GETTING AN GETTING AN INTERNSHIP

Patricia V. Acosta Career Counselor

National Association of Colleges and National Association of Colleges and EmployersEmployers

2010 Statistics2010 Statistics

Conversion to full-time hiresConversion to full-time hires• 53% of interns 53% of interns • 60% of co-ops 60% of co-ops

Internship Programs Internship Programs • 83% designed to recruit 83% designed to recruit

entry-level employeesentry-level employees

Dedicated to the employment of the college educated.

Experiential LearningExperiential Learning

Co-opsCo-ops BU Internships Undergraduate ResearchUndergraduate Research Study AbroadStudy Abroad VolunteeringVolunteering Student ActivitiesStudent Activities Part-time JobPart-time Job Job ShadowingJob Shadowing

WHATWHAT is an Internship?is an Internship?

• Structured, supervised work experience Structured, supervised work experience

– You will be exposed to a professional environment.You will be exposed to a professional environment.

• Opportunity to sharpen industry knowledgeOpportunity to sharpen industry knowledge

– It can be a vehicle to develop workplace It can be a vehicle to develop workplace

competencies.competencies.

• A place to transform academic knowledge into skillsA place to transform academic knowledge into skills

– Be sure to set goals and reflect on the experience.Be sure to set goals and reflect on the experience.

Internships are typically 10-40 hours per week, Internships are typically 10-40 hours per week, 60-200 hours, and can last a few weeks to a few months.60-200 hours, and can last a few weeks to a few months.

WHEREWHERE can I Do an can I Do an Internship?Internship?

businesses businesses government agencies government agencies educational institutions educational institutions social service agencies social service agencies media corporationsmedia corporations

Anywhere! Anywhere!

NYC, DC, the WORLD, or here in BostonNYC, DC, the WORLD, or here in Boston

Museum of Science Museum of Fine Art

WHEREWHERE can I intern?can I intern?

WHENWHEN can I Do an Internship?can I Do an Internship?

• ANYTIME… Fall, Spring, or ANYTIME… Fall, Spring, or SummerSummer

• Begin preparation at least one Begin preparation at least one semester before the internshipsemester before the internship

• Some employers may require Some employers may require junior or senior standing or a junior or senior standing or a minimum GPAminimum GPA

WHAT’s WHAT’s in it for the in it for the Employer?Employer?

• Development of supervisory skillsDevelopment of supervisory skills– Management training for current Management training for current

employeesemployees

• Pool of potential full-time employeesPool of potential full-time employees– Lower financial investment for hiringLower financial investment for hiring

• Fresh perspective for projectsFresh perspective for projects– Enthusiastic and motivated workers Enthusiastic and motivated workers

WHYWHY should I do an Internship? should I do an Internship?

• To gain “real-world” exposure to an industryTo gain “real-world” exposure to an industry

• To explore what you can do with your major, To explore what you can do with your major, skills, and interestsskills, and interests

• Test drive your career choices and optionsTest drive your career choices and options

• Develop professional contactsDevelop professional contacts

OUTCOMES OUTCOMES

Learn directly from Learn directly from experienced experienced professionals.professionals.

Strengthen your resume Strengthen your resume with practical experience.with practical experience.

Get the competitive edge Get the competitive edge with potential employers. with potential employers.

Interns get Interns get Hired!Hired!

According to NACE, 44.6% of 2009 hires came from internship programs. 

Market yourself!Market yourself! Reflect on how Reflect on how youyou will be effectivewill be effective

in this type of position in this type of position

Consider how you can Consider how you can applyapply the skills the skills you already haveyou already have

Take inventory of how the Take inventory of how the required required skills skills and qualitiesand qualities relate to relate to youryour skills and qualitiesskills and qualities

HOW HOW do I find an Internship?do I find an Internship?

3-Step3-Step Process Process to landing the perfect job or to landing the perfect job or

internshipinternshipStep 1 Step 1 Self-Assessment

Know Yourself

Step 2 Step 2 Exploration Discover Your Options

Step 3 Step 3 Implementation Develop the Strategies To Get There

HOW HOW do I land an Internship?do I land an Internship?

Remember you are a student, this is part of your education and learning process

To effectively market yourself, you must be able to discuss yourself, both on paper and in person, in a positive, comfortable manner

You will need: Cover Letter Resume Interview Preparation

Craft aCraft a Cover LetterCover Letter•R

elate your experience to the specific job

•Customize each cover letter for each job

•Goal: Convince the employer you are worth consideration

Use aUse a ResumeResume•R

esumes include your education, experience, and accomplishments

•Showcase your skills

•Goal: Convince the employer you are worth interviewing

Prepare for anPrepare for an Interview Interview

• Getting hired is a long process

• Initial screening

• Multiple interviews / interviewers

• Questions to ask

• Thank You Note

• References and perhaps an offer

Develop your Develop your NetworkNetwork

Career Advisory Network (CAN) Comprised of over 5,000 BU alumni

For information and networking only

Do not ask for a job BU Alumni website

(login & password required)

TipsTips for Successfor Success Frequently check BU CareerLink for opportunities

NETWORK to find the hidden job market

Attend Spring Career Expo for “face-time” with

employers

Join a professional organization related to your field

Talk to your professors, your parents, your friends,

their

parents, alums, everyone you meet

Follow the things that interest you

Internship Internship ResourcesResources

• Internship Book

Suggestions

• Internship Websites

• Vault

• NACE Internship Guides

• Business Week

• Hoovers

BUBU Center for Career Center for Career Development (CCD)Development (CCD)

LocationLocation19 Deerfield Street in Kenmore Square (next to the Post 19 Deerfield Street in Kenmore Square (next to the Post

Office)Office)

Regular Office HoursRegular Office HoursSeptember–May:September–May:Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m. Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Summer HoursSummer HoursJune–August:June–August:Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.mMonday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m

BU CCD BU CCD RESOURCESRESOURCES

• BU CareerLink BU CareerLink • Counseling AppointmentsCounseling Appointments• Resume & Cover Letter AssistanceResume & Cover Letter Assistance• Career/Personality AssessmentCareer/Personality Assessment• Career Exploration Group (CEG)Career Exploration Group (CEG)• Career Resource LibraryCareer Resource Library• On-Campus InterviewingOn-Campus Interviewing• Employer Information SessionsEmployer Information Sessions• Career Advisory Network (CANCareer Advisory Network (CAN))