How to: Getting Your Ideal Internship

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WHERE TO FIND THE BEST OPPORTUNITIES+HOW TO TURN AN INTERNSHIP INTO A JOB OFFER +PROFILES OF REAL INTERNS AT WORK

GETTING YOURIDEAL INTERNSHIP

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6thedition

INSIDER

GUIDEGetting YourIdeal Internship

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Getting Your Ideal Internship

WETFEET

1518 Walnut St.

Suite 1800

Philadelphia, PA 19102

Phone: (215) 546-4900

Fax: (215) 546-9921Website: www.wetfeet.com

GETTING YOUR IDEAL INTERNSHIP

6TH Edition

ISBN: 978-1-58207-985-1

PHOTOCOPYING IS PROHIBITED

Copyright 2012 WetFeet. All rights reserved. This publication is protected by the copyright laws

of the United States of America. No copying in any form is permitted. It may not be reproduced,

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warranty, express or implied, about the accuracy or reliability of the information found herein. To

the degree you use this guide or other materials referenced herein, you do so at your own risk. The

materials contained herein are general in nature and may not apply to particular factual or legal

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creation, production or delivery of this guide be liable to you or any other person for damages of any

kind arising from access to, or use of, its content.

All illustrations by mckibillo



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CHAPTER

3211 INTERNSHIPS:THE BIG

PICTURE

2 Overview

2 Benefits ofInternships

3 Why They

Want You

5 THE SEARCH

6 Types of

Internships

7 The Scoop on

Unpaid Internships

9 Sources for

Internship Leads

10 Identifying Your

Ideal Internship

11 Internships Abroad

13 Timing the Search

15 GETTING HIRED

16 The Recruiting

Process

17 What Employers

Want

18 Timeline: Landing

an Internship

19 Getting Your

Act Together

19 Interviewing 101

Getting Your Ideal Internship6thedition



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423 NAVIGATINGYOUR INTERNSHIP

24 Hitting the

Ground Running

25 Acting Like a Pro

27 Making the Most

of Your Internship

29 Timeline:

Your Internship

535 REAL INTERNPROFILES

36Architecture Intern

36 Magazine EditorialIntern

37MBA Intern with a

Software Startup

38MBA Brand

Management Intern

39 Advertising Intern

40 IT Intern

40 Intern for a

Consumer Appliance

Manufacturer

contents

643 FOR YOURREFERENCE

44Recommended

Resources



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Internships:

The Big Picture

1Overview .......................................2

Benefits of Internships ..................2

Whyey Want You .....................3



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OVERVIEW AN INTERNSHIP CAN be one of the most effec-tive tools for success in the business worlda vehicle

to take you from where you are to where you want to

go.is is true whether youre an undergrad taking the

first steps in exploring your options, a graduate student

with a clear idea of your career goals, or even an experi-

enced professional aiming to change careers.Internships give you new skills, provide memorable

experiences and measurable accomplishments, and let

you make valuable professional connections.

But be aware: Generally speaking, getting an

internship is not a way to make a living. Many interns

arent paid. e idea is that the chance to beef up your

resume while doing valuable work in a real-world set-

ting should be its own reward. Still, compensation

policies will vary by industry, with the more glamor-ous industries paying the least, if anything. If youre

aiming for an internship in entertainment, sports,

advertising, or journalism, expect to work for free.

Also, take into account your level of experience.e

wider the gap in experience between you and a true

industry professional, the more willing you should be

to work without pay. Its possible to start for free, then

request a review along the road to evaluate whether

you should be paid. Some internships may qualify asindependent study, gaining you academic credits.

e availability of internships is less affected by

fluctuations in the economy than you might think.

eres good business sense (some might even say

cynicism) behind this: When a rough economy forces

a company to cut back on its full-time employees,

interns can sometimes fill the gap. e internship is a

short commitment, and doesnt affect the companys

headcount. Also, some industries simply dont have

the funds to function without interns.

BENEFITS OFINTERNSHIPS THE EXPERIENCE YOU add to your resume asthe result of a well-chosen internship will give you an

advantage over your peers. Internships are a means

of inside access; they connect you to the networks of

people who influence hiring. Getting an internship isnot a guarantee of a full-time position, but it certainly

increases your chances. And in some industriesfor

instance, finance and accountingcompanies hire

almost exclusively out of internship programs.

SKILL BUILDINGEven if your internship doesnt result in a job at the

company, it will still help you build marketable skills.

e fieldwork is a chance to hone your communication

skills, learn how to work as part of a team, take owner-

ship of projects, and figure out how to take initiative.

INDUSTRY EXPOSUREe knowledge youll acquire in an internship will

be firsthand. Sure, you can find out about industry

trends, key players, and company performance on the

Internet. But that cant compare to what youll learn

working alongside the pros. Why was Product X intro-

duced? Why did they change the marketing strategy

for Service Y? Of all the competitors a company has,

which is the one that poses the biggest threat? As

an intern, youll gain insights you couldnt possibly

obtain by research alone.

INSIDER SCOOPOur internship program is a key tool for identifyingour future consultants.

TIP>

By the time they graduate from college, manyof your peers have already taken advantage

of internships to develop their careersandyoull be competing against them for jobs.



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NETWORKING, MENTORING,AND REFERENCESHow many times have you heard, Its who you know?

Your supervisors, coworkers, and fellow interns likely

all have connections to the hidden job market.

Ask thoughtful questions and reveal your interests.

Establish a positive relationship with your supervisor,

and ensure you receive evaluations during and at theend of your tenure. Even if your ties to the organiza-

tion dont guarantee a full-time job, they can be a valu-

able source of recommendations or references for your

next career move.

ACADEMIC CREDITMany schools offer academic credit for approved

internships in your area of study. Generally, to receive

credit, you must get prior approval. Check with youracademic advisers about credit requirements. Eligibility

may depend on such factors as the duration of the

internship, the nature of the projects, supervision, and

evaluations.

WHY THEYWANT YOU INTERNS PERFORM REALwork for companies.ey can provide useful extra hands on special proj-

ects. Moreover, an internship program can help a com-

pany build goodwill in the business and educational

communities. And for corporations, the real value of

internships comes as an extension of the recruiting

process. Internships provide us the best opportunity

to make full-time hiring decisions regarding students,

says one senior marketing director. We get to see how

they perform on the job for 10 to 12 weeks doing real

work. Its the surest way of finding out if theres a good

fit between us and the student.

Employers sometimes use interns to test the super-

visory skills of management candidates within the

company. Coaching, mentoring, training, and delegat-

ing are all interpersonal managerial skills employees

need to develop to gain promotions. Some companies

even ask interns if their supervisors are doing a good

job in training them.

TIP>

While youre gleaning inside informationabout the nature of the work, future projects,and areas of growth, youre also letting yourcolleagues see firsthand the quality of yourwork and your enthusiasm. The contacts youmake may help you land a permanent position.

INSIDER SCOOPWe like to hire people whove already worked at

the company. Its a matter of try before you buy.



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The Search

2Types of Internships ......................6

e Scoop on

Unpaid Internships .......................7

Sources for Internship Leads .........9

Identifying YourIdeal Internship ...........................10

Internships Abroad.......................11

Timing the Search .......................13



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TYPES OFINTERNSHIPS THIS GUIDE USES the term internship to cover anyexperiential learning opportunity: a position, paid or

unpaid, developed for people who are in a school pro-

gram (undergraduate or postgraduate), have recently

left college, or who have professional experience but areaiming to change careers.

SUMMER INTERNSHIPSis is the most common type of internship, bring-

ing students on board during their summer vacations.

Some companies may hire interns for a quarter or a

semester during the school year. ese positions are

labeled according to the academic period involved, such

as fall intern or winter quarter intern.

SUMMER ASSOCIATE PROGRAMIf you have an internship in the legal, banking, or

strategy consulting fields, particularly if youre in law

school or getting an MBA, youre likely to have the

title summer associate. ese firms, even more than

other employers, look for new full-time associates from

within the ranks of their interns.e title itself is some-

thing of a marketing tool used to attract candidates,implying that summer associateis the step before associ-

ate. In some MBA disciplines, you cant get a diploma

without having served as a summer associate between

your first and second years.

In the banking industry, the title summer associate

has supplanted junior associatein corporate publications

and recruiting materials. However, the latter title is still

used in the everyday language of partners and executives.

In law firms, a summer associate is typically a studentbetween the second and third year of law school.

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION (CO-OP)A co-op is an employer-sponsored work program

that generally lasts longer than a summer or a term.

Although internships are usually independent activi-

ties outside the schools purview, corporations will

often design co-ops in partnership with universities and

will be considered part of the educational experience.

Co-ops are usually paid.

Technology employers, such as engineering and

computer/IT companies, are the most likely to have

co-op programs. Career centers for engineering and

computer science are especially familiar with theseprograms. Longer-term co-ops generally involve the

student more fully in meaningful projects. Much like

an apprenticeship in many trades, a co-op position can

serve as an employers way of screening and training

future professionals.

OTHER ROUTES TOEXPERIENTIAL EDUCATIONTempingIf used shrewdly by a student, temporary agencies can

become a sort of paid internship. General temp agen-

cies typically offer standard office work, but special-ized staffing agencies fulfill requests for temporary

and permanent staff in particular fields. A number of

national as well as smaller regional staffing firms include

specialized divisions such as management/consulting,

accounting/finance, legal, technology, and creative/

marketing.

If no specialized staffing agency serves your area, you

can go with a general temp agency and request particu-

lar placements, such as with biotech companies or PRfirms.e agency may see you as picky, but try to make

it worth its while by developing an in-demand skill

expertise in website production, as an examplefor

which it has a hard time fulfilling orders.

TIP>

Develop a solid command of the industry and

the employer to demonstrate your knowl-edge and your desire to work with your targetcompanies.



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Making Your Own InternshipWhat if the organization youre targeting doesnt have

an internship program? You can still try to work there

by pitching a project of your own devising. is is an

especially good tactic with smaller companies and start-

ups. eyre likely to have the flexibility to be open to

your project ideas. Research the company; find ways its

activities dovetail with your own interests and career

goals. Find someone in the department where youd like

to work. Discuss some of your own strengths as a way

of kick-starting ideas. You could find a way of helping

the company while furthering your professional goals.

Some companies do have formal programs at national

or regional headquartersbut that doesnt mean you

cant target a branch office for project work. If these com-

panies try to redirect you to their conventional recruit-

ing pipelines, emphasize you want to create a uniqueexperience and youd prefer to take less compensation in

return for having more control over your work.

THE SCOOPON UNPAIDINTERNSHIPS WORKING FOR FREE may sound like a raw deal.e unfortunate reality is that many internships come

with no paycheck attached, and that may leave you feel-

ing a bit exploited. Volunteering at a nonprofit is one

thing, but being taken advantage of by a moneymaking

enterprise is quite another. Although theres no deny-

ing the financial difficulty presented by a summer or

semester of unpaid work, in many cases the internship

will provide a value that goes well beyond dollars and

cents. e experience may be its own reward. So could

the ability to add an elite name to your resume and the

opportunity to rub elbows with industry power players.Before you talk yourself out of an unpaid internship,

consider the following:

Fear: Id be better offmaking money at a regular summer

job.

Reality: Internships are a perfect way to test-drive a job

or industry before graduation. Love writing for your

universitys newspaper, but wonder whether a profes-sional newsroom is the place for you? An internship

provides a glimpse of what its like to work in the indus-

try. Whether you end up loving or hating it, what you

learn from the experience will shape your post-college

job search.

Fear:Im going to end up stuffing envelopes and fetching

lattes every day.

Reality: Ultimately, its not the tasks that count; its

whom youre doing them for. Connections are currency.

Even gofer work can create a positive impression on

people who will be in a position to hire you down the

road. By answering calls or running errands for a VP,

youll be meeting the people they meet. Make sure to

SELF-MADE INTERNSHIPS

t$ISJTBTUVEFOUat the Universityof Texas at Austin,contacted an alum-nus who had justtaken a job in Nikeschildrens appareldivision. Chris haddone some researchon this market andanalyzed keycompetitors. Heshared his percep-tions with the

alumnus, who wasimpressed with hisinitiative and insight.The alumnus talkedChris up with hiscolleagues andhelped him land asummer internship.

t.JDIBFMDPOUBDUFECapital Sports &Entertainment(CSE), the agencythat representsLance Armstrong. Heproposed a num-ber of ideas thatcould help the firmgenerate revenue.His enthusiasm andfollow-through ledto a summer intern-ship, and CSE was

so impressed withhis work that it kepthim as a part-timeemployee during hisfinal year in school.After graduation, CSEasked him to join thefirm full time.



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Fear:eyll stick me in a broom closet and forget

about me.

Reality: In many cases, the reason a company willengage interns is that theres real work to be done. If you

cant be sure this is the case, lay the groundwork for a

productive internship from the get-go. An educational

plan is a must, because it will set the benchmark for the

skills and enrichment you want to acquire. In addition

to those goals, arrange for weekly feedback sessions with

your manageras little as 20 minutes a week will do.

ese sessions will help you gauge where you need to

develop professionally, make sure youre workload isappropriate, and allow you to seek out new, interesting

projects.

take advantage of your insider statusdont be afraid to

offer to buy a cup of coffee for senior employees.

Fear:eyll take advantage of my hunger for experience.

Reality: Not if youve done your research beforehand.

Identify the companies you hope to work for, then

research each one. Does a company have a good repu-

tation within the community? Does its website explain

the internship in any detail? Try to contact the person

in charge of the internship program to ask about the

structure of the program and the types of activities

youll do. Visit your schools career services officeit

might be able to help you connect with students or

alums whove interned at the same place. e more

you know about the internship, the better youll be

able to gauge what lies ahead.

Fear: Without a paycheck, I wont have anything to show

for the time I spent there.

Reality: If youre doing an internship for academic

credit, your school will play a role in ensuring your

tasks will meet clear requirements for learning and

enrichment. However, if youre setting up an intern-

ship on your own, be sure to ask probing questions inyour interview about the sorts of tasks youll be given,

the projects youll be expected to complete, and whom

youll report to. Find out if youll have the chance to

spearhead an idea of your own and have the ability to

walk away from the experience with a tangible product

that represents your work.

INSIDER SCOOPYoure just as responsible for ensuring that the in-ternship is mutually beneficial as the employer is.

Find out if youll have thechance to spearhead an ideaof your own and have theability to walk away from

the experience with a tangibleproduct that represents yourwork.



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SOURCES FOR

INTERNSHIP LEADSPERSONAL RESOURCESYour friends, family, and school contacts might have

ideas and connections that can help you identify and

land that ideal internship:

FamilyMore solid opportunities come from contacts made

through family members than any other source.

FriendsUse them well, and find out if their families have con-

nections.

ProfessorsTreat any contact that comes from a professor like gold.He might have spent years cultivating it.

Career Centersey have vast usable contacts and opportunities. Keep

in mind, though, its a career centers job to help you get

a position, not to getit for you.

Alumnie alumni office and its website will usually provide the

means to search for alumni in your targeted industry.

GENERAL RESOURCESA wealth of internship-related information is available

from the following sources:

Job Fairs

ese offer opportunities to speak directly with com-pany representatives about current or future opportu-

nities. It helps to have a resume and a focused message

to make the most of the recruiters time. Check out the

WetFeet guide, Conquering the Career Fair, for more

information.

InternetJob and career websites and company websites all have

searchable databases. A job-posting site could offer hid-

den gemsalong with plenty of duds.

Trade Publicationsese often list internship programs, with contact

information and descriptive summaries.

Professional ConferencesMost have student rates; some let you attend for free in

exchange for one day of volunteering. Also, most con-

ferences have student receptions. Attend them to net-

work with peers and working professionals.

Company Websites

Many students overlook the career section of a com-panys website in favor of the big job-posting sites.

However, many company sites let you apply online.

Even better, get the name of a recruiter at the company

from your career center and personally follow up on

your online application.

Professional AssociationsIf theres a career youre interested in, theres a profes-

sional, dues-paying association for it. Most have studentrates. Contact the association to learn about intern-

ship opportunities. Local chapter meetings may present

opportunities to find out whos hiring.

NewsWhos hot and whos not? Keeping up on the news can

give you the inside scoop on why you should call a tar-

get company, and it can help you propose a study on

industry trends.



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IDENTIFYING YOURIDEAL INTERNSHIP THERE ARE SEVERAL options for identifyingand securing internships. Whether youre interviewing

through on-campus recruiting programs or using other

methods, you are ultimately your own headhunter.

Some companies with formal programs may not recruit

on your campus and others may not even have for-

mal programs, but you should still be looking at these

employers. In these cases, the path is similar to the on-

campus process, but you must initiate contact.

DIG DEEPYou would not buy a car without doing research on

it. Treat an internship the same way. Unfortunately,

theres no Consumer Reports for internships.

ecompanys website will offer a basic outline with a cer-

tain amount of hype; you certainly arent getting an

unbiased opinion.

Some assiduous digging can yield results. You

might get an idea of what to expect from a review on

Glassdoor.com, which provides an inside look at jobs

and companies, or a blog post. LinkedIn is a great

source for background checks, and so is your schools

alumni database. With a little bit of initiative youcan turn these resources into veritable Wikipedias of

information about internships. When you target a

specific company, use the sites search function to find

some recent interns within your network. When you

spot them, send friendly queries about their intern-

ing experiences. Did they work on important projects?

Did they receive on-the-job mentoring? What was the

workplace atmosphere like? If the answers are no,

no, and toxic and suffocating, move on to otheremployers.

FIND A MENTORA mentor can be an invaluable support in your intern-

ship search. rough your personal networkfriends,

family, previous jobsyou should find an experienced

person in you chosen field and cultivate the relation-

ship. A mentor, wise to the ways of the world and the

workplace, can help you realize your goals. She will have

ideas about which companies will make good targets for

your internship search. She also can serve as an example

of how success is achieved in your industry, set a bench-

mark for the skills youll need, and provide insight on

how to avoid the typical pitfalls.

SELF-ASSESSMENTBecause internships take many forms, you should ask

yourself some hard questions before beginning your

search.

1. Your objectives:

t What industry do you want to work in?

t What kind of role do you see yourself filling?

t Do you want to work part time or full time?

t Do you need to be paid? Do you have a minimum?t Do you want to work in a specific city?

t Do you want to work for an organization of a

specific size?

2. Your interests and abilities:

t What types of mental challenges do you enjoy?

YOUR HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT

Research is the singlemost important thingyou can do before anyinterview. With somany resources avail-ablethe Internet,

career centers, careerfairstheres noexcuse for beinguninformed. But themost critical part ofyour research will becontacting peoplewith experience inthe company and

within the field. Talkto alumni who haveworked for your pro-spective employer..FFUXJUIQFFSTwhove done intern-

ships in the sametarget functionalarea or industry.Theyll help you pickup the lingo and giveyou a clear, insight-ful understanding ofthe industry and thecompany itself.



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t How well do you communicate in writing and in

person? Get an honest opinion from someone with

good communications skills.

t Do you prefer to research and analyze or discover

and create?

3. Your personality:

t Do you prefer to work alone or on a team?

t Can you sit at a desk for hours and remain productive

or do you have to move around to stay energized?

t Do you prefer working with a lot of direction and

limited flexibility or are you more comfortable with

open-ended assignments that require you to be a

self-starter?

INTERNSHIPSABROAD YOUR INTERNSHIP SEARCH could be a greatopportunity to find work overseas. In fact, work pro-

grams are becoming more prevalent as alternatives to

traditional foreign study. From a summer analyst posi-

tion at a Brazilian investment bank to an environmental

conservation internship with a Bangladeshi nonprofit,

opportunities for interning in a foreign land are attain-able.

Be aware that most countries demand work permits

for paid internships and other kinds of short-term

employment; you have to get these in the U.S. before

heading abroad. e process may be easier if youre

working for a U.S. company with overseas offices.

U.S.-based programs offering international work

exchanges or structured volunteer positions will usually

provide participants with the appropriate papers.

e key prerequisite to gaining an internship

abroad is a willingness to step out of your comfort

zone. Youll be encountering new cultures and new

languages. You may be headed to a place that lacks

the living amenities you take for granted. An overseas

internship can be a real test of your flexibility and

maturity. But the cultural skills you acquire can give

a distinct boost to your career prospects. Companies

are desperately seeking people who have cross-cultural

competency, says Paula Caligiuri, the author ofGet a

Life, Not a Job.

e experience wont simply strengthen your

chances of working overseas; it can help you land a job

domestically. Business is a global proposition, whichmakes cultural competency a highly valued quality.

In the words of one university career-services office,

College grads who understand that their customers or

their clients might come from a different background

than their own have an important skill set.

TAKE INVENTORYWhen youre trying to identify internship opportunities

abroad, start by considering your motives. Do you seethis experience as a way to hone specific work-related

skills, or more as a cultural immersion? Consider your

level of comfort with risk. Would you be okay going to

a country where you dont know the language? Are you

willing to work in a third-world country or one where

women dont enjoy equal rights?

By fleshing out your objectives, you should be

able to narrow your search to two or three countries.

Further, consider the feasibility of each: Do you have

INSIDER SCOOPEven before I applied for the internship inBangalore, I got grilled by people in my universitysco-op office. They wanted to make sure that I couldhandle the adversity of India, and the fact thatId be one of only two or three Americans in thecompany.

INSIDER SCOOPi8IFUIFSZPVSFJO.VNCBJPS4BO+VBOJUIFMQTUPhave people on the ground.



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friends or family living abroad? Do you have back-

ground knowledge of a specific country through your

studies? Is there a special skill you can hone only in one

particular country or region?

Use your schools career center to narrow down

your overseas choices. Find out what prerequisites the

internships demand. Are there any applicable grants

or school-sponsored placement programs? Your school

may subscribe to valuable Web-based references such

as Going Global (www.goinglobal.com) or Uniworld

(www.uniworldbp.com), offering comprehensive job

listings and guides to individual countries, along with

lists of top employers and visa regulations.

Dont hesitate to tap into the powerful network-

ing potential of your academic community. Contact

professors who have worked or done research in your

target country. Identify alumni who live there, andsee if the career center can provide names of students

who have recently interned there.

In many cases, the right contact is within reach

but out of sight. For example, theres a good chance

the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has an association

devoted to the economic interests of your target

country. For instance, the American Chamber of

Commerce of Argentina provides job listings and a

place to post your resume or CV. Also, the American-Argentine Chamber of Commerce, located in the

U.S., provides similar listings, including committee

members (perfect points of contact) and country

data. Because organizations like these make it their

missions to promote trade and investment, youll find

theyre eager to help.

You might consider using a for-profit placement

program to help you find your overseas internship.

Sure, youll be spending money, but consideringthe time youll save in research and arrangements,

the fee may be worth it. Still, find out something

about the outfits reputation before laying down

your hard-earned cash. And make sure its offering

the kind of experience youre aiming fornot a glo-

rified field trip.

MAKE IT COUNTForeign firms may have a different idea of what the

word intern means than a domestic employer would.

To ensure an enriching experience, you should get

the job description, development plan, and the

employers expectations on paper before you set sail.

If you work for an American firm abroad, youre

more likely to go through a classic internship. Youllalso find yourself on a clearer path to a full-time job

with the company. On the downside, you may get

less experience of the country itself than if you were

working for a foreign firmyoull be more immersed

in corporate culture than local culture. A career-

services pro says, You can live and work in another

INSIDER SCOOPWhen I spent a semester interning in Greece, theyhonestly didnt know what to do with me. Theywere almost afraid to delegate their work.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

If youre a foreignnational studying inthe U.S., your intern-ship possibilities maybe limited. Of course,

you will need theproper work permits.(Information ondifferent types ofeducational and workvisas is available at+7JTB&YDIBOHF7JTJUPS1SPHSBNBgovernment website:http://j1visa.state.gov/) Be aware thatsome employers

have a policy against

sponsoring inter-national studentsfor permanent workauthorization, sothose employers are

unlikely to hire inter-national students asinterns. If your uni-versity arranges co-opprograms, you maybe in luck: Becauseco-ops are part ofthe curriculum, theschool might handlethe task of obtainingthe necessary papersfor foreign students.



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tIt promises quickmoney and lots ofit. If it sounds toogood to be trueitis.

t Its a small organi-zation you cant findin the Yellow Pages.

t The employer adver-tises its intern-ships on flyers allover campus.

t Its a sales-relatedjob and the pay

is based oncommission.

t The employerdoesnt inquireabout yourexperience, back-ground, or career

interests to see ifyoure a good fit forthe position.

tYou get vagueanswers to your

questions about thework youd be doing.

tThe offices are ina questionablelocation, such as awarehouse area or apersons home.

t The employerdoesnt ask youto complete a jobapplication beforemaking you an offer.

tYour instincts aretelling you to getout as fast as youcan!

Not all internships are created equal. Somepositions that might look like internshipsare really just part-time temp jobs availableto almost anyone. They may even be unchal-lenging busywork that an employer wouldrather not assign to staff. You might get paid

at this type of job, but chances are slim youllrack up good, resume-building experience.

Here are some tips for recognizing shadyinternships:

country and still be in a big bubble. But there are

ways to escape this trap. Have lunch outside rather

than in the company cafeteria. Make friends with

your non-American colleagues and invite them out

for drinks after work. Join a local club. e more

local you can get, the better.

TIMING THE SEARCH THERES NO HARDANDFAST schedule for theprocess of getting an internship, but you should expect

to take the following steps:

1. Decide what kind of internship you want and when

youll be able to start.

2. Learn about existing opportunities.

3. Put together your application package: resume,cover letter, references.

4. Chart deadlines for internships of interest: applica-

tion due dates, the start of formal recruiting.

5. Prepare for interviews through research.

6. Do interviews and follow-ups.

7. If your initial plans fall through, cast a wider net.

Each of these steps takes time. If youre unclear

about your career goals, you might need more timethan if you already know your functional area and tar-

get companies. But be sure to begin the process several

months before you hope to start an internship. is

means that the process of finding a summer internship

should begin in the fall for undergraduates; for graduate

students, it usually begins before the school year starts.



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Getting Hired

3e Recruiting Process ................16

What Employers Want ................ 17

Timeline: Landingan Internship...............................18

Getting Your Act Together ..........19

Interviewing 101 .........................19



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THE RECRUITINGPROCESS

RULES OF ENGAGEMENTAs you aim for that ideal internship, youll be compet-

ing with many other highly qualified candidates. Here

are some ways you can improve your odds:

Use Your Best ResourceCareer centers are your greatest ally in the recruiting

process. Take advantage of them. Check with your

career center to stay up to date with recruiting events,

sign up for newsletters, and visit its career resource site

regularly.

Gather Intelligencee number-one complaint among recruiters is studentslack of research. When you show up for an interview, you

should have a pretty good idea of the companys products

and operations. Use the news media, Web sources, and

any information your career center can provide.

Stay FocusedYou cantand shouldnt want toapply to every

internship you come across. Nor should you try to talkto every recruiter who shows up on campus. If youre

looking at a list of twenty five companies, choose the

top five. at focus will help you delve into each com-

pany and tailor your pitch to the particular opportu-

nity. Otherwise, youll be spreading yourself too thin.

Go into TrainingIf possible, schedule a mock interview at your schools

career center. Some centers will videotape the interviewso you can review your performance. Get your resume

critiqued and attend interview workshops.

Do LegworkDont sit around and wait for recruiters to come to you.

Find good contacts at the companypeople with a role

in internship hiring decisionsthrough your alumni

database, through LinkedIn, and through whatever per-

sonal contacts youve established. Email them, tell them

about yourself and your qualifications, and explain your

reasons for wanting this internship.

Make ContactIf you know a recruiter will be coming to campus or

attending a local career fair, initiate contact one week

prior. Perhaps the employer has a Facebook page or

LinkedIn profile. Become a friend or fan, and send

the company a message. Let the recruiter know youre

looking forward to meeting. Make yourself stand out

from the competition by showing a sincere interest inthe company. Dont forget to double-check your spell-

ing. And dont be a Facebook stalker: One message is

enough.

Be a Good SportIf you get a no at any point, take it gracefully. Sending

the representative a thank-you note is a good touch.

ON-CAMPUS RECRUITINGe classic internship recruiting process, in which

students work with the companies who scout on

campus, follows a general pattern.

1. Youll start by registering with the career office and

completing a profile that includes at least one ver-

sion of your resume.

2. Youll submit your resume to compete for inter-

view slots. On many campuses, this is known as the

resume drop.3. If a company has chosen you as a candidate, its rep-

resentatives will interview on campus.

4. If you make the cut, the next round of interviews

takes place at corporate offices.



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WHAT EMPLOYERSWANTAS AN ORGANIZATION screens candidates duringcareer fairs and interviews, its looking at three things:

ability, possibility, and fit:

1.Abilityis the sum of your past achievements, your

aptitude, and your skills.ese are the elements you

can offer an employer right offthe bat. Even though

employers will not expect a student to have a huge

amount of work experience, your grades will offer an

index of your ambition and your dedication to hard

work. Needless to say, all of this should be spelled

out on your resume.

2.Possibility is what you might become for the

employeryour potential. Your past projects may

offer a key to this; so may your aspirations and an

air of motivation. Your grades, of course, are also an

indication of what you can offer the company.

3.Fitis suitability, a knack for adapting to and inter-

nalizing the company culture. Can you work within

the system?

YOUR SKILL SETBesides the general characteristics detailed above,

recruiters are keeping an eye out for specific skills. Inyour resume, in your interaction with recruiters, and of

course during your interview, you should highlight the

following.

Communication SkillsPrepare a great cover letter for each employer. (Nothing

will sink your chances faster than a generic cover letter.)

Practice your responses to common interview questions

(Tell me about yourself. Why do you want to workfor us? How do you imagine your career path?).

Make your answers concise and informative.

IntegrityBe truthful in all your dealings with the organization.

Dont exaggerate your GPA; dont put false information

on your resume. And dont withhold information youll

have to reveal if you get the internship.

People SkillsDraw on your life experience to demonstrate you

can deal with people effectively and work on a team.

Nobody expects an internship candidate to be able to

draw on a wide range of work experiences. But did you

handle small children effectively as a babysitter? Did

you collaborate on the set design for a school play?

Technical Skillsese vary from industry to industry. But if youre look-

ing for an internship at an investment bank, you hadbetter be able to demonstrate your aptitude at financial

analysis. You wont have much of a shot at an IT intern-

ship if youve never taken a course in computer technol-

ogy. And if youre looking for a spot on a magazine, you

better have the clippings to argue for it.

InitiativeYour behavior during the recruiting process is a key to

demonstrate youre motivated. Dont expect the recruit-ers to hold your hand; show them through your actions

that youre a self-starter. You should provide examples,

from school or previous job experience, where you

volunteered for an important task or proposed a new

project.

Work EthicOffer examples of how your hard work helped you

accomplish a task. Make sure recruiters know aboutyour nonacademic achievements: Perhaps youre an

accomplished pianist, or a green belt in tae kwon

do. Volunteer work is a great indicator of your work

ethicif youre a Big Brother or Big Sister, dont hide it!



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TIMELINE: LANDINGAN INTERNSHIP YOU WANT TO start thinking about your intern-ship well in advanceas much as a year ahead. Heres

a rough idea of the various steps youll need to take and

when youll need to take them.

Spring/Summer (The Year Before)and Fall Semesterst Assess your interests; know your skills; set realistic

job goals; and develop a plan of action.

t Attend cover letter and job search workshops offered

by university career services centers.

t Prepare your resume.

t Check the job listings on your schools career cen-

ter website, preferably twice a week. New jobs and

internships are listed daily throughout the semester.

Note that companies have various deadlines for

applications.

t Attend job fairs and career symposiums to make

employer contacts, conduct informational inter-

views, and to pick up information about the organi-

zation. (Note that interviews may take place at job

fairs, in which case you should contact employers a

week to a month before to submit resumes.)t Research potential employers. Set up informational

interviews for your breaks. You can find potential

sources through your schools alumni database or

LinkedIn.

t Start applying for summer opportunities.

Fall Break, Thanksgiving, and Winter Breakt Start your networking in earnest. Let your family,

friends, relatives, former teachers and coaches knowyoure looking for summer opportunities.

t Attend on-campus employer information sessions.

t Identify and research local employers while home

during the break.

Spring Semestert Review the Fall Semester items listed above, not-

ing that some companies have earlier deadlines for

applications.

t Continue to check the job listings on the career

website, preferably twice a week...new jobs and

internships are listed daily throughout the semester.

t Apply for summer jobs or internships.

t After submitting an application, cover letter and

resume, call the employer to be sure your materi-

als arrived (allow sufficient time for applications to

get to their destinations before calling); ask if the

employer needs any further information from you.

t If the employer isnt coming to campus, schedule

an interview over spring break or whenever you can

arrange to meet; most employers will want to meet

with you before offering you a position.

t Always send a thank-you letter after each interview.

is is not only a courtesy, its a confirmation of

your sincere interest in the position.

BUZZ KILLERS

t A resume thatspoorly organized ordoesnt reflect theskills required forthe position

t A generic coverletter. If it usesphrases such asyour company orthis position, theyllsmell a rat.

t Poor grooming andsloppy attire

t Substandardwritten or oralcommunicationskills: Bad gram-mar and misspell-ings can sink yourchances.

t Bad manners

t Lack of enthusiasm

t Arrogance

t Timidity

Remember, the interviewing process isntdesigned just to find the right candidates;

it also screens out the wrong ones. Here aresome mistakes that can throw you out of therunning:



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GETTING YOURACT TOGETHER YOUR SELFPRESENTATION IS key to landingan internship. Dont approach the process haphazardly.

rough careful preparation, you can maximize your

appeal as a candidate and get a leg up on the competi-

tion. Here are some tips:

t Have your resume reviewed and reviewed and

reviewed againthe more eyes, the better. Take

advantage of any relevant workshops offered by your

college career center.

t Research the employer. Use newspapers, magazines,

and websites. Contact former and present employ-

ees, especially recent interns and graduates, and seek

out information.

t Practice, practice, practice. Conduct a mock inter-

view and videotape it if possible. en review the

tape and make notes about the things you did well

and the areas youd like to improve. College career

centers will usually offer interview workshops, mock

interviews and even video critiques.

t

Get feedbackfrom your peers about your conversa-tional style. If you come off sounding cockytone

it down. If you sound halting and unsure of yourself,

work on projecting confidence.

t Dress for the part. Company employees can give

you a sense of the dress code, but if anything, you

should err on the side of being too formal. e day

before an interview, lay out the clothes you plan to

wearyou dont want to find a missing button onyour shirt minutes before youre about to leave.

tApproach the interviewwith confidence. Recognize

the attributes that make you a good candidateand

own them.

INTERVIEWING 101 YOUVE MADE THE CUT; now is the criticaljuncture when you find yourself face-to-face with an

interviewer. Of course, youll know enough about the

companys culture to dress and conduct yourself like

a member of the firm. Here are some other essential

precepts to bear in mind. (For the specifics of conduct-

ing a great interview, consult one of WetFeetsAce YourInterviewguides.)

BE ENTHUSIASTICis is basic. Enthusiasm alone wont land you the

internship. But if you dont seem avid about the pros-

pect of getting the job, the employer will quickly pass

you overits that simple. And lip service isnt enough.

You may sayyoure enthusiastic about the prospect of

working for the company, but if you actapathetic or

bored, youre cooked. You should make your enthu-

siasm clear through attentive posture, an alert tone of

your voice, and a smile that says youre glad to be there.

Greet the interviewer warmly. Make eye contact, smile,

and offer a firm handshake. You should say something

like, Im delighted youre taking the time to meet me,

and Im really excited about this position and eager to

learn more about it. Let him know up front youreglad to have this opportunity.

A show of enthusiasm is vital. Inevitably, during the

internship itself therell be moments when your energy

flags, and employers know this. But if youre unenthu-

siastic at the startof the process, it bodes ill for your

future demeanor on the job.

EXUDE CONFIDENCE

To inspire an employers confidence in your abili-ties, youve got to demonstrate confidence in yourself.

During the nerve-wracking course of a job interview,

this may be easier said than done. But bear in mind the

basics of confident body language: Make frequent eye

contact with your interviewer. Speak up, but not too

fast. Dont fidget. Sit upright, but not rigidly.



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Most of all, come prepared to state your strengths.

Give concrete examples of how youve put them to

use. Dont overstate your accomplishments, but dont

downplay them either. Keep self-deprecating humor

to a minimum: It may be fine when youre with your

friends, but this is neither the time nor place for it.

If remaining confident is a struggle for you, give

yourself a pep talk before the interview. Better yet, enlist

an enthusiastic friend to give you one. Or, practice tech-niques for managing your nerves such as deep breathing

and visualizing success. If youre at ease, the interviewer

will be too.

KNOW YOUR LIMITSSome people spend the night before an interview bon-

ing up on company facts and figures as though cram-

ming for the test of their lives. But interviews arent oral

exams; they are an exchange between two people, who

may soon be coworkers, about shared professional inter-

ests. You do need to know something about the industry

and the organization, but youre not expected to knowit alljust enough to ask your interviewer informed

questions, to understand the questions your interviewer

asks, and to give reasonable answers. Your common

sense should prepare you to give sound answers to any

questions that may arise about how you would handle

a specific problem during your internship. e details

will emerge later, when you become part of the team.

Like any other conversation, an interview requires

give and take, so dont expect to dominate it. Give yourinterviewer a chance to contribute to the conversation.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERSe old saying, eres no such thing as a bad ques-

tion, does notpertain to the interview process. When

you ask the right questions in an interview, it shows

youre paying attention and youre truly interested in

the job and the company. But offer questions carefully.

You can kill yourself with a question if it shows a lack

of knowledge about the company, says an internship

hiring supervisor. Dont ask questions you could have

answered yourself by spending a few minutes on the

employers website.

A good question may resemble one of these:

t How does this internship fit into the largerorganization?

t What are some of the critical challenges in this

department?

t What management style can I expect?

t Can you describe the performance review process?

But as you research the company, other relevant

questions may spring to mind. If the opportunity pres-

ents itself, be sure to ask them.

RAPPORT IS VITALOnce recruiters are done interviewing a round of candi-

dates, the first thing they will ask each other is, What

did you think?eyll share their gut reactions. A can-

didate is either a fit or he isnt. Even if youre a leading

contender for the position on paper, your chances of

getting an off

er are slim if youve failed to build rapportwith the interviewer.

eres no foolproof way of turning your interviewer

into an ally. But here are some tactics that can put you

in a good light:

t When responding to a question, give a brief over-

view of the points you want to cover and clear them

with the interviewer. For example: I did a school

projects integrating aspects of finance, marketing

and operations. Would you like to hear the details?t Appropriate humor (in small doses!) is a good thing.

t If you arent sure of the meaning of a question, ask

clarifying questions.

t Mean what you say. If you seem insincere, itll be an

immediate turnoff.

t Make sure you close the interview. Reiterate your

TIP>

Be aware you may have the opportunity to askjust two or three questions, so choose wisely.



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TIP>

When the interview is over, send a thank-younote within 24 hours. Email is okay; snailmail is even better. Include thoughtful com-

ments about the session. When relevant,refer to some personal fact the interviewermentioned: Good luck shopping for that newvan, or Howd you do at racquetball?

interest in the position and ask for the interviewers

business card. Give a friendly closing handshake as

well.



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Your Internship

4Hitting the Ground Running ......24

Acting Like a Pro ........................25

Making the Mostof Your Internship ......................27

Timeline: Your Internship ...........29



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HITTING THEGROUND RUNNING YOUR INTERNSHIP IS a short-term proposition.Most likely, the summer will be over before you even

know it.ats why you have to make every day count.

e process should start even before you show up

at the office. Heres where the research you did to pre-

pare for the interview really pays off. Your contact withinsiders will have started you on the road toward under-

standing how the company and the industry work. Each

industry has its own lingo; by now you should have

started picking some of this up. You should know the

technical jargon youll need in your new job, any recent

developments in the company, and the names and func-

tions of the companys top brass. Your new colleagues

will see this as an encouraging sign of your interest.

BEFORE YOU STARTYour search is over once youve accepted the intern-

shipbut your work has just begun. Find out to

whom you will be reporting. Contact that person well

before you show up at work. Find out what projects

she has in mind for you. If the answer is vague, try to

elicit details as politely and diplomatically as you can.

Explain that you put a high priority on doing goodwork and you need to prepare as thoroughly as pos-

sible. You also can request being assigned to a particu-

lar area or particular type of project. But dont appear

too demanding because these conversations with your

boss will set the tone of future dialogue. Youll also get a

sense of your bosss managerial stylewhether detached

and formal, or laid-back and approachable. It helps to

know what lies ahead.

Say youre entering a marketing internship. You may

prefer to gain exposure to pricing and promotional

strategies for existing offerings on the one hand, or

to the researching, planning, and structuring of new

offerings on the other. Discuss your preferences with

the appropriate people before you start. e discussion

may help you shape the internship to suit your personalcareer goals.

You may have certain amount of flexibility in deter-

mining the scheduling of your internship. For instance,

in the interest of accommodating different school

schedules, the employer will often give you a choice of

start date. Consider this carefully. You may have hoped

for a nice vacation after exams. But this can throw your

internship off course. Ideally, youll start at the same

time as, or even before, the other interns. If you show

up after everyone else has started, youll have to catch

up. Youll miss orientation sessions, possibly even the

chance to work on choice projects.

If youre planning to take a vacation later in the

summer, get a sense of how much wiggle room you

have. Some employers will not even consider you for

the job unless they are sure to get a summerlong com-

mitment from you. Others may grant the permissionbut resent the time you take away from your intern-

ship. eyve committed time and resources to mak-

ing your internship productive and they want to get

maximum benefit out of it

INSIDER SCOOPSo many people think an internship is all about

the final projectthe great climax at the end ofyour three months. I think its so much more aboutthe first two weeks. Thats when you establishyourself with your team. Based on your firstimpression, people are going to decide whether totake the time to support you in your internship.

"TTJTUBOU#SBOE.BOBHFS

TIP>

If at all possible, before you begin your intern-ship, speak with the professionals whoseteam youll be joining. Ask about their careersand professional interests, ongoing projects,and challenges. Also ask for advice. The knowl-edge will be usefuland so will the rapportyouve started to build.



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Your employer will usually make sure you have

all the proper resources when you show up for your

internship: a workstation, a company email address,

voicemail. But these details can sometimes fall between

the cracks. Dont be afraid to sort out in advance; it will

save valuable time during that precious first week.

ACTING LIKE A PRO REMEMBER, YOUR INTERNSHIP is basically along-term interview. at means you need to show the

company youd be a worthwhile candidate for a full-

time position. If your supervisors want you to develop

certain skills and areas of expertise, apply yourself dili-

gently to the task. And at all times remain professional

in your demeanor and your approach to the job.Intern supervisors check in with me frequently

during the summer as to whos standing out, says a

motion picture company executive. If a supervisor

mentions an intern is reliable, honest, driven, humble,

enthusiastic, and intelligent, thats a huge plus for me.

When I remember an intern and have heard numerous

positive comments like that, thats someone I keep my

eye on.

Here are some key ways you can present yourself as aworthy member of the team:

Be on TimeIt sounds simple, but punctuality speaks volumes about

your professionalism.

Stay PositiveNo one wants to work with a grouch. If you maintain a

positive, can-do attitude during your internship, youll

show yourself as someone who coworkers will want to

see againin a full-time position.

Be ModestNo need to point out your every accomplishment.

Rest assured your managers are watching; they knowabout it already. A soft sell is the best tactic for prov-

ing your worth to the company. Dont aggressively

tout your abilities and accomplishments to your man-

ager; let her discover them for herself. And that trick

of shooting offan email to her when working into the

wee hours? Oldest one in the book. Dont use it more

than twice.

Act Like a Full-TimerNever think of yourself as a temp. Dont blow off an

assignment just because you think you wont finish

before your summer stint ends. If you have any interest

in getting hired full t ime, act like youre in the game for

the long haul.

Swallow Your Pride

Youre a hot shot at a top university. But one unin-formed jerk has the audacity to ask you to send a fax.

Dont say thats not in my job descriptionbecause

now it is. No matter how menial the task, show how

professional you can be. Photocopying and filing may

not be glamorous chores, but theyre essential ones. And

if you do a sloppy job copying a stack of documents,

who will trust you with bigger assignments?

Be StalwartShow yourself as somebody your colleagues can lean on.

Go out of your way to help others. Stay late and offer

assistance when others at the company are overloaded

with work. Remember, its never too early to act like

youre already an indispensable part of the team.

INSIDER SCOOPThe reporting manager who oversees internstreats them like regular employees. Were lookingto see how much direction they need, theirinitiative, and quality of their work. We check ontheir progress throughout the summer. Our goalis to be able to make a hiring decision before theydepart.



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Master the TerritoryDelve as deep as time allows into the company and the

industry. Look for relevant information in the news and

in trade magazines.

Ask QuestionsYou might have a 3.9 GPA, but you still dont know

it alland, guess what? You arent expected to. Most

managers would rather answer your questions when

you get the assignment than have to fill in the gaps after

you turn it in. If you dont understand how to go about

an assignment, ask your supervisor for clarification.

Find out what resources are available to you. But use

your discretion; figure out the right people to question

and the right time for doing it. Dont corner a senior

vice president at a cocktail party and start asking about

the specifics of workflow.

Dont Be Afraid to Socialize

Sure, youll run into annoying brownnosers who spendmore time schmoozing the higher-ups than working.

Even more galling, the tactic can sometimes work. e

lesson? Although getting the job done is of paramount

importance, dont underestimate the importance of

building important social connections.

Speak UpIts fairly safe to assume the employer knows about

your hope for a full-time job offer. But dont take it forgranted. If youve decided you want to come back after

graduation, let everyone knowyour boss, your col-

leagues, and the support staffers who often have the ear

of the big guns.

INTERNING KRYPTONITEBecause interns are usually new to the corporate world,

theyre sometimes prone to make mistakes a sea-

soned professional would avoid. Some bad moves can

destroy your chances faster than kryptonite can disable

Superman. Heres a list of 11 ways to obliterate your job

prospects with a single blunder:

Interning Under the InfluenceYou have a right to a social life. As long as youre of

drinking age, youre free to head to a bar with your

coworkers for some happy hour cheer. But wherever

alcohol and work mix, proceed with caution. Know

your drinking limits and stay well within them. Loud,

lewd behavior will nix your chances at the company.

Loose Lips

Your more experienced colleagues may like to dish the

dirt. But its best to turn a deaf ear to gossip. Youre new

on the scene and cant afford to get caught up in the

crossfire of office politics.

Dream-Weaving

As bad as it is to get caught nodding off in class, its

even worse on the job. Doodling or daydreaming dur-

ing meetings will attract negative attention right off

thebat. If you have to be brought back to reality during

meetings, theres no way youll be brought back.

INSIDER SCOOPThe three most important attributes in getting or

keeping a job are attitude, attitude, attitude.

FALSE FRIENDS

It might soundharsh, it might sound.BDIJBWFMMJBOCVUthe astute internnever befriends thefirst people to seekhim out. Theres ahigh probabilitytheyre in need ofinstant allies.

Stay cordial andprofessional, butnot chummy. If youfind yourself thelunch pal of a guywho is known forbadmouthing thebrass, you becomeguilty by association.



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Axes to Grind

Dont complainnot about the company, not about

your assignments, not about the cafeteria food. A posi-

tive outlook could make or break you in managements

eyes.

Impolitic

Religion, politics and sex are not safe subjects for the

workplace. Yes, as you develop personal ties with col-

leagues, these issues may come up. But in any group set-

ting, these topics should stay offthe table. Oh, and that

risqu email you got from your reprobate uncle? Keep

it to yourself.

Fashion Sense

If the other women are wearing closed-toe heels everyday, leave the wedge sandals in the closet. And even

if you see your supervisors taking business casual to

new levels, dont break out the muscle shirts. In busi-

ness dress, it always makes sense to err on the side of

caution.

Digital Distractions

You may be used to treating your iPhone or BlackBerry

as an appendage. But while youre on the job, use it onlyto get your work done. When your supervisor is hover-

ing over your desk, its not the time to send texts to your

girlfriend. And those iPhone games? You can play them

when you get home.

Too Much Information

Yes, you should let your supervisor know what youre up

to. But she doesnt need minute-to-minute updates. If

youre running out for a cup of coffee, theres no need to

interrupt her activities to announce it.

Space Invasions

e mens washroom? Not a good place to engage your

boss in work chatter. Be assured he wants to finish hisbusiness in there before attending to the business outside.

Unfunny Business

Its okay to leave before other colleagues. But as you

stroll out the door, never cheerily say, Dont work too

hardor youll be branded as the kind of person who

says things like that.

Going AWOLChronic lateness or absence is a certain job-prospect

killer. If an unavoidable conflict arises, let your supervisor

know. Its best to pick up the phone and ask; if its a sticky

situation, he may see an email or a voicemail message as

a weasel tactic. And if you call in sick, make sure he cant

hear the flight announcements in the background.

MAKING THE MOSTOF YOUR INTERNSHIP AN INTERNSHIP PRESENTS a great opportunityfor learning and career advancement. Its your respon-

sibility to maximize it. Learn your way around the

organization and familiarize yourself with day-to-day

operations. Master the companys communications

systems and any software programs youll need todo your job. You want to integrate yourself into the

offices operations as quickly and thoroughly as possi-

ble. When you need help with a task, ask the seasoned

staffers. eyll appreciate your efforts to become a

member of the team.

INSIDER SCOOPAn intern was told to alphabetize a bunch of files,and he thought it was the easiest thing. He wastext messaging the whole time and ended up put-ting five or six things in the wrong order. He endedup getting fired. Even if its small, you may be doingmore important things than you think. And manytimes other peoples jobs are dependent on the jobsthe intern does.



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Dont stop at questions. Talk to everyone you can.

Be sensitive to peoples availabilitythese are busy

professionals and they may have more important

things to do than chat. But you should be making

as many connections as you can with colleagues and

supervisors; your internship is a prime networking

opportunity.

e role you play in your new team is crucial

in your effort to make the internship worthwhile.Understand how your skills and background can

support the team, says an internship supervisor with

a major consulting firm. Look at what other people

are doing on projects, and figure out how you can

contribute.

Its up to you to get the full value of your intern-

ship. If you find you arent doing the work you

expected to do, let your supervisor know. Be dip-

lomatic and dont whine. You cant indicate youre

bored with your present project but you may be able

to get reassigned to more suitable work.

At some point in the processusually halfway

through, then again at the endyou will probably go

through an evaluation process. is is a great oppor-

tunity for personal growth. Listen carefully and with

an open mind. Dont be defensive. If they tell you

about areas where your skills and work habits can beimproved, take heedthese people know what theyre

talking about. But theyre also likely to discuss your

strengths, which are useful to bear in mind when

youre pitching your services in your next job hunt.

e evaluation process is a two-way street: While

the company is sizing you up, youll be figuring out if

you like the work and the work environment. Have

you found the qualities that attracted you to the

employer in the first place? Is the company a good fit

for your style, your values, and your goals? Before you

proceed forward to a full-time job, be sure you have

found a comfortable fit.

SIGNING OUT

Your exit interview may serve two purposes . It willprobably be your last chance to get a personal evalu-

ation. But the company team also will probably elicit

your feedback about your experience. e informa-

tion will help the team as it plans future internships.

Be open and honest, but focus on the positive. By no

means should you turn this into a gripe session. Make

constructive suggestions, and dont burn any bridges.

When the summer is over, you might be inclined

to submerge yourself into the current business of

your lifeespecially if youre cramming to fulfill

your school requirements. But you shouldnt let go

of the connections you made during your internship.

If you havent already done so, send thank-you notes

immediately to the key people on your team. In the

months ahead, keep in touch. Dont be a pest about

it, but periodically update them about your activi-

ties. Send them articles you think might be of inter-

est. Nurturing this network can give you an inside

track on job opportunities within the company.

Use LinkedIn aggressively. Add your new con-

tacts, and get a supervisor to recommend you there.

Follow up with your fellow interns, check on their

plans, and maintain the conversations you started

about your ideal job.

INSIDER SCOOP

There are definitely times you feel undervaluedand unappreciated as an intern, and youre going tobe upset and youre going to be stuck doing crappythings, but its all part of the experience. At the endof the day, everybody starts somewhere.

TIP>

If your employer doesnt have events plannedfor yourself and your fellow interns, take theinitiative yourself and suggest some after-work get-togethers. These can be great net-working opportunitiesyour peers may holdthe keys to future career opportunities.



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TIMELINE:YOUR INTERNSHIP AS YOU CONTEMPLATE the summer ahead, itmay seem you have all the time in the world. Well,

you dont. Your internship is more likely to fly by,

reaching its endpoint before you even know it. ats

why its best to plot your route in advance, making

sure you progress toward your goals as the intern-ship runs its all-too-short course. (Internships gener-

ally run 10 to 12 weeks; weve decided to outline an

11-week stint.)

WEEKS 1 AND 2:LEARNING THE ROPESe first couple of weeks are the time to get to know

your workplace. Following are some areas that deserve

special attention.

Peoplee ties you establish with your colleagues and your

comprehension of their place in the corporate struc-

ture are keys to your success during the summer. e

following steps will help you map out the jobs human

landscape:t Familiarize yourself with the companys organiza-

tional structure. Find out how your team fits into

the department and how the department fits into

the division. Who are the key stakeholders in the

work you do?

t Learn who depends on your group for information

or resources, and who the group itself depends on.

Remember, youre a link in the chain.

LESSONS FROM THE FRONTLINE: INTERNING DOS AND DONTS

I was interning at amagazine, and wasassigned to accom-pany a reporter cover-

ing a premiere at the.FUSPQPMJUBO0QFSBHouse. Since Id bestanding on the side-lines, I didnt dressup. The reporterended up having anextra ($15,000) ticketto the show, so hetook me. And I waswearing flip-flops!

Lesson: Dress profes-sionally when youreon the clock.

While working atthe front desk as alaw-firm intern, I acci-dentally pushed the

alarm button. Oops.The police calledback to see if theywere neededbutI accidentally hungup on them. DoublePPQT.JOVUFTMBUFSthey called back anddemanded I exit thebuilding. I walkedoutside and found

myself surrounded bycops with their weap-ons drawn.

Lesson: .BTUFSUIFphone system on dayone.

I accidentally CCedmy office on an emailchain circulatingwithin my extremely

conservative family.After that, whenevertheyd send out anemail blast railingabout left-wing gov-ernment conspira-cies, theyd hit replyalland include myentire office! Yikes!

Lesson: Dont use

your work email forpersonal messages.

We had completeda big project, so ourdepartment went ona celebratory lunch

cruise. Everyone gota drink ticket forone free drink. Sincethere were internsunder 21, I decided toask one of them fortheir ticket. She wastalking to somebodyI didnt know, whoturned out to be adepartment head! It

made me look like alush.

Lesson: Keep itclassy when boozingat work events.



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Getting Your Idea

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