5 T H I N G S N O T TO D O D U R I N G YO U R I N T E R N S H I P Internships allow students to explore a career while providing the opportunity to network, develop mentor-mentee relationships and gain valuable work experience. Internship coordinators often let their interns sit in on meetings, send company e-mails and try their hand at working on projects. If interns shine, it’s possible bigger assignments will come their way and higher-ups in the company will notice their work. Therefore, it’s common for internships to turn into jobs. With the job market being so competitive, internships are a direct way for students to showcase their skills and demonstrate their professionalism. With so much weighing on the internship experience, here are five things to avoid doing: 1 Showing up late and missing deadlines. An internship is the time to transition from being a student to a professional, which means that showing up on time and making deadlines is important. Doing these things also signals that you are responsible, dependable and care about your work, which are qualities needed to secure a job. 2 Don’t Gossip. There are liability issues when pervasive gossip is deemed “malicious harassment”. You may increase the company’s legal liability, which could lead to termination from your internship. 3 Declining an invitation to a company function. It’s understandable that after working a 40-hour week that an intern would rather skip out on the company picnic. Don’t. By going to company functions, interns can show they are part of the team and meet up per-level managers they normally wouldn’t interact with on a daily basis. 4 Never asking for feedback. If an intern cares about securing a job after graduation, it may be intimidating to ask questions or seek ways to improve. Internship supervisors don’t expect perfection. Instead, they want to see someone who is willing to grow and improve. 5 Overuse of Media Don’t use your cell phone regularly or text. This is considered rude or unprofessional by some managers. While you are at work if you are in doubt about whether an incoming call is important, let voice mail pick it up. Browsing social media can also be interpreted as unprofessional.
I M P O R TA N T C A M P U S R E S O U R C E S
Title IX & Inclusion Office Located in Lindero Hall; Hours: 8am – 5pm, Monday – Friday E: titleix@csuci.edu P: 805-437-3608 Dean of Students Located in Bell Tower, Room 2565 E: deanofstudents@csuci.edu P: 805-437-8512 Academic Advising Located in Bell Tower, Room 1595 E: advisement@csuci.edu P: 805-437-8571 Procurement & Contract Services Questions regarding the required insurance coverage may be directed to this department. E: purchasing@csuci.edu P: 805-437-8592
C A R E E R D E V E L O P M E N T & A LU M N I E N G AG E M E N T Danielle Quillan Internship Program Analyst (805) 437-2665 Danielle.Quillan@csuci.edu Amanda Carpenter, Ed.D. Director of Career Development & Alumni Engagement (805) 437-3565 Amanda.Carpenter@csuci.edu 18
CSUCI Internship Guide for Students & Faculty
Amanda Asquith-Caya, M.S., M.A. Coordinator of Employer Relations (805) 437-8493 Amanda.Asquith-Caya@csuci.edu
