Recently I worked with a couple of students who just found out that the internship they thought they had for the summer, is now no longer in existence. Imagine securing the perfect summer internship in January only to find out in May that the internship offer has been rescinded.

The key to this situation is not to panic. Depending on your location there may be many other options that you can pursue that will be just as valuable as the internship you were planning to do.

Checking out search engines like Indeed.com and SimplyHired.com are good places to start.  Also, checking on your local Chamber of Commerce and newspaper to uncover any late listings that may have recently been posted. Volunteering is also always another option.  Through creativity and flexibility you may turn this summer into one of the best experiences you've ever had.

If you've finally landed a summer internship, please leave us a comment.

Even though it's rather late for finding summer internships or jobs, there may still be some opportunities available. I recommend trying the classified ads in your local newspaper, the local Chamber of Commerce, plus you may try prospecting with employers in a location where you plan on being for the summer.

Plans may change which could open up some new summer opportunities, so be sure to take a proactive approach if you are still looking.

Microsoft offers internships to current undergraduates, Masters and PhD students.

Students working as Microsoft Research interns get an opportunity to apply research and theory to everyday practice and do this while working alongside professional researchers to learn the tips of the trade.

As an intern at Microsoft, students will be offered positions with real responsibility that also provide amazing experiences and an opportunity to jumpstart their career. Microsoft provides internship opportunities for students interested in computer science, electrical engineering, math, and even the social sciences and most of these students also have a focus on technology. Many students who are interested in Microsoft Research internships are currently pursuing PhD degrees while undergrads tend to go more toward product development and technology internships.

We always discuss how internships benefit students but what about the importance of an intern to an organization?

Hiring an intern is a great way to bring new talent and a fresh perspective into any organization. With all of the new technological advances, college students can bring the knowledge and skills they learn in the classroom and apply it to scenarios in the real world. Applying what they learn in the classroom is one of the real benefits an intern brings to any organization.

With all of the new advances in computers and social media, it doesn't usually take a company long before they realize the value that an intern can immediately bring to an organization.  If your company has never hired an intern, it's about time that you work with your top management in order to bring an internship program into your workforce.