Internship & Summer Job Search

1. Internship & Summer Job Search The Pennsylvania State University

2. Topics: • Importance of gaining “real world” experience • Types of experiential opportunities • Resources for contacts • Landing the internship/summer job • What employers look for • Getting the most out of the experience

3. Avoid the “catch 22” • Benefits of internships: • gain first-hand knowledge of the what the job is really like on a day-to-day basis • marketable addition to a professional resume • opportunity to apply theory to practice • networking contacts for future job searching • gain confidence in abilities as a professional member of the workforce

4. Making the most of your summer • Internships • Summer jobs • Co-op • EXTERNships • Volunteerism

5. Identify & ResearchProspective Employers • Faculty/staff in your College • Office of Student Employment • Pattee Library • Career Information Center -- 410 Boucke • Internship & Summer Job Directories • Job Choice Annuals • “Best Temporary Job” cards • Vacancy Announcements • JOBTRAK • WWW

6. Open the Door to Opportunity • Analyze your skills, interests and academic & career goals • Focus your options by connecting your skills, etc. to your prospective employers • Market yourself to the prospective employers you have researched • Establish your learning agreement with your employer • JUST DO IT!

7. Employers’ Wish List • Emphasis varies from employer to employer • Good grades • Related experience • Leadership qualities • Strong interpersonal skills • Motivated to career field and/or company • One Universal Trait:“a winning attitude . . . the desire to succeed”from Peterson’s “Internships 2000”

8. Make it count & you will win! • Ask questions -- be curious • Volunteer to help on projects -- go the extra mile • Follow through on assignments -- deadlines count • Learn the company culture -- try to fit in • Add value -- it can be a win-win combination Many interns are offered full-time positions!

9. Questions? 413 Boucke 865-2377 www.psu.edu/career