INTERNSHIPS

What is an internship?

Internships are situations where you work for an employer for a specified length of time to learn about a particular industry or occupation. Assignments are either directly related to your major field of study or career interest. Internships are typically part-time for one quarter either during the regular school year or during the summer. However, internships may be six-month assignments (usually January-June or July-December) or even full-time for a specified time period, depending on the employer’s needs. The work experience may take place parallel to your classes, or be on an alternating schedule with coursework.

Why should I pursue an internship?

There is no substitute for practical work experience. No longer are just high grades, good communication skills, some summer or part-time work experience, and participation in extracurricular activities enough! In today’s competitive job market, people with career-related work experience are the people who are getting the best interviews and job offers. Through internships, you get your foot in the door, gain valuable work experience, earn money (in most cases) to defray college costs, identify specific areas of interest you were not aware of, make valuable personal contacts, and learn about the "real world" in general. Internship experience looks great on your resume. And, these are only a few of the benefits! Many employers use their internship program as a pre-recruiting tool, and some employers consider only former interns for full-time positions. It’s a win-win situation for both . However, there is no obligation on the employer’s part to offer you a permanent position, and if an offer is extended, you are not obligated to accept. Listed are 7 things you gain in an internship. 1.Gain experience and exposure to an occupation or industry. 2.Explore opportunities in your major through a professional environment 3.Bridge classroom applications to the professional world 4.Network with professionals 5.Provides an opportunity for you to build your resume 6.Increases your marketability 7.Fulfill academic requirements and earn money (except for those who volunteer)

Are internships paid or non-paid positions?

There are paid internships in which you earn competitive salaries, and there are non-paid situations, which provide outstanding learning opportunities. The situation varies with the industry and organization. Some employers offer monthly or quarterly stipends to people, to defray transportation and living costs. If non-paid, specific learning objectives should be identified and over 50% of the time should be spent in a shadowing and/or learning mode. Cooperative Education Work Experience credits should always be awarded for non-paid internships. In addition, employers should consider liability factors for, such as paying Worker’s Compensation Insurance to their non-paid interns.

What does "networking" mean?

According to one statistic, 80% of all jobs are landed through personal connections. Networking means establishing and maintaining connections with people who can assist you throughout your entire career, offering advice and guidance; networking is also a critical component to the job search, because as you speak with people they might offer potential job leads. Anyone you know is a potential contact. Don't be afraid to mention your desire to secure an internship to your family and friends.

What are some basic guidelines for effective networking?

1. Be clear in your own mind what kind of information, job leads and contacts you want. 2. Speak with relevant individuals and tell them what information you need. 3. Clearly ask for their help and tactfully inquire about their comfort level regarding frequency of contact as well as when, where and how to contact them. 4. Ask permission to use the name of a contact before doing so. 5. When contacting persons to whom you have been referred by a networking contact, be clear how you got their names and that you only want information about job leads. People tend to shut down and back off if they perceive that you are asking for something that they cannot do for you (e.g. a job on a silver platter). Few people have that kind of clout! 6. Thank them for their time and ask for a referral to others who could help you. 7. Offer reciprocity! Express your gratitude enthusiastically and sincerely and offer to do likewise for that person or others that he/she may want to refer to you for networking in future. 8. Report back to your networking contacts any positive results. People love happy endings!

What should I look for in a "good" internship?

An internship should expose you to career-related, pre-professional tasks. Formal training programs are not offered by all employers, but you should expect some training and regular supervision. A good supervisor should be committed to offering career advice and constructive feedback. If an employer doesn't seem to have a formal plan for you, sit down and develop a "learning contract" - a set of goals and knowledge you would like to achieve. This will structure your experience and help the employer know how to utilize your best capabilities. Speak to a career counselor for more information about developing learning contracts or developing your own internship. Ideally, you will receive an overview of all departments and functions within the organization, for a better understanding of the industry. If not offered the opportunity to interact with those outside your department, take it upon yourself (when you can) to make appointments with other people within the company, to interview them for information and gather a broader picture of the organization's operations.

Who should do an internship?

Individuals who have little to no work experience; Students who want to gain experience in their major; People who are changing careers; Someone who would like to test a career before entering it; people who would like to begin building a network of contacts.

What are the "outcomes" of an internship?

At a minimum, you will gain some real practical business experience, even if you discover that the type of organization you interned with is not where you would actually like to work when you finish. The "best" that can happen is that you will be offered a job! Many interns are offered jobs by the organizations in which they intern. This is a particularly satisfactory outcome for both parties, and usually points to a happy working relationship.

What do I do at the end of my internship?

You create an internship report. Your report should incorporate three main elements: (1) What you actually did (2) What you learned (3) How your internship experience related to your employment or academic studies.

When do I prepare the internship?

In answering this question simply be careful not to "put the cart before the horse." To be most effective, the internship should carefully timed. As you can imagine, this is important because some internships are not available year round. Once you choose the time of the internship, good internships take time to plan, usually about one month. The planning phase of the internship is every bit as important as the on-site duties. During this time the person should list career interests, finds internship sites that provide desired experience or training, and prepares an application. This may even involve contacting a new internship site, which may prolong the planning process. These activities build communication skills and clearly establish the activities that will be conducted at the internship site.

Why should an internship be a part of my employment education?

Instead of entering your career field "cold turkey", you can enter your field with valuable internship experience. Internship education will allow people to answer the FAQ "What experience do you have?" with a resounding "Let me show you my dossier." As an internship student you will have experience as a professional in the field of your choice.

What do Employers Look for in an Intern?

Employers look for motivated people with a desire to learn. Depending on the employer, you may be required to have certain skills or classes completed prior to the internship. Computer, interpersonal, and writing/speaking skills are often requested.

When can I do an internship?

Anytime. Most are specified as Fall, Spring, or Summer. Some internship programs have application due dates for applying.

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