INTERNSHIP BASICS

STUDENTS
You've been told how important having an internship is to finding post-graduate success. Now find out what the experience will really be like as we answer some of the most common questions students have about the process and provide insight on what to expect.

• • What is an internship
  • - Internships allow you to gain career related experience outside of the classroom while exploring your interests, passions, and abilities. A variety of internship options are available including ones taken for academic credit, for pay, and during the fall, spring, or summer semester. Loyola
  • - An internship is a monitored work experience that allows a student to engage in academic learning while developing their skills set and learning more about their career path. Goucher

   

• What to expect from an internship
  
• - Be an active participant in your internship and make sure you ask questions! This way you can ensure you are completing tasks correctly and also gives you a chance to learn more about the duties involved in that particular line of work. Loyola
• - Keep a record of your daily activities and things you learn during your internship. This will help when reflecting back on the internship or for assessment of the experience at the end of the semester. Loyola
• - Mentorship and Feedback
• - To be able to apply what you've learned in the classroom to the real-world work environment. Loyola
• - This should be a professional experience, so you're workload should contain no more than 20% clerical or administrative duties.
• - Minimum 100-150 hours a semester
• - Paid or unpaid
• - Credit earned concurrently; no retroactive credit (Towson)

• Why get an internship?
• - Gain valuable work experience in your major, which will make you a more attractive candidate for future employment
• - Earn academic credit
• - Apply classroom knowledge in a realistic work environment
• - Build a strong resume
• - Develop a network of contacts in your chosen career field for future opportunities and references
• - Test your skills and interest
• - Solidify your career goals
• - Earn compensation
• - Secure a job before graduation (UMBC)
• - Practical "hands-on" experience
• - Assistance in selection of career direction
• - Increased self-awareness or confidence
• - Enhanced skill development
• - Potential future employment with internship site
• - Professional contact/networking (Goucher)
• - Establish connections between theory & practice
• - Earn credits toward graduation (varies by major)
• - Confirm or change career choices
• - Make contacts in you chosen field/networking opportunities
• - Develop professional knowledge and skills; gain hands-on experience (Towson)
• - Further enhance your skill set and develop new skills
• - Confirm whether or not this career path is what you want. (Loyola)
• - Gain an understanding of the qualifications and skills needed to succeed in the profession
• - Explore a career field of interest and partake in some day-to-day duties.
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• Preparing for job search
• - For resumes and cover letters
• § Proofread your documents and make sure they are error-free
• § Include how your skills relate to the position
• § Visit the Career Center for a critique
• § Keep length of each document to 1 page (Loyola)

- Use action words when describing your qualifications (UMBC non-shriver)

• - Interview
• - Arrange and go on interviews with employers
• § Practice driving to the location and allow time for traffic and parking
• § Exhibit professional dress and demeanor
• § Take professional copy of your resume
• § Take copy of portfolio if applicable/appropriate
• § Arrive about 10 minutes early
• - Send cover letter and resume directly to employers
• - Respond promptly to all employers who call to arrange interviews. Follow up by phone with all employers who do not call you within 2-4 business days (Towson)

 

• - Contacting Sites:
• § Practice pronouncing the contact person's name correctly
• § Keep a resume copy with you to refer to details about your skills and experience
• § Select a quiet time and area to place the call so you can sound professional
• § Practice what you will say and how you will project enthusiasm
• - Place the Call
• § Identify yourself and ask for the internship contact person
• § Repeat you introduction to the contact person and state your interest
• § Determine if intern applications are still being accepted; if desired position is not available ask about other opportunities

 

• - Before the interview
• § Research the organization
• § Confirm directions to location
• § Make sure your interview attire is clean and pressed
• § Review the job description and your resume
• § Prepare your 60 second commercial
• § Prepare a list of 2-3 questions (Loyola)

 

• - Day of Interview
• § Arrive Early (10-15) minutes
• § Dress professionally
• § Come prepared with:
• Extra copies of resume
• Pen and paper
• Reference List
• § Be a good listener
• § Be sure to sell yourself, your skills, and your interest in the internship
• § Answer questions accurately and honestly
• § Use good grammar and language (no slang!)
• § Pay attention to your body language (Loyola)

 

• - After the interview
• § Send a Thank-you note
• § Follow up with the employer as specified in the timeline to check the status of your application (Loyola)

 

• - Cover Letter
• - Cover Letters serve as an introduction to your resume. This is your opportunity to get the employer excited to learn about you and your resume. UMBC non-shriver
• § The cover letter allows you to get specific and target the information of your resume to each individual employer. UMBC non-shriver
• § Your cover letter is not your resume, so make sure they're different. Don't just restate everything that's in your resume, focus on the details that are key for this particular position. UMBC (non-shriver)
• § Try to sell yourself. You haven't gotten the job yet, so you need to prove to the company why you are the best employee for them, not why they are the best company for you. UMBC (non-shriver)

- (Can network at the internship as well) Talk with other staff members to learn more about the company and the profession. (Loyola)

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• What employers are looking for/what makes a good intern
• - Establish 2-3 learning objectives; set parameters and goals and discuss them with your supervisor. (towson)
• - Show initiative; ask, don't wait for projects to be given to you. Avoid being underused!
• - Be proactive. If the work isn't meeting your goals make sure you let your coordinator know. This is supposed to be a beneficial experience so you have a right to be challenged. (Towson)Speak up if the work is not meeting your goals
• - Do your best to impress. You should do what you can to exceed expectations. The people you impress now can serve as great references later, and who knows, if you do your best they might just offer you a job to stay. (Towson)
• - Demonstrate maturity and exceed your supervisor's expectations. Towson
• - You are a professional - so be on time, look presentable, and be professional!

• Networking

• - Make the most of meetings and social events. These are great opportunities to learn more about the company you are working for and to also get a realistic feel for what it's like to be an employee there.
• - Use your Mentor - The mentor is there to help guide you through the company and can be a great resource for answers and to make connections with others. (Plus, they can be a valuable resource later as a reference.)