INTERNSHIPS

Turning Your Internship into a Full-Time Position
By The College Advisor



A growing number of employers are using internships as a way to get a first look at job applicants. If they like you, they'll be more likely to hire you when you graduate. It also gives you an opportunity to size them up. Are they the right size company for you? Do you like the company culture? Will there be opportunities for growth? Employment is a two way street—both parties need to benefit from the deal.
Here’s how you increase your chances of being a first pick:

1. Can-Do. Are you positive and willing to do anything assigned to you? Can you accept critique without becoming resentful? Do you show willingness and a sense of humor? If you do, you are one step up on the ladder to being hired.
   
2. Unwritten Rules. All companies have a culture that is full of tradition and unwritten rules. Do you ask questions of colleagues and pay attention to how people interact with each other? Do you apologize when you have unwittingly offended another? If so, you are on step two.
   
3. Seriously Persevere. Are you building a reputation of being dependable and accurate? Are you learning from your mistakes? Do you seek guidance from your supervisor and coworkers? Now you are on step three.
   
4. Hit Deadlines. Getting work done on time is necessary for any company's reputation. If you can't make a deadline, do you give your supervisor enough warning? Are you aware of priorities so you put your energies where they most count? That's step four.
   
5. Expectations and Goals. Are you meeting the expectations of your supervisor, your co-workers, and yourself? Are you learning about goal-setting? You'll be a mediocre employee if you are clueless in this area. Start setting goals for yourself as well as meeting your supervisor's goals and you'll be at step five.
   
6. Communicate…Communicate…Communicate. Even if you score I as the first letter on the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, you can't run away from communication. Both businesses and marriages fail when communication fails. Don’t bug your supervisor by being too dependent, but be sure to keep your supervisor in the loop about important things and you're at step six.
   
7. Flexibility. Emergencies occur. Upper management has a new priority. A critical delivery is late. For those scoring J on the last letter of the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, you may find these unexpected changes to be frustrating, but you'll still have to learn to be flexible to keep things rolling. If you can do that, you're at step seven.
   
8. Teaming. Those scoring F on the third letter of the Keirsey Sorter usually have an easier time of teaming up with others than those scoring T, but a certain degree of team work at times is necessary. If you're not a natural at teamwork, you probably won't be put in a situation where there is high demand for that behavior, but when it is necessary do your best to be cooperative to be on step eight.
   
9. Mentoring. Your supervisor has to check up on your work and rate you. A mentor is usually a co-worker who teaches you the ropes and gives you enough guidance so your early learning in the company goes more smoothly. Mentors can be tough or friendly. They can be social or just stick to business. No matter the mentoring style you need to adapt to, you'll have an edge to step nine if you can get someone to coach you.
   
10. Enjoyment and Interest. If the job and the company don't give you some enjoyment, it is not a good fit. Some companies are more playful and some companies are more sober. If your style and the company style are in conflict, this is not the right job for you. Also the work you do needs to be interesting. If you're bored, it's a no-fit. But if you enjoy the company and are interested in the work, you're at step ten and a good candidate for being hired when you graduate.

Making the Most of Your Internship(s)

by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.
Career counselors, employers, and others have long touted the importance for college students to work one or more internships during their college years, and a recent study released by the Vault.com shows that college students are listening: almost 9 out of 10 (86 percent) college graduates reported completing at least one internship, and more than two-thirds (69 percent) reported completing two or more internships.
So, knowing that you will have one or more internships during college, what are the keys to making the most of your internship? What follows are the 12 keys to internship success. Follow these guidelines and you should be well on your way not only to a successful internship, but to a successful career.

1. Set Personal Goals. While someinternships are very structured, others are not, so you need to spend some time before you start the internship setting goals that you want to accomplish. Maybe it's deciding on what area within marketing that you want to specialize, or learning new skills, or building your network. Whatever your goals, you will feel a greater sense of accomplishment once you achieve them. Hint: Setting unrealistic goals could make even a good internship seem bad, so make sure your goals are realistic and attainable in your internship.
2. Have Regular Meetings with your Supervisor(s). Sound obvious? Well, maybe, but you may get a supervisor who never schedules meetings with you or travels quite a bit, so you have to make sure to have regular meetings where you can share experiences and lessons learned -- both good and bad -- as well as give progress reports. Hint: While you want to keep your supervisor abreast of your accomplishments, remember to also be a good listener and learn as much as you can during these meetings.
3. Tackle all Tasks with Enthusiasm and a Positive Attitude. In just about every company, the new hire/intern is going to have to "pay his or her dues." You will undoubtedly be given some gruntwork to do, such as making photocopies, but the key is to complete all your work assignments with the same level of enthusiasm and professionalism. Hint: You might also consider working extra hours (beyond the required number for the internship) to show your work ethic to your supervisor(s).
4. Avoid Negativity. The quickest way to kill a good internship is being negative. So, avoid complaining, being rude, disrespecting coworkers, arriving late, leaving early, being closed-minded, missing deadlines, appearing arrogant, wearing improper attire, acting unprofessionally, appearing inflexible, and taking part inoffice politics. Hint: A common mistake among interns and new hires is treating secretaries and clerks as being beneath them -- avoid this behavior at all costs.
5. Never Shun a Chance to Learn More About the Company/Industry. Take every opportunity presented to you to attend company or industry meetings, conferences, and events; participate in training workshops; and read all company materials. Hint: Meetings may appear (and actually be) boring to you, but they can often offer a good chance to increase your knowledge, network, and build relationships.
6. Get as Much Exposure as Possible. Some of the best internships rotate you among departments and supervisors, but if yours doesn't, don't let that stop you from tackling new tasks, meeting people outside your department, and attending company social events. The more you are exposed to new ideas and new people, the more you'll learn. Hint: Joining the company softball team (or other informal group) is a great opportunity to meet new people in a relaxed and informal environment.
7. Don't be Afraid to Ask Questions. Always remember that an internship is a learning experience for you. While the employer expects to get a certain level of work from you, you are not expected to know everything. Seek advice and raise questions whenever you encounter something that is not familiar to you. Be open-minded about new ideas and procedures -- remember that you don't know everything and that your professors didn't teach you everything. Hint: Smart people know that there really is no such thing as a dumb question, so ask before doing.
8. Take Initiative. Employers love employees who dive into tackling tough problems and who think "outside the box" in finding solutions. Just make sure you work with your supervisor(s) so you don't overstep your authority -- and make sure you share successes with her. Hint: There is a fine line between taking initiative and being perceived as a "know-it-all," and for internsespecially, it is best to err on the side of caution.
9. Find a Mentor. A mentor is someone at a higher level in the organization that looks out for you and makes sure you are learning what you need to know and accomplishing what you need to do. A mentor can also shield you from office politics and be a good sounding board for you to discuss ideas, ask questions, etc. Hint: Your supervisor could be your mentor, but it could also be another person within the organization.
10. Network, Network, Network. One of the key tools of job-hunting is utilizing your network to find your next career step, whether another internship or a job upon graduation (and beyond). Buildprofessional relationships with your supervisor(s) and other managers in the organization. These people are also a good source for getting other job-hunting advice and tips from their years of experience. Hint: Even if you have a bad experience on an internship, never burn your bridges because you never know when it could come back and hurt you. Always leave on good terms.
11. Leave with Tangible Accomplishments. One of your goals with any internship is leaving it with some tangible results - both for your resume and your career portfolio (if you use one). Maybe you developed a brochure, computerized an inventory system, organized a sales conference, met with clients, tracked industry trends, etc. Hint: Keeping a journal may help you remember all the things you accomplished on your internship.
12. Enjoy Yourself. Most internships are great experiences, so make sure you have some fun while you're working and learning. Don't be so uptight that you are perceived as something you're not. Hint: Just make sure you don't overdo the fun -- and avoid office romances.

Getting the Most Out of Your Internship

Internships can help you learn about the inner workings of the industry while getting your foot in the door with a prospective employer. But you'll only get out of your internship what you put in it.

Learn what to expect when you walk in the door and get the most out of your internship with these tips:

Research Your Internship Beforehand
If you're into writing press releases and working with the media, you're not going to be happy working with a graphic designer or copywriter in an advertising agency. PR and advertising are different entities and it's important your internship is a good fit for you.

Be Professional
Most interns are in their early twenties and may not have worked in a professional environment before. Be respectful and show up in professional attire.

Many internships lead to full- or part-time positions within the company. The more you treat your internship as an opportunity to enhance your career, the better your chances of turning your internship into an opportunity for more responsibility and even a paid position.

Internships Don't Equal a Free Ride
Many interns go into the internship with the notion that they're not getting paid so it's not a real job. Not only is an internship a precursor to your advertising or PR career, it's your chance to meet professionals in the business and gain valuable contacts.

Be willing to work hard and do what is asked of you. Don't check for Emails from your friends, make personal calls or play on the Internet.

As mentioned before, interns are viewed as potential employees. If you're goofing off now, the bosses won't think you'll be any different when they're giving you a paycheck.

Take the Initiative
Show your enthusiasm for the industry by asking questions and letting the proper people know what part of the business interests you most.

Being actively involved in your internship shows you can be a leader. During your internship you can do everything from writing press releases to help create an ad campaign.

Question Everyone
What's a typical day like for a Public Relations Director? What does an Account Executive do? Are the copywriters happy in their jobs?

These are questions you need to ask. You're talking about your career here and this is your time to find out exactly what it's like to be working in a PR firm or advertising agency.

Don't Miss Time
Everyone gets sick and that's perfectly understandable. Missing once or twice during your internship is okay if you have to. But don't dismiss your internship as something you don't have to take as serious as a job just because you're not getting paid.

Most interns are getting college credit and you don't want a report to follow you back to your internship director. Plus, you could secure a job for yourself or burn your bridges. Remember, professionals in the business you come in contact with during your internship can help you get a job at their company or somewhere else.

Be a Leader
Get your hands messy and get to work. Don't settle for making copies when you could be writing a brochure, designing a print ad or organizing a media event.

Ask your supervisor for more responsibility. Always ask what you can do to help and ask others what you can do to help them as well.

Don't Fade Into the Background
Speak up and make suggestions. You don't want to be a smarty pants but don't think your opinion isn't valued just because you're an intern.

If you have an idea, share it. Just be sure you can back up those ideas.

Don't bash a team's ad campaign just because you don't like it. Make suggestions on how they can make that campaign even better.

An Internship Isn't Like Showing Up for Class
You're there to learn but you're not there to sit in a corner and observe. Interns who only observe are often forgotten. It's the interns who get just as involved with projects as employees, if not more, that stand out.

Your Ticket to a "Real" Job
In your internship, you could encounter the president of the company, the Creative Director, the PR manager as well as copywriters and graphic designers. Any one of the people you come in contact with at an agency or PR firm could be the key to getting you a job in the industry.

Hard workers get noticed and get jobs. These are people you can use as references after your internship is over. You always want to make a good impression.

An internship is a great opportunity to learn more about your chosen career. It's only as good as what you make of it and your time will be over before you know it. Spend your time wisely and your internship will be your first step to a successful career.

The In's and Out's of Internships

Students Share What They Learned From Their Internship

Applying classroom learning to the real world is one of the main goals of a good internship experience. In her “Internship in Business” class, Professor Arlene DeWitt from Assumption College shares valuable tips she received from her juniors and seniors taking the class.

When asked, Professor DeWitt’s students cited the following benefits to participating in an internship:

1. Solidifies career direction.
2. Helps students learn more about what they want and don’t want to do as a career.
3. Provides an opportunity to apply classroom lessons to real world experience.
4. Offers great opportunities to network.
5. May result in a job offer.
6. Provides varied experiences by introducing multiple aspects of a business/organization.
   Professor DeWitt’s class offered these tips for students interested in doing an internship:
   • Earn more responsibility to gain respect.
   • Be self motivated – get the job done.
   • Be organized.
   • Take initiative/be proactive.
   • Stay focused.
   • Identify the value you personally bring to an organization.
   • Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves and try something different.
   By doing an internship in conjunction with their business class, Professor DeWitt’s students learned how to:
   • Apply organizational behavior and managerial concepts learned in the classroom to the real world.
   • Explore career interests.
   • Evaluate and reevaluate their career goals.
     One of the most important purposes of doing an internship is to get the relevant experience employers require. The juniors and seniors in Professor DeWitt’s classroom identified what stood out as some of the most important things students need to consider and do during their internship experience.

     Internship FAQ's & Myths

     
     

     Internships are work-related learning experiences that provide students, new graduates, and career changers with an opportunity to gain important knowledge and skills in a career related field. As a career builder, internships are a chance to gain exposure to career fields of interest without making a permanent commitment. There are many resources available for finding an internship, including: internship online databases, books such as the Internship Bible, classified ads, networking with professionals and alumni from your college, etc.

     Many organizations use internships as a way to assess and train potential candidates for jobs. Internships are an excellent way to gain experience in a career field of interest as well as an opportunity to try out one or more careers by getting a behind the scenes look at what it’s actually like working in the field. Students will often do several internships to give them exposure to a variety of related jobs or even to check out various careers of interest.

     When's a Good Time to Begin Looking for Internships:

     The answer to this question is as soon as possible. It’s important to allow enough time to locate and apply for good internships. For internships in finance, government, publishing, etc., many of the deadlines to apply for summer internships can be as early as November. Internships are becoming more popular for students still in high school as well. Students who begin doing internships after their first year of college are able to complete several different internships which ultimately provides them with a wide range of experiences and makes them more appealing to employers.

     Where's a Good Place to Find Internships:

     Working with a career counselor, speaking with faculty and/or college alumni, reviewing career resources, checking out the classified ads to prospect for potential employers, and conducting Informational Interviews with alumni or professionals in the field are all excellent places to start finding what internships are available.

     There are many internships offered online through internship sites such as MonsterTRAK,Internships USA, Internships.com, etc. Check with your Career Center to see if they subscribe to any of these resources. Completing a thorough self-assessment will also help to identify key knowledge, skills, interests, and personality traits that are relevant to a particular internship or job.

     What Kinds of Internships are Available:

     Internships are available in a wide variety of fields from both the private and not-for-profit sectors of the job market. Internships may be paid or unpaid, for credit or not-for-credit, and may be pursued spring, summer, or fall.

     What's the Benefit of Doing an Internship for Credit:

     There are many rewarding and worthwhile internships available and some of these can be linked directly with college coursework. Working directly with an onsite supervisor and a faculty sponsor can provide a rich learning experience that includes additional reading, writing, etc., on the subject in addition to the experiential learning that takes place each day on the internship. It is not necessary to do an internship for credit in order to get a valuable internship experience.

     What's the Difference Between an Internship for Credit and One That's Not :

     To receive credit for an internship, students will need to complete a certain number of hours at the internship site depending on the internship guidelines of the college. It’s important to check out a college’s guidelines prior to doing an internship for credit. Usually colleges require additional work be completed and students must meet specific criteria designated by a faculty member who will also act as the internship sponsor.

     Internships not completed for credit are basically an agreement between the employer and the student. There is no formal contract in place and there's more room for flexibility. There also is no minimum number of hours to be completed for the internship.

     Internship Myths:

     Internships Not Completed for Credit are Not as Valuable as Internships for Credit:

     Although it is true that internships for credit are included on a college transcript, employers are looking for candidates who possess the relevant skills and experience to do the job and who already have exposure to the field and know that they are interested. Resumes usually do not distinguish between internships completed for credit and those which are not.

     Unpaid Internships or Volunteer Experiences Cannot be Included on a Resume:

     All experiences related to a particular internship or job can be included on a resume. As a student, relevant coursework, co-curricular activities, community services, volunteer experiences, and previous internships and jobs can also be included on a resume. Again, it is the relevant skills and experience that employers are looking for.

     All Internships Completed for Credit Must be Unpaid:

     College credit is granted by the academic institution and it does not prohibit employers from paying interns a fair wage or stipend. Colleges generally encourage and support employers to pay for work completed regardless if it’s being done for credit or not. Students interested in receiving credit for an internship will often do one or more internships for credit during fall and/or spring semester and then do a not-for-credit internship during summer break.

     There is no Difference Between Doing an Internship During Fall or Spring Semester or Doing an Internship for Summer:

     Usually colleges require that students pay tuition for summer internships for credit. The amount will depend on the number of credits received and the costs associated with credit at a particular college. Internships completed during fall or spring semester usually are rolled into the regular tuition.

     What is the Difference Between Doing a Summer Internship and Working at a Summer Job:

     Ultimately internships should include some form of training along with direct supervision of the work involved. The purpose of an internship is to introduce and train for a particular job or gain experience in a particular career field. Summer jobs are done mainly for compensation and usually include more of an entry-level position such as cashiers, lifeguards, ride attendants, camp counselors, or working at a retail store, restaurant or resort.

     Developing Internship Goals

     
     

     Before checking out the internship listings online or contacting employers about potential internships, make sure you make a list of goals and establish what you hope to gain from doing an internship. By skipping this step you may find yourself in an internship where you are unhappy and one that is not related to your future career goals or aspirations. On the other hand, an internship is a time to explore different career fields especially if you are unsure of what you want to do after graduation.

     Why Do You Want to Do an Internship:

     Internships will provide experience to see if a particular industry or career is the right choice for you. By doing several different types of internships, students can compare different career fields and better understand where their skills and interests are best suited. For example, if you are a business major and interested in marketing and advertising, you might want to get an internship in both of these areas to find out more about each one and learn about the duties and responsibilities of each job.

     What Do You Hope to Gain From an Internship:

     Internships offer experience and a way to see what it’s actually like working in the field or industry. An internship will provide relevant experience in a field to include in a resume as well as providing you with professional references and networking contacts.

     What are Your Specific Career Interests & Goals:

     Perhaps you are interested in pursuing a career in your major or minor and you want to go out and try it out before committing to a field. You may be interested in pursuing something totally different than what you are studying in college. Remember, organizations make their hiring decisions based on college performance as well as any co-curricular, professional, and volunteer experiences of the applicant.

     What Type of Work Environment are You Looking to Do:

     Are you seeking a large Fortune 500 company or a non profit agency in which to work. Think about the type of environment where you thrive best and what culture you will find yourself feeling the most comfortable. Smaller companies often provide new hires with an opportunity to learn many facets of the business as well as a chance to move up in the organization rather quickly. On the other hand, if a company is too small their may be little room for upward mobility or you might enjoy the exciting challenges and teamwork which are often a part of the large corporate culture.

     Where Do You Want to Intern:

     If you are planning to do your internship during the college semester, you will need to find an internship in close proximity to your college. During the summer months you may prefer to find an internship close to home to avoid having to pay for housing and personal expenses or you may be interested in moving to a place where you plan on finding a job after graduation or someplace totally new where you’ve always wanted to live.

     Are You Looking to Do a Paid, Unpaid, or Internship for Credit:

     Although there are a significant number of internship that pay (and some quite well), there are still many internships that are unpaid. If you are looking to gain experience in a non profit agency, there usually is not money available to pay interns to work for the summer. Sometimes employers who offer unpaid internships require interns to do their internship for credit.

     What are Some Internship Alternatives:

     Transcript notations and 1 credit internships have recently become more popular since they do not require that students pay a large sum of money to do a summer internship. Some colleges even allow students to do internships for credit during the summer and have those credits awarded in the fall semester (and rolled into fall tuition) as long as total credits for the semester are kept under 18.