like to know from someone who had an internship, how did you actually get one? What steps did you take? Did you directly approach the developer? Did you get help from recruitment agencies or any other sites? Any info on this would be greatly appreciated :)

I applied for mine directly on the developers website.

Applying for an internship is exactly the same as applying for a first job.

Headhunters don't help first-timers or interns find jobs. There's no money in it for them!

Agree with Tom. You have to apply direct and you have to hunt down these positions. Game companies will sometimes post info about internships on their website but they won't advertise them beyond that because they are always getting applications anyway. - Many don't even mention them on their website because they get so many applications anyway.

If any are within easy reach, you could try just turning up one day and say "I'd like to speak to someone about applying for an intern position". Make sure to have a good portfolio with you of course. It will take a lot of time but it could pay off.

Otherwise, I'd recommend phoning them up to an email. Or writing a letter. Or writing a letter and phoning a couple of days later. Emails get ignored, often teh secretary will screen them all straight to the bin.

Some big companies will visit college campuses to recruit interns and co-op students. EA Canada, for example, actively makes rounds at 14 different colleges and universities for intern and co-op positions, and events like the Ottawa Animation Festival.

But yeah, the best way is to apply directly to the company after searching their web site for any intern or co-op specific application instructions.

Quote: Original post by d000hg
If any are within easy reach, you could try just turning up one day and say "I'd like to speak to someone about applying for an intern position".

Erg, don't do this. The chance the right person is going to be able to see you right away is minimal, more likely you'll end up bothering them while they are doing something else and generally making a bad impression.

Find as many developers sites as you can and look for their jobs/hr email address and send a good covering letter+cv to that. Even if they don't say they are specifically looking for interns, apply anyway. I know we get tons of CV's on spec so we often don't have to advertise specific positions.

Alan

Quote: Original post by Alan Kemp

Quote: Original post by d000hg
If any are within easy reach, you could try just turning up one day and say "I'd like to speak to someone about applying for an intern position".

Erg, don't do this.

Agreed. Not only are they unlikely to be available but it is also unprofessional. If you want to meet with someone you make an appointment. Frankly I would also think such a person was rather stupid. Why would you travel to their office without first phoning to find out who deals with internships and if they are even in the office that day.

Thanks for your input guys ;)

If you've been in rather close contact with the developers of the company on forums, IRC and instant messengers on a non-business "relationship", would it be practical/acceptable to talk to them live about an internship?

Sorry to hijack this :)