So you’re getting pretty serious about finding an internship? Afraid it’ll take you weeks and months of searching? Is your mom hounding you about it every time you speak to her? Whatever the reason or excuse, hears the answer to your problems. Listen up, here’s a method that will have interviews and an internshiplined up for you in 10 days.

What did you do yesterday? Seriously, take a minute and go over all of the time that somehow seemed to slip away. If you really want to find an internship, you need to get intense and serious about the search. There’s nothing magical about finding an internship, it just takes time and a little motivation. Let’s start with the basics and work out the details to help you get an internship in next 10 days.

The first thing you must do before you can find and apply for an internship is to get organized. Ask yourself the important questions, like what companies, industries, or professions, you want to pursue? You don’t need to make a specific list of companies, although it is very helpful. With this information in mind, do you have the tools ready to start seriously looking for an internship and eventually applying?

A flawless resume and an updated cover letter are critical. If you have these already saved on your computer, open them up and refresh them. If you’re asking, “What’s a resume?” you may want to explore the resume sections on this website or visit your school’s career center. Make sure that both documents are relevant to the internship search you are about to begin, such as an objective statement geared towards accounting or non-profit work.

The internship search is a full contact sport. You need to get in the game and check your ego and concerns at the door. Keeping this sports-theme going, don’t keep your search a secret. Finding an internship is all about making connections. Tell your friends, roommates, neighbors, parents, former bosses, professors, and career center counselors, about your search. See if they have any suggestions or know anyone who could be helpful. Get your resume out there. Friends who previously had an internship can introduce you to their boss or can give you pointers on the application process. No matter who you tell, its important to continuously be networking and following up any leads. If you need networking tips specifically for students on campus, be sure to check out the article "Networking Tips: Great Ways to Network On Campus".

To expand your potential, look on-line for opportunities. Between on-line postings, such as the ones listed in the “Find an internship” section of this website, and on-line classifieds, like Craigslist, there are tons of internships out there. Check out individual company’s websites and find the recruiting or careers section; find out if they offer an internship and how to properly apply. Take a moment to scout these sources out and prioritize your results. Pay attention to deadlines as to not waste time applying to ones that have already passed or filled up. Complete any applications, send in your resume and cover letter, and get ready for the next step.

There is no such thing as downtime while you’re in internship search mode. When your applications are being read by employers and your resume is being circulated, prepare and practice for the interview. An internshipinterview is oftentimes common and preparing is the best way to be relaxed and professional during it. Since the internship search is a priority for you, be sure to follow-up with employers but please don’t send five e-mails per day or bombard them with phone calls. Be patient but always be proactive.

Hopefully, by this point in your internship search, you should be receiving some feedback from your networking contacts and employers about your potential internship. Using a variety of sources, from personal connections to on-line listings and from the career center to contacting companies directly, you have given yourself the opportunity to find a great internship. Always use each experience, whether positive or negative, to learn from and improve on for the next time. Throughout the internship process, stay motivated and stay persistent - there is always an internship in need of a quality intern.

That’s how you get an internship in 10 days.