If you are looking for paid internships in a specific industry, there are a few things to bear in mind prior to starting a search in earnest. First of all, ask yourself what it is that you want to do, and how much your paid internships need to be able to provide for you at a minimum in order to meet your basic living expenses. Once you have an idea of the industry you would like to work in and the specific job you would like to do, go ahead and research how much paid internships in the field you have in mind typically pay. Once you have an average figure for the paid internships in your field, you should know what to expect when companies you apply to offer you a salary.
Once you know what you want to do and the average amount you can be expected to pay to do it, search the web for the phrase paid internships, and be sure to include the name of your metro area and a few keywords regarding your industry in this query as well. Read through the available paid internships in your chosen field as closely as possible, and determine which of these options you qualify for. Go ahead and apply for each of these paid internships that seem like a winner, and be sure to politely and persistently follow up with each company to whom you have submitted a resume.
Remember that the competition for paid internships is very hard out there right now, especially in certain fields. Be polite and persistent enough to stand out during the initial application process, and your chances of landing one of these coveted paid internships should increase by quite a bit. Standing out from the crowd in a positive way is a good idea when it comes to competing in such an environment!