What Do You Want For an Internship

Take time to reflect and assess your current situation.

Understand yourself and your goals...

"Why do I want an internship?”

Answering these questions will:

• Help to focus your search

• Help to articulate your learning objectives to potential employers

• Help you to think about your long term goals for your career

Assess Yourself to Better Direct Your Search

• Personal Interests: What do you enjoy doing? What issues are you passionate about?

• Academic Interests: What do you most desire to learn or experience?

• Career or Grad School Goals: What do you see yourself doing for the near future?

• Work Values: What is important to you? What rewards do you seek?

• Personal Abilities: What skills and abilities do you have to offer? What skills do you want to develop or enhance?

Explore opportunities...

Do you have a basic awareness of opportunities in a given profession?

• Do you understand what career opportunities are available in a given field?

• What competencies/skills/knowledge are most desired?

• What might a typical path look like in your field?

• What issues are likely to affect the future of this profession?

To help you answer these questions:

• Conduct an Informational Interview(s)

• Review Professional Journals

• Conduct Web or Library research

Gather more information by checking out these resources...

• http://www.myplan.com/

• What can I do with a major In?

• ohiomeansjobs.com/

• https://csuohio-csm.symplicity.com/

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/

• www.indeed.com

• www.noche.neointern

• http://www.internships.com/

• http://www.internmatch.com/

• Career Services Staff

• Conferences

• Faculty Professional Associations/ Chapters

• Peers (current /previous interns)

• Previous supervisors

Narrow down your choices...

What criteria do you have for selecting an Internship? Consider the following:

• Type of Experience

• Organizational Mission

• Geographic Location

• Pay

• Reputation

• Product

• Academic Credit

• Timing or # of Hours per week

After research evaluate...

• Develop a list of 10-30 target organizations

• Review in light of your goals and criteria

• Do you meet the organizational requirements (class year, major, skills)?

Now here are some steps in securing an internship:

Get organized...

• Organize a spreadsheet, binder or folder specifically for your search

• Establish a record–keeping method

• Dedicate time and space to your search everyday

• Create a professional outgoing message on your cell phone

• Refine your On-line identity

Compile basic tools...

• Resume ~ you may need more than one!

• Create a LinkedIn profile

• Develop a cover letter with customized paragraphs for each position

Prepare for the interview...

• Develop an "elevator speech”. The answer to the question "Tell me about yourself."

• Review tips & potential common interview questions

• Conduct a mock interview with Career Services

• Develop a list of questions to ask the employer based on research

• Identify appropriate clothing

Follow-up...

• Write a thank you note after an interview within 24 hours

• Be persistent with calls, emails but don't stalk

• Broaden your search as needed