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How to Make Connections

UrbanSprawlster

UrbanSprawlster

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I am currently a master's student and I am trying to make internship connections for Summer 2026. My Graduate Assistantship is requiring me to give them a decision if I am coming back for the summer by February. My long term goal is to move outside of the state and work in Detroit, Cleveland, or Vermont/Northern New England. I was wondering how people made connections out of state and what is a good way to network in the field? Does anyone have any insights on internships in these areas?
 
One of the things I did was to reach out via email introducing myself to the chairperson. I was already with a WTS chapter so that made it easy. Since I couldn't attend an event until the fall, they hosted a virtual book club which I went to. I was also grateful to snag a virtual coffee chat with an alum in that same chapter.

I'd do that same with APA. They have chapters that will lead to your goals (Michigan, Ohio, and Northern New England).
 
UrbanSprawlster said:
I am currently a master's student and I am trying to make internship connections for Summer 2026. My Graduate Assistantship is requiring me to give them a decision if I am coming back for the summer by February. My long term goal is to move outside of the state and work in Detroit, Cleveland, or Vermont/Northern New England. I was wondering how people made connections out of state and what is a good way to network in the field? Does anyone have any insights on internships in these areas?
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Conferences are a really great way to network with others outside that region.

The other is really do your homework on each of those areas. Understand the good and bad of what is going on, the politics behind it, and what is being done about it. Finally, check with your alumni association to see if there are folks from your school working in those areas. Reach out to them to see if they know of anything.
 
See if your faculty in your grad program have any contacts you can exploit in your desired locales.

Cold calls are hard, but the often reap rewards.

Good luck!
 
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