Internships and Other Career Experiences:
Important tools in achieving your career goals

Internships

Important Strategies To Achieve Your Career Goals 

Internships Add Value

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Internships Today Are Not What They Once Were

While traditional summer internships do still exist, there are many other internship-like opportunities that don't fit the old model.

Not all interns today are teenagers or in their early twenties. Students who have already been in the workforce for awhile are participating in internships. They may have been impacted by layoffs or are seeking a career change and are also using internships or other career experiences to gain that much needed edge in seeking new employment.

Let's take a look at some of the kinds of internships and other career experiences companies are making available today.

Internships And Other Career Experience Activities

• Traditional internships are still the most popular among employers. Interns typically work under a mentor or supervisor to complete assigned tasks or projects as defined by the employer. The employer also specifies the length of the internship and number of hours per week.

• Virtual internships, though considered fairly novel by some, are becoming more popular. They involve work that is done entirely by computer and remotely, usually involving online research. There is no need to report to a physical work location. Virtual internships save on travel and relocation costs, and allow maximum flexibility in working hours. If the work requirements permit, they also can allow the intern to sample several different internships simultaneously.

• Special projects. Many students are employed full-time while completing their degree and hope to make a career change within their current organization. Finding opportunities to gain new experiences and prepare for this transition can be challenging. However, many students have successfully worked with their company and manager to identify special projects, ad-hoc teams, or cross-functional teams that provide exposure and experience in new areas of interest. It may not be an internship in the traditional sense of the word, but it provides an employee/student with the experience needed.

• Part-time work. Many students are able to satisfy the need to get experience by obtaining a part-time job related to their field of study. By broadening a search and investigating a variety of options, students may find many other opportunities other than an internship for valuable experience.

• Volunteering. There are many organizations that depend on volunteers to help them accomplish their goals. Volunteering is a great way to gain experience, demonstrate skill and help the community.

• Informational interviews. While not exactly an opportunity to gain experience, these meetings are a way to connect with people already working in your area of interest and can provide you with information on what it is really like to work in the field.

• Job shadowing generally involves observing or shadowing a professional through a typical day or two of activities. This could also include informational interviews with a tour of the facility, and possibly even participation in actual office projects.

• Professional associations. A lot of people don't think of membership in a professional association as a way to gain experience, but most organizations have committees that carry out the business of the association. Those committees are made up of volunteer members. This is a great way to gain more relevant experience and to start connecting with other professionals.

• Other terms you will hear used are practicum and co-op programs. These and the above terms are often used interchangeably by different schools and programs and they all provide career relevant experience.

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Reasons To Participate In An Internship Or Other Career Experience

You can't get a job without experience and you can't get experience without a job. The solution is to participate in some type of career experience. Here are some other important reasons:

• Employers expect to see an internship (or other career relevant experience) listed on the resumes of new graduates.

• If you have completed an internship, you will clearly have an edge over your classmates who have not.

• Any kind of work experience on your resume is helpful, but career-relevant internship experience will make a better impression on employers.

• That internship could just end with a job offer. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reported in a May 2010 research brief 53.3 percent of employers converted eligible interns into full-time hires.

• It is an opportunity to work with qualified professionals and gain a wealth of knowledge.

• It is a way to get an inside glimpse of a company, an industry, and a particular occupation.

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• It can help you discover if the career you are considering is right (or wrong) for you. You could find out your chosen career field is not what you thought or maybe one specialty is a better fit for you than another.
• Let's say you are a marketing major, and you complete an internship in marketing research. You discover you hate it. Before giving up on marketing, you do an internship in public relations and find it is a perfect fit for you. Isn't it better to figure all this out before you graduate and find yourself in a field that is not for you?

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• It is an introduction to the company's culture and etiquette. Are clients addressed by their first name? Are jeans appropriate for casual Friday? This can be valuable information when you are interviewing or beginning a job.

• It is a chance to learn and understand the jargon of a profession.

• You will apply what you have learned in the classroom to actual on-the-job experience.

• You can begin to develop good work habits. Sometimes when we are in school we might skip a few classes, miss an assignment or schedule classes so we don't have to get up early. You can't slack off if you want to succeed in the workplace. You will be learning the workplace behaviors employers expect..

• It helps you develop self-confidence and professionalism.

Establish Contacts And Begin Networking

• Build your professional network by participating in an internship. Make important contacts within your field that may help you advance in your career. Networking is the #1 job search strategy.

• Everyone you meet is a potential contact for your network and someone you can call upon for advice and referrals when you are job-hunting.

• Establish career relevant, professional references requested by employers considering you for a position.

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Additional On-The-Job Training

 Many employers offer other kinds of training during your time with them. Some examples might include:

• Unique activities
• Lunch and learn
• In-house workshops and seminars
• Exposure to various parts of the organization
• Job shadowing and tours
• Some employers offer a peek into areas or meetings where employees may not normally be included, giving you exposure to the unique inner workings of an organization.
• Exposure to management

Personal Growth

• Develop confidence and learn to interact professionally with peers. Internships foster self-confidence. Meet and work with new people in developing interpersonal communication skills. If you are afraid of facing the work world when you graduate, an internship will teach you that you can do it.

• Gain a feeling of responsibility and independence. You will build motivation and work habits.

• Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Gain a new perspective on your talents.

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Be A Winner

• Interns tend to get better grades because they are better able to see the relevancy of coursework to real-world situations.

• By completing an internship you may be able to earn college credit toward your degree. A lot depends on the major, whether an internship is required, or if you have elective credits that could be satisfied with internship credits. You will also have to meet certain criteria established by the college in order to qualify for an internship to earn credit.

• You might make money. Not all internships are paid, but those that do pay can help you earn money to put toward your tuition or living expenses.

• The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reported in May 2010 that newly hired entry-level candidates with internship experience received salary offers that were 31 percent higher than those who had no internship experience.

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When Should You Start Planning For An Internship?

The time to start planning is right now. Many employers begin recruiting months in advance of the internship start date. If you wish to participate in an internship next summer you should start planning the fall or winter before. If you are planning for a spring experience, start the process the prior summer or fall. You cannot begin the process too soon. Don't wait until the last minute. You will find in this case the early bird gets the work.

What Is The Process?

Just like a job search, a lot of preparation goes into getting ready for an internship. Here are some steps that should prove useful to you.

• Prepare a resume geared toward seeking the experience you desire. Career Services is available to provide feedback and offer recommendations on how to best present yourself in a resume. Click on links to the right for information about resume preparation, cover letters, and references.

• Make an appointment with Career Services to talk about internship opportunities and to learn what the requirements are to earn academic credit (if needed). Not all degree programs require an internship; however, many students pursue internships anyway in order to acquire relevant experience to add to their resume. Click on links to the right to determine requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, and College of Science and Technology.

• Don't forget to check out the resources available at the Bellevue University Library.

• Create a search strategy (this is very much like searching for a job).
• Maintain a spreadsheet documenting the companies you contact or apply to and the status of your application.
• Research employers and do keyword searches through the Internet.
• Identify target organizations and contact them directly to make them aware of your interests and enthusiasm by providing the information they require.
• Click on the link to the right for frequently used job boards and web sites that list internships.
• Network with family, friends, teachers, and previous employers to learn about opportunities.
• Career Services is available to give you advice on your internship search strategy.

• Prepare thoroughly for your interview. Most organizations select interns through a competitive process very similar to what is used in hiring. That means:
• Brush up on your interview skills by completing practice interviews. Click on the Interview Preparation Strategies to the right. Many employers are conducting behavioral interviews so check out the behavioral interview questions (link to the right). You can also do a Google search for questions.
• Also, for a very realistic practice interview, log in to New Bruin, click on Career Resources, and then click on InterviewStream.
• Career Services is available to provide feedback on practice interviews.

• Once you have secured an internship offer letter, notify Career Services for assistance to ensure applications for academic credit are processed as required.

International Students

International students must follow established Curricular Practical Training (CPT) guidelines. CPT employment must be authorized and I-20 updated before work begins. Practical training is an opportunity for international students in F-1 status to participate in professional, temporary employment directly related to their academic program. Curricular Practical Training refers to an internship, co-op program, or practicum, undertaken prior to the completion of studies. The training must be a required part of the curriculum and the student must receive academic credit for the employment. The training cannot have as its primary purpose the facilitation of employment and must not delay the student's progress toward degree completion. Click on the link to the right for the guidelines and application.

CPT is not authorized for students who have completed their degree requirements or are not in good academic standing or "out of status". Students who have completed their degree requirements should apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Click on the link to the right for additional details.

Be sure to visit with a representative from International Programs at Bellevue University for additional details regarding documentary requirements.

Internship Do's And Don'ts

Your career experience will be great because it will give you connections to people and the industry you might be working in. Please keep these do's and don'ts in mind.

 DO

• Network
• Be honest and ethical
• Display energy and enthusiasm
• Maintain professionalism
• Dress to impress
• Arrive on time every day
• Speak in a professional manner
• Keep busy
• Ask for additional work when your assigned tasks are completed
• Ask questions
• Take initiative
• Assert yourself
• Take your position seriously, whether paid or unpaid
• Complete menial tasks quickly and ask for more challenging work
• Ensure that all work assignments are accurate and completed in a timely manner
• Try to schedule regular meetings with your supervisor
• Be open to learning new skills
• Send a thank-you letter to your supervisor at the end of your experience
• Keep in touch with coworkers and include them in your professional network
• Remember you are representing the company whether you are at work or not, so act like it

DON'T

• Say no to assignments
• Be late or absent from work
• Do homework on the job
• Make personal telephone calls, email, text
• Wait for someone to give you assignments
• Gossip
• Pass up an opportunity to have other on-the-job experiences that will allow you to learn more about the company or industry
• Be afraid to ask questions
• Burn any bridges, even if your experience was not the best
• Log into Facebook or MySpace while on the job
• Chew gum
• Say "that's not my job"

Let's See What You Have Learned About Internships

If you are enrolled in a class that requires you to complete this quiz, please be sure to enter your name and the class (ex. EN101) and click on the submit button that appears on the final page of this tutorial.

Contact Career Services

Career Services assistance is available free of charge to all Bellevue University students and alumni for any of the following:

Resume preparation

Job/internship search strategies

Interview preparation

Networking guidance

Contact us at:

Learning Commons, Freeman Lozier Library, Main Campus

CareerServices@Bellevue.edu

402-557-7423 or 800-756-7920 ext. 7423