Internship Guide
Career Planning Center
Allen House 610-606-4648 career@cedarcrest.edu facebook.com/CareeratCCC Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Career Planning Services and Resources The Cedar Crest College Career Planning Office is dedicated to the success of all individuals. To support CCC students and attain the goals and objectives defined in our "Working Definition," Career Planning provides a variety of services and resources for YOU: Career Counseling/Coaching “Major Discoveries Series” Workshops & Presentations Career and Personality Assessments/Inventories Graduate School Info Etiquette Dinners Fairs—Internships, Jobs, Graduate School Mock Interview Program On-Campus Interviewing Program Employer Information and Networking Sessions Resourceful website (www2.cedarcrest.edu/career) Internship & Job Database (The College Central Network) Review Service—resumes, cover letters, application essays, personal statements
Register with the Career Planning Office
After registering with the College Central Network, you will be able to: Search for internship, volunteer, part-time, and full-time job opportunities Post your resume online for employers to view Create and maintain a comprehensive online career portfolio Track your resume submissions and view employers who reviewed your resume View semester events on the Announcement Board Watch over 125 quick Career Advice videos Go to www.collegecentral.com/cedarcrest to register & upload your resume!
About internships.com Internships.com serves as the leading nexus between internships and students, higher education and employers. At internships.com we provide world class tools and services to enable every student, employer and educator to better understand and optimize the work opportunities of the future.
Benefits for Students Search for Internships – Our database is the largest in the world focused solely on internships with tens of thousands of active listings for summer, fall, winter, and spring internship opportunities. Our search feature allows you to find companies large and small in one place just by entering a keyword and location. Resume/Cover Letter Builder & Tips – Present yourself professionally to employers. Use internships.com’s resume tool to create a personalized resume using our quick and easy step-by-step process. Look at resume and cover letter examples and use them as a guide to prepare your own unique resume and cover letter(s). Also, use the additional tools and features on the website to help determine if your resume and cover letter are Take the Internship Predictor™ – What internship might best suit you? Get ideas from the Internship Predictor. You’ll learn about what industries and type of work, plus what kind of environment would suit you best. Then click on the results of the Internship Predictor to find internship opportunities in those fields. Interview Preparation and Follow-up – Explore the Student Tool Kit and find the best resources to manage your internship process. Personal career management right at your fingertips with articles, tools, videos and more. Get Internship Updates – Sign up for e-newsletters and find out the latest internships available, plus hear about the tools and information that can help you in your internship.
How to sign up Visit www.internships.com/welcome/CedarCrestCollege • Click on “Sign Up for Free” in the upper right hand corner of any page. • Complete the form by entering your first and last name, email, and password. • Then click “Sign Me Up!” Make sure to create your profile/resume and select Cedar Crest College from the drop down menu in the education section.
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Experiential Education Adds Value
Career Exploration Did You Know: More than 75% of organizations’ new entry-level hires have had internship experience.
Successful Employment
Gaining Experience & Developing Job Search Skills
Job Search
Volunteer/Service Learning
Internships
Study Abroad
Student Activities/Clubs
“Internships allow students to experience first hand the pressures and rewards of the workplace, while under the supervision of faculty and selected workplace supervisors.” ~ Professor, Cedar Crest College “Internships are valuable to employers as a means of evaluating the skills and abilities of prospective employees.” ~Luis Martines, Vice President of Human Resources Lehigh Valley Hospital
On-Campus Employment
Integrating Work With Learning WHAT is an internship? According to the National Society of Experiential Learning, an internship is a “carefully monitored work or volunteer experience in which an individual has intentional learning goals and reflects actively on what he or she is learning throughout the experience. It’s temporary work that gives you on the job training and practical experience.” Internships usually last one semester, although some can be longer or shorter. Some are paid positions. Others earn you academic credit. You can intern in almost any area of study in almost any part of the country, or even abroad. Internships can get your foot in the door for your first full-time, permanent position. Employers are using internships in order to gain a first hand, in-depth look at prospective employees. WHY do an internship? Experiential learning is the single most effective way to obtain employment after graduation. You get the opportunity to learn new skills, and apply the things you learned in the classroom in “real life situations”. It is a way to explore career options, likes and dislikes, with little investment in terms of time and money. You can earn academic credit, and for some internships you may even be paid! You can network and develop professional contacts in your field of study. You can increase your self-confidence and professionalism. WHAT types of internships exist? Paid internships Credit internships Volunteer experiences Summer, Fall, and Spring internships WHEN is the best time to do an internship? The ideal time to do an internship is the summer after your sophomore year or during your junior year. This gives you the option of doing another internship when you are a senior. You can receive credit for an internship once you have reached junior or senior standing. WHAT should you have prepared? Resume/Cover Letter A professional reference list (Former and present employers, members of faculty, staff and/or administration. Advisors and coaches. No family members or friends.) Interviewing skills – practice and think ahead. Utilize INTERVIEW STREAM to conduct a Mock Interview! WHERE do you identify /look for internships? Internships.com: http://www.internships.com/welcome/CedarCrestCollege Directories in the Career Planning Library For student internships within the Federal Government – and there are MANY for ALL majors, please visit www.usajobs.gov College Central Network: Internship/Job/On-Campus Interview posting database www.collegecentral.com/cedarcrest Career and Internship Fairs (visit Career Planning website for details) Contact previous/present employers and/or faculty Contact local seasonal employers (e.g. Dorney Park or Department of Parks and Recreation) Alumnae contacts via www.collegecentral.com or the Alumnae Affairs Office **Please remember that your proposed internship site and the work involved still needs to be approved by your advisor and the Director of Career Planning to qualify for academic credit.
WHAT resources are available at the Career Center to help you? Websites – All internships received are posted on the web at: www.collegecentral.com/cedarcrest. You may also explore the internship links listed on the Career Planning homepage at www2.cedarcrest.edu/career Directories – The Career Planning office has a host of internship directories in the career library to help students identify possible sites to intern Individual Appointments – Meet with the Director of Career Planning to discuss possible areas of interest, how to go about contacting employers, etc.
“Nothing ever becomes real until it is experienced.” ~John Keats
It Takes Time…START PREPARING NOW! To get the most out of an internship or summer job, you must take it as seriously as a “real” job. Speak, act, and dress in a way that says you are a professional. The employer will be evaluating you and your work. But also realize that it is a learning experience – you are not expected to know everything beforehand! Keep in mind that employers look for: Enthusiasm Professionalism Responsibility Communication skills (written and oral) Drive and desire Good GPA (how good depends on the employer) Think Outside of your “Major” box: Even an internship or related job that is not in the career field you ultimately decide on can still be a very positive experience for you. It lets you know what you were not cut out to be –while you still have time to do something about it. It will be far less emotionally and financially expensive to make that discovery before you get a degree, not after.
Getting Started 1. Take a Look at Yourself Personal Interests: What do you enjoy doing? Academic Interests: What do you most want to learn? Career Goals: Where do you see yourself in 1 year? 5 years? Work Values: What rewards do you seek? Causes do you advocate? Abilities: What skills/abilities do you have to offer? What personal criteria do you have for an internship? o Geographic location o Duration o Monetary compensation o Academic credit 2.
Gather Information & Make Contact Resources Internship directories & guidebooks Academic department/advisor Career Planning library/postings Fellow students/previous interns Professional associations Community agencies Attend Career Fairs Narrow It Down: Develop a manageable list (10-15) and prioritize Review organizations in light of your goals and objectives from step 1 Do you meet the organization’s requirements? Does the organization meet the college requirements for credit? Pay attention to application deadlines Contact Them: Telephone Scripts o (If you have a contact name) “Hello my name is . Is still the person in your office who handles the student intern program?” o (If you do not have a contact name) “Hello, my name is . I am a Junior/Senior at Cedar Crest College majoring in . I am interested in (Area of Interest) and understand that (Name of Organization) provides internships in this field.” Send Your Credentials: Cover Letter Resume References (if applicable) Writing samples (if applicable) Transcripts (if applicable)
3. Your Final Decision Helping you decide: Which organization fits your personal interests/needs the best? Are your abilities suited to the organization? How well does the project/assignment relate to your career goals? Academic goals? Do the co-workers and supervisor appear to be enthusiastic and supportive toward interns? How much does the general work atmosphere (employee morale, dress) appeal to you? How much responsibility will you have? Will the internship offer valuable experience? Accepting and rejecting offers: Show appreciation – either way Confirm start and end dates, intern supervisor, academic credit requirements, etc., in writing Explore academic credit options: Get all necessary paperwork from the Career Planning Center Get acquainted with the faculty supervisor who will oversee your credit arrangement Be sure that all documentation/requirements are met before starting your internship
SAMPLE: Internship Inquiry Letter November 17, 20XX Ms. Jane Miller Director, Human Resources ABC Accounting Firm 123 Main Street Allentown, PA 18104 Dear Ms. Miller: I am writing to inquire about any available internships during the summer of 20XX with ABC Accounting Firm. I am currently a junior Accounting major at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA. During my studies at Cedar Crest College, where I maintain a 3.2 GPA, I have gained hands-on experience with tax preparation as well as the daily operations of an accounting firm. As an active member of the Investment Club, where I currently am treasurer, I participated for two years in the VITA program in which accounting students help senior citizens and low-income individuals prepare their tax returns. This not only gave me experience, but has also helped solidify my career interest. Your internship offers me an opportunity to strengthen my current work history by giving me more focused experience in the field or accounting. I am excited to work for you as I feel this would give me an advantage over other students when I seek full-time employment. Enclosed is my resume. I will contact you within two weeks to schedule a time for us to discuss this opportunity further. I look forward to learning more about the summer internship program at ABC Accounting Firm. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Ima Student 1212 College Drive Allentown, PA 18104 610-555-1234 istudent@cedarcrest.edu Enclosure: Resume
SAMPLE: Internship Resume Ima Student 123 Smart Street ♦ Allentown, PA 18104 ♦ 610-555-1234 ♦ istudent@cedarcrest.edu Education: BA Cedar Crest College; Allentown, PA Major: English (May, 20XX) Minor: Writing Cumulative GPA: 3.2/4.0 Related Coursework: Nonfiction: Writing for Publication; Literary Research Methods; Creative Writing: Fiction; Creative Writing: Poetry Honors and Awards: Dean’s List – Fall 20XX, Spring 20XX Short Story, “Don’t Look”, published in Graduate Literary Review, Spring 20XX Experience: The Crestiad, College Student Newspaper; Allentown, PA Writer/Associate Editor (Fall 20XX – Present) Write and edit articles, computer layouts, and paste-ups Assist in the supervision of a 16-page, bi-weekly newspaper Theater-by-the-Sea; Belmar, NJ Administrative Assistant (Summers 20XX – 20XX) Assisted in all aspects of office administration for a small summer stock theatre Wrote press releases and handled mailing lists Developed strong interpersonal skills while working with customers who wanted to purchase tickets Cressman Library; Allentown, PA Work Study (Fall 20XX – Spring 20XX) Oversaw students’ usage of computer systems Provided assistance to student by answering their questions Enhanced computer skills while logging usage reports Activities and Interests: Member, Varsity Softball Team Tutor, America Reads Vice President, Student Government Association (SGA) Member, Student Activities Board (SAB) Hiking, dancing, and cooking
Questions To Ask During The Interview
Whether you are aiming for a paid or an unpaid internship, it is important to ask your prospective employer intelligent questions – these show you are enthusiastic and motivated. They also help you make the decision of where you want to intern. Listed below are questions you may want to ask: What are the principal duties of this internship? What are the principal duties of those departments? Are there any special programs provided for interns? Will I work with more than one department or division of the company? Will I work for more than one supervisor? What skills will I develop through the internship? (ie: Writing skills? Analytical skills?) What outcome do you expect my work to have? (In other words, will what I do become part of a written report or oral presentation? Will I be required to leave the office to speak to anyone?) How much interaction will I have with other interns? Are there special programs for interns to meet one another? Would there be opportunities to shadow employees? Would I have any interaction with top management or supervisory personnel in addition to my own supervisor(s)? Would the interaction be spontaneous, or at planned events? Is this a paid or an unpaid internship? Additionally, especially if it is an unpaid internship, will any of my expenses be paid? How will my performance be evaluated (on paper, orally, or both)? How would you describe the work climate here? Do you consider an internship to be a recruiting tool? o The answer to this question may suggest how many interns eventually are hired for full-time jobs or give you other clues to possible opportunities within a company or agency.
Internship Timeline for Students What to Do Attend an orientation meeting in Career Planning and pick up Internship Program Packet
When to Do It Semester prior to the internship
Whom to See Career Planning
Attend Resume Preparation and Interviewing Workshop
Semester prior to the internship
Career Planning
Have your resume critiqued
Middle of semester prior to the Internship
Career Planning
Discuss potential internship sites
Varies by major – usually beginning of semester
Faculty Supervisor & Career Planning
Interview for Internships
Middle to end of semester prior to the internship
Employer Supervisor
Submit Application and Statement of Intent, and Internship Description
Equivalent to Drop/Add deadline for the semester
Faculty Supervisor Career Planning
Maintain Log of Hours
Throughout internship
Employer Supervisor
Complete and turn in YOUR Final Evaluation and make sure that the internship site has also done so
Submitted no later than last day of class (prior to finals week)
Career Planning Employer Supervisor
Internship Etiquette Etiquette (et'i - ket'), n. 1. the forms, manners, and ceremonies established by convention as acceptable or required in society, in a profession, or in official life. 2. the rules for such forms, manners, and ceremonies. Internship etiquette is the behavior and manners, which are acceptable at your internship site. For many of you, your internship will be the first time you have ventured forth into the business world beyond Cedar Crest College. Employers will expect you to act as a professional in the workplace. The catch is this: seldom are the rules spelled out for you, and the rules are not the same for any two organizations. If you do not figure out the rules, you can have a poor experience and a poor evaluation. It is all pretty ambiguous. So what do you do? Here are a few guideline and ideas to help you get on track: Follow the chain of command. It is important for you to know the formal and informal reporting structures within your organization. Follow the chain of command in all your communications and actions. That means go to your Employer Supervisor first unless you are instructed otherwise. Respect confidentiality. You can talk about issues, projects, the work environment, but refrain from talking about your work associates. Gossip can get back to people and wind up hurting you. Do not be hurt if you are left out of certain discussions – some issues are for staff ears and eyes only. Finally, do not take sides; steer clear of interoffice politics. Remember that you are there to work on your project. Respect the support staff. They have been there longer than you have, and they know more than you do. They can be terrific allies in helping you break in, in helping you understand the unspoken rules, and in helping you accomplish your goals if you treat them with the respect they are due. Wipe the thought “just a secretary” out of your mind. Remember this: without support staff, the organization would not run. Learn basic social skills. This might seem rather silly, but if no one ever taught you such rituals, you are well advised to learn them quickly! Go to the library and read some etiquette books, or pattern your behavior after those around you. How you handle hellos, goodbyes, and basic courtesies of speech and action can win friends or turn people off. For example, do not sit down in someone’s office until you are invited to do so. Keep your feet off the furniture. Hats off inside! Do not chew gum. In the dining hall, you can get away with reaching across someone for the salt, or pushing your plate out of the way when you are through. In the work world, you lose points. Attendance and promptness are expected. Because you are a student, some faculty may not penalize you if you fly into class five minutes late, or if you miss class. In the work world, that just will not cut it. Tardiness and absenteeism signal disrespect for other’s time and a lack of interest in the work. Promptness signals eagerness, responsibility, and respect for others. At the beginning of the day and at all your meetings, be on time or five minutes early. As for being absent from work, serious illness or family emergencies are the only reasons that may justify absence. It is important to call immediately and speak directly with your work supervisor if you have a problem that will keep you from your internship. Learn to make a positive first impression. Practice until you acquire a firm handshake. Learn how to make introductions, and how to introduce yourself to those you do not know. Be friendly, smile, and extend yourself. These are all parts of those important first impressions that really can earn you points. Dress the part. Yes, this is important! When you walk in the door of your internship site, even if it is on campus, you are no longer a student. We repeat: you are no longer a student. Appropriate attire is different for every organization. Look around you. What are others wearing? Model your dress and grooming after that of your supervisor and other professional staff and you cannot go wrong. Lose the lingo. In your internship, it will tell people that you are not yet professional material. Listen to the language of those around you, listen to your own language, and speak as a professional. Show your appreciation. At the conclusion of your internship, express your thanks to all those who helped you during your internship experience. In particular, write a brief thank you note to the site Employer Supervisor for sharing his or her time and expertise and serving as your "mentor."
Be a good ambassador. Be cognizant that you reflect our college. How you perform and behave in your internship will affect the future of other Cedar Crest College interns. Think about the long-term benefits of good internship etiquette. Many of you will ask your Employer Supervisors for job recommendations or contacts. Some of you will apply for full-time or summer jobs at your internship site. Have you proven that you can make it in that type of environment? Have you earned a positive recommendation? What you do today can stick with you for a long time‌make it count!
What Do You Do If Things Go Wrong? Suggestions for Students, Employer Supervisors, and Faculty Supervisors The following guidelines will assist faculty, students, and employer supervisors in working through concerns. 1. Discuss the problem Occasionally problems arise during an internship. We strongly encourage the individuals involved to discuss the situation, negotiate on their own, and work toward agreement. Early intervention can usually lead to a solution that is acceptable to all involved. If a problem arises, it is important to deal with it immediately. This, of course, is the ideal. If a solution cannot be found, move on. If the problem is with the student or the Employer Supervisor, consult the Faculty Supervisor or the Director of Career Planning. If the problem is with the Faculty Supervisor, consult with Kate Carannante, Director of Career Planning, at 610-660-4648. 2. Call Employer Supervisors should call the Faculty Supervisor or Director of Career Planning when a problem arises which cannot be resolved through discussion. Such a problem might be absenteeism, failure to follow directions, poor attitude, and inappropriate dress. Likewise, students should call their Faculty Supervisor when problems occur, such as when guidelines are not being followed, when expectations are not being met, or when inappropriate advances are made. 3. Intervene If faculty intervention is warranted, the Faculty Supervisor should gather information from the Employer Supervisor and the student concerning the nature of the problem. A site visit and/or a meeting between the three individuals may be advisable, with the instructor as conveyer and mediator. 4. Review the guidelines All individuals should review the guidelines and Learning Contract. What expectations were outlined at the beginning of the internship? Clarification of the expectations may be in order. The Faculty Supervisor should make recommendations to the student and/or Employer Supervisor, and encourage the two individuals to discuss the issue and work out an acceptable solution.
Career Notes, Goals, Aspirations, To-Do’s