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Internship Programs

Internship Programs. A University Perspective By Dr. Lisa Stephenson The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs. What is an internship?. Real-world work experience for students Students develop career-specific skills & have intentional learning activities

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Internship Programs

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  1. Internship Programs A University Perspective By Dr. Lisa Stephenson The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs

  2. What is an internship? • Real-world work experience for students • Students develop career-specific skills & have intentional learning activities • Variable length, but usually 3-6 months • Part-time or Full-time, Paid or Unpaid • Promote academic, career and/or personal development

  3. Why are internships important for students? • Acquire experience important for future employment and education • Apply classroom knowledge to a real work environment • Develop and practice transferable skills • Learn about personal strengths, weaknesses and preferences • Expand professional network and references • Increase chances of receiving a job offer upon graduation

  4. Why do organizations want interns? • Year-round source of highly motivated pre-professionals • Students bring new perspectives to old problems • Freedom for professional staff to pursue more creative projects • Quality candidates for temporary or seasonal positions and projects • Flexible, cost-effective work force not requiring a long-term commitment • Proven, cost-effective way to recruit and evaluate potential employees

  5. How do universities and companies prepare students for internships? • Help students understand how an internship fits into their professional development by developing a Professional Development Action Plan (PDAP) • Students need assistance with resumes and cover letters. • Students need assistance with developing good interview skills • Before taking an internship, students should ask themselves some key questions.

  6. What interns tell us about internships (adapted from University of Virginia) • Give us real work • Do what you say, and say what you do • We like feedback • We want to be included too • Please explain • I want a mentor • A minute of your time, please • Be prepared • I need a desk • Please pay (if possible), or help with something.

  7. How do we advertise internships? • Organizations should work closely with career centers. • Advertise in university on-line databases • Hold on-campus presentations to discuss internships • Participate in career fairs • Speak with faculty at universities • Advertise opportunities on your websites and through list serves

  8. Publishing a Resume to a Resume Book

  9. Elliott School Career Connection Job Listings

  10. Making the Internship a Good Experience for Everyone • Be clear on the realistic tasks students can accomplish • Work with career centers to establish learning objectives for students • Identify outcomes and expected products • Be willing to incorporate the students’ particular strengths • Show how intern’s work relates to the organization • Maintain an open channel of communication • Keep interns busy and challenged • Provide opportunities for increasing responsibility • Encourage professionalism and development of new skills • Remember you are a role model

  11. Evaluation of Internships • Companies and Universities should work with students to evaluate and reflect on their internships once they are completed. • Examples of Questions for Evaluations

  12. Student Evaluation of Internships: • Examples of aspects of the internship a student should rank from Poor to Excellent are: • Work experience relates to career goals • Adequacy of employer supervision • Opportunity to use training • Provides levels of responsibility consistent with abilities • Opportunity to develop communication skills, be creative, problem solve, and develop critical thinking skills • Provide Orientation to the organization • Effort to make it a learning experience • Other good questions: • Would you work for this supervisor again? • Would you work for the organization again? • Would you recommend this organization to other students?

  13. Employer Evaluation of Intern • Employers should rank students from Unsatisfactory to Exceptional in the following areas: • Motivation to learn • Reading/Writing/Computation Skills • Listening & Oral Communication Skills • Creative Thinking & Problem Solving Skills • Professional and Career Development Skills • Interpersonal and Teamwork Skills • Organizational Effectiveness Skills • Basic Work Habits • Character Attributes • Overall Performance

  14. In Conclusion • A good Internship Program benefits Students • A good Internship Program benefits Companies and Organizations • A good Internship Program benefits Universities

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