WHY DO AN INTERNSHIP?
- Gain valuable experience
- Learn more about fields of interest
- Build a network of professional contacts
- Clarify career goals
- Apply concepts learned in the classroom
- Learn and understand the jargon of a profession
- Improve communication skills
- Investigate an organization’s culture
WHERE CAN YOU FIND AN INTERNSHIP?
- Visit your Career Consultant
- Register on DAWGlink
- Attend Career Fairs
- Research professional journals/associations/ directories
- Utilize your network (faculty, friends, and relatives)
- Look through classified/job postings
- Contact organizations directly (cold call or send a letter)
- Use the Career Center Resource Library
- Internet resources
EVALUATING THE INTERNSHIP
You may have heard internship horror stories of summers wasted. Don’t let that happen to you! Some things to consider before accepting an internship: What is the organizational culture and management type? Is there a mentoring system in place? What is their ranking and prestige in the industry? What is your networking potential? Are there possibilities for full-time employment in the future?
HOW DO INTERNSHIPS HELP EMPLOYERS?
By providing free or low-cost labor in times of cutbacks, internships are an important tool for employers as well! In addition, these experiences allow organizations to train a pool of candidates for their full-time jobs while connecting academics with community partnerships.
INTERNSHIP FAQS
Sources:
- The Career Center, Florida State University, “ Making the Most of Your Internship.”
- Richardson, Christina, “ Make the Most of Your Internship ,” Wetfeet.
- Berkeley University of California, “Making the Most of Your Internship Experience.”
- Dr. Randall Hansen, Quintessential Careers “Making the Most of Your Internship(s)”
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