It’s that time again, Simpson College. The next few weeks will be crucial for deciding what to do with your summer and eventually, your future. There are plenty of opportunities that the summer will offer if you take advantage of them. One option is to get a job working at a local restaurant or store. It will provide you with enough cash to support your crazy spending habits. If you really luck out, you might find one that makes you a lot of cash, while giving your mind the well-deserved break it needs to unwind from the year.

However, an option that might benefit you more would be getting an internship for the summer. While internships can be tricky to find and even harder to get, they will give a chance to gain real-world experience in your chosen field and “test out the waters.” Summer internships are competitive, and to get the best one you have to be the best candidate. Here are a few tips to get you prepared for finding and landing that perfect internship.

Start researching now. There are plenty of websites dedicated to providing information about current internships to students like you. One of the most popular is internships.com. Setting up an account is simple, and by uploading a resume, your profile can be completed in minutes. The best part about it is the price tag. The services offered by internships.com are absolutely free. So set up your account, start to research openings in your area and you’ll soon be on your way to that perfect internship.

Market yourself. The newest way to show employers how interested you are in their company is by social media. Use LinkedIn to connect with potential employers and share your career objectives. Tweet what you know about the latest developments in your area of study. Not only will it cause you to do a little research about your career of choice (which is never a bad thing), but it will show future employers how dedicated and excited you are about a certain topic.

Apply, apply, apply. Employers will never know you’re interested if you don’t show it. Obviously. Send your application and cover letter along with the links to your social media profiles (LinkedIn, Twitter, blog, etc.). While some companies prefer that you send applications via snail mail, others are fine with online applications and email. If you’re unsure, you can even email the company and ask them which method of applying they prefer. Internships.com gives you the option to apply right through their website. That option has been pre-approved by the companies offering internships, so there’s no need to second-guess things.

Wait it out and prepare. You go to Simpson College, so potential employers already think you’re smart. Don’t prove them wrong when you get a call back for an interview. Do as much research on the company as you can to be fully prepared. The questions they will ask might surprise you, and you don’t want to be caught off guard and end up looking silly.

Celebrate! Congratulations, after all your hard work, you’re bound to get that dream internship. Just don’t forget to mention where you got your great advice!