Internship Preparation and Selection Process

Internship Preparation

• How do you prepare for the internship?

• What do you need to know before searching for an internship?

• Take a minute to write down your responses.

Internship Preparation

• When starting the internship process, it is important to:

• Have a clear understanding of your strengths, skills and career goals.

• Know what types of environments you do and do not thrive in

• Know your communication style

• Know how you like to be supervised

Internship Process

• 4 steps in the internship process/plan

1. Self-Assessment

2. Investigation of Internship/career options

3. Focus and goal setting

4. Networking

• Oregon MPH Career and Job search Manual, 2012.

1. Self-Assessment

• Skills

• Values

• Interests

• personality

Questions to Ask Yourself

• What do you want to learn in your internship?

• Think about:

• past or current jobs

• volunteering

• specific activities

Questions to Ask Yourself: HPHB • Are you passionate about working with a specific

population or populations?

• Ethnicity

• Age

• Gender

• Are you passionate about working with a specific health issue?

• Obesity

• HIV/AIDS

• Maternal and Child Health

Questions to Ask Yourself: HMP

• Are you interested in working in a specific organization?

• Hospital, insurance company, clinic, non-profit

• Are you interested in a specific area?

• Reimbursement

• Compliance

• Administration/Management

• Health Policy

• Quality Improvement

Questions to Ask Yourself: ESH

• Are you interested in working in a specific organization?

• Government, private company, etc.

• Are you interested in a specific area?

• Water Quality

• Air Pollution

• Occupational Health & Safety

• Other Environmental Issues

2. Investigation of Internship Options

•Be proactive!!!!

• Take action steps to get the Internship you want

• This requires time, research and contacting people

Internship Decision Making

• Look at the following statements, why do you think these result in unfulfilling internships?

• I need to graduate, so I will take any internship

• I am busy with school, I am going to just ask the coordinator for contacts, I don’t have time to look for internships.

• I rather be placed, by telling someone what I want, and them finding me an internship.

• I am too scared to contact people, what if they say no?

• I am overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, I guess I will just apply to things that sounds interesting and take the site that offers me an internship.

Internship Process

• What are some actions you can take to make sure you get the right internship?

Actions to Take

• Job Shadow

• Do Informational Interviews

• Research organizations you are interested in

• Network!

Investigating Internship Sites

Look on the internship website

Find a contact person

If there is no contact, look on website

Investigating Internship Sites

• Before contacting sites make sure you :

• have a solid resume

• are very clear about the internship requirements (hours, public health appropriate)

• are familiar with the site and have researched them

• know what you are looking for (self-assessment)

What Questions Do I need to Ask? Affiliation Agreements

• Some sites require an affiliation agreement, or legal contract (hospitals, universities, health departments)

• Can take 1-3 months, sometimes longer.

• When a site asks if they have a contract with us, check with me, this is not referring to the paper work but a contract between the organization and OSU.

• Procurement and Contracts Office (PaCS)

What do I need to Ask?

• Ask what their process is to officially have you ready to start the internship the term you are planning for. Do they need a Background Check? Immunizations? Drug Test? Orientation? Training? Other Requirements?

• Make sure to find out in advance, as this often can delay the start of an internship.

• Make sure they are aware of our policy, we DO NOT do background checks, or verify immunizations.

Criminal History/Background Check

• If there is something that will show up with a Criminal History Check, it is best to be honest and bring it up before it is done, to explain it.

What do I need to Ask?

• Find out the work expectations. What does a typical day look like?

• What are the hours? Are you expected to be there from 8-5 M-F? Can you take a lunch off site? Where do you park? What is the dress code? Are there specific work policies you need to be aware of?

• What is the protocol if you are sick? Expectations on showing up on time, etc.

• How are you going to get feedback? Will you meet with your preceptor weekly? What is the format?

What do I need to Ask?

• What competencies can I fulfill through this internship?

• What will I be working on?

• How can I get regular feedback?

Professionalism: Set yourself up to Succeed! Professional email

address

Professional tone with the site

Know how to address person, or ask them (Dr., Ms., Mr., etc)

If they email you, email them back in a timely manner, and keep them updated with your process.

Follow-Up

• General rule: 2-3 days if you have not heard from them or received an out of office reply.

• Try calling them and leaving a voicemail as well.

Paid and Unpaid Internships

Internships can be paid or unpaid, payment is a matter decided upon between you and the site.

If you are unsure, it is best to bring it up as soon as possible with other questions about the internship

Payment can be compensation for gas, a stipend, hourly pay, etc.

Myths about Internships 1. While doing my fieldwork, I will learn by doing and will not

have assignments and homework as in traditional classes.

2. Doing an Internship is Like Being a Volunteer in the Organization

3. Doing an Internship is Like Doing a Service-Learning Project

4. If I do not enjoy my internship, I must have chosen the wrong field site or wrong career

5. An Internship is like an apprenticeship. I will work Under a Qualified Professional and Learn to Do as he or she does

6. As an intern I will have the responsibilities and autonomy of a professional staff person

7. For my field work to be most useful, It should be in the same type of job I would like to find after graduation

8. Everyone gets an “A” in the internship

9. My Fieldwork will probably lead to a job within that agency

What to look for in a Preceptor

• They have a background in a relevant field

• They are available to give you regular feedback

• They have a leadership/communication style that fits with yours

Information for Preceptors

• They need to:

• Provide you with office space, working off site for more than a few hours is appropriate.

• Provide you with regular feedback as you request it.

• Provide mentoring based on your goals.

• Satisfy the 360 hour internship requirements and provide diverse activities/projects that fit with your option/minor.

3. Focus and Goal Setting

• Create your own professional goals/standards

• What are your short term goals

• What are your long term goals

• What are your priorities?

4. Networking

• Ongoing

• Put yourself out there

• You will be surprised at the power of networking, before, during and after your internship!

Seek out Leadership Principles

• From those in the field, it is essential to have some leadership models, principles, philosophy, styles that work for you to adopt in your professional life.

• Dr. Stephen Covey: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

• Principle centered approach for solving professional problems

7 Habits of Highly Effective People • 1. Be Proactive

• 2. Begin with the End in Mind: know your goals

• 3. Put First Thinks First: prioritize

• 4. Think Win/Win: collaborate, cooperate, everyone benefits

• 5. See First to Understand, Then to be Understood: get all of the facts first.

• 6. Synergize: effectively communicating, cooperative, working together in a creative way, empowered, harmony.

• 7. Self-Renewal (Sharpen the Saw): Continue to grow, learn, professional development

Resumes, Cover Letters and the Interview

Cover Letter

• The cover letter usually is always attached to your resume if one is required

• Different types of Cover Letters

Cover Letter TIPS

• Typed and easy to read (12+font)

• Use correct letter format-see samples in book

• Always pay attention to detail-check grammar and spelling- have someone proofread it.

• Don’t make it too long and wordy

• Don’t forget to sign the letter: electronic is okay

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/549/01

Resumes

• Use a template

• The resume should include:

• IDENTIFICATION DATA: name, address, and phone number(s) (including area code). Email address can also be included.

Education

• Expected Date of Graduation

• Majors/Minors/Option

• Relevant Courses

Skills/Certifications

• Certifications

• Another Language: Spanish, etc

• Computer Skills: list programs (Excel, Word, etc)

• Other skills/qualifications to highlight?

Essentials for the Journey

• What would you select as your essentials for your internship journey and why?

Top 10 skills

• National Association of Colleges and Employers 2013 Job Outlook Survey

• What do you think are the top 10 skills employers (and internship preceptors) are looking for evidence of on a resume?

Top Skills

• 8 out of 10 employers who review resumes of potential college hires are looking for evidence of leadership skills.

• 75% of employers are looking for problem-solving skills (either on resume or discussed in the interview)

• The number one skill employers are looking for: verbal communication

Work Experience

• brief summaries of principle employment to date

• start with your current (or most recent) position and work backward.

• Bullet points work really well!

Action Verbs

• ACTION VERBS FOR JOB DESCRIPTIONS

• Use present tense verb phrases for jobs you currently hold and past tense for former jobs.

• Accomplished Delivered

• Supervised Assisted

• Reviewed Distributed

• Programmed Provided

• Promoted Researched

• Maintained Wrote

• Prepared

• Planned

• Coordinated

Volunteer/Community Service

• Include the name of the organization, dates, summary of volunteer duties

• GREAT WAY TO GET EXPERIENCE!

• HPHB: can count H310 here or in a separate category labeled “Practicum”

ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS

• List all major achievements and awards

• These can include organizations, academic honors, awards, etc.

References

• "available upon request“ if you are applying to many sites

• List the references if you are just applying to one or two sites

• Typically 3 professional references (combination of academic professionals and past employers/supervisors)

References

• Keep references informed about what you are applying for

• Make sure to choose references who agree to be a reference

• Can speak about your professional qualities

• Can be a combination of past employers and academic professionals

Resume Formats

•More than one page ideally!

• Experience is what counts, that is what they are looking for!

•Visually appealing: easing to read, not too bland and not to busy

TIPS For Resume Writing

• Make it honest • Use action words • PROOFREAD: Have someone else review your resume • Continue to update your resume

Interviewing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKBubKO-798

STAR Technique:

• Situation

• Task

• Action

• Result

The interview

Be on time- know how to get there and how long it will take

Have a professional appearance- its always better to be overdressed then underdressed

10 Interviewing Tips

• 1. Research the company

• 2. Read the internship description thoroughly

• 3. Look the part

• 4. Be enthusiastic

• 5. Listen carefully

• 6. Provide detailed responses

• 7. Match your strengths to the position

10 Interviewing Tips

• 8. Highlight your experiences and potential

• 9. Use specific examples for behavioral questions

• 10. Leave something to remember you by

Additional Tips

Take a pen and paper

Prepare yourself for questions, and write down any questions you have.

Take an extra resume and copy of Internship Manual

Sample Questions

What do you expect to learn and what are your goals for this internship?

What interests you in our organization and internship position?

What are your strengths/weaknesses?

What are the internship guidelines required by your school?

Questions you might ask:

Why are you looking for an intern?

What project(s) do you have in mind?

What expectations do you have of an intern?

Have you had interns in the past?

Where would I be working?