Essentials to a Successful Internship Search

1. Essentials to a Successful Internship Search

2. Why Have an Internship? • Integrate classroom theory with practical experience • Opportunity to assess career options • Examine the structure/functions of companies and organizations • Develop professional contacts • Personal independence & professional responsibility

3. The Employer Perspective • The importance of gaining RELEVANT EXPERIENCE • Over 70% of employers surveyed expected students to have had at least one internship prior to graduation • 50% of employers surveyed expected students to have two or more internships • 60-65% of employers were hoping to convert their interns into full-time hires • 2007/2008 Recruiting Trends Data (a survey conducted by Michigan State)

4. Other Considerations • Rationale for academic credit: learning objectives, quality supervision • Paid vs. unpaid • Timing: summer or semester-long

5. Top Reasons Students Don’t Get an Internship • They don’t know what they want • They start the process too late (summer internship deadlines – February & March) • Don’t invest enough time in their search for an internship • Can’t identify their most marketable skills • Struggle with simple interview questions • Present a poor or inappropriate appearance

6. Qualifications Employers Seek Communication Skills Motivation/Initiative Teamwork Leadership Academic Achievement-GPA Fit – company culture Interpersonal Skills Flexibility/Adaptability Technical Skills Honesty & Integrity Analytical/Problem Solving Skills Enthusiasm Professionalism/maturity Source: National Association of Colleges & Employers

7. Some questions to consider when preparing for an Internship • WHATtype of internship do you want? What are you hoping to learn? • HOW do your personal attributes, experience, accomplishments, knowledge, and skills qualify you for an internship? Research your career field & industry • WHO hires for that internship and WHAT skills, personal attributes and experiences do they seek?

8. Prepare for Your Search • Tailored resume, cover letter, and portfolio • Letters of recommendation / references • Business Cards (www.vistaprint.com) • Participate in a mock interview • Become familiar with professional dining, business, & interview etiquette • Professional email, Linked In, Facebook, and voice mail • Thank-you notes

9. CBE Pre-requisites • Full time Accounting, Business Administration, CSIS or Economics major • Completion of a minimum of 60 credits including the following courses for the respective majors: • Accounting: Lower Division Business Requirements and ACCT 321, 356. • Business Administration: Lower Division Business Requirements and MNGT 300, MKTG 310, and FINC 345. MIS majors should also have completed the CSIS courses listed below with the exception of CSIS 237. • Computer Science/Information Systems: CSIS 161, 162, 237, 247, and 333. • Economics: All courses required for major except for ECON 480. • Obtain approval from Department Chair.

10. Credits Received for Internships • 2-6 credits (pass/fail) depending on work requirements for Business Administration, CSIS and Economics • 3-12 credits (pass/fail) depending on work requirements for Accounting • 1 credit = approximately 45 work hours • No more than three (3) credits can be used as electives in the major.

11. Process • Find the internship • Go to http://www.uwrf.edu/CBE/Internships.cfm • Submit an internship application form. • Provide the following supporting documents : • A detailed job description from the sponsoring organization. Include dates of employment, number of work hours per week, and total hours of internship • A cover letter noting how the internship relates to your academic program and career interests, as well as goals to be accomplished • A current DARS / Degree Progress Report • Gain final approval from the Department Chair. • Register for internship credits

12. To Successfully Complete the Internship • Submit a periodic report upon completion of every 40 hours of work • The Department Chair will make contact with the employer • The employer will submit an evaluation of the student at the end of the internship • Complete a maximum three-page, double-spaced typed report summarizing the internship experience, including how it related to academic course work and learning objectives

13. How Do I Find an Internship? • CBE internship bulletin board • CBE announcements in upper level courses & CBE emails • Guidance from advisor, Department Chair, me • Directly target companies that interest you

14. On-campus interviewing Career Fairs Career Services Hire-a-Falcon Chambers of Commerce LandIt.org Going Global Reference USA Internships.com Professional Associations Book of Lists Targeted job boards to preferred industry (http://www.uwrf.edu/ccs/jobsearch_sites.htm). Central job sites-Monster Newspapers Alumni Association Linked In Internship Search Resources

15. Parents Faculty You Friends Past Employers Network, Network, Network!

16. Networking Protocol • Determine who is in your network • Make a list of “warm contacts” • Contact individuals in your network • Obtain 2-3 referrals from each contact • Follow up on referrals & arrange a meeting • Send a thank-you note • Make networking a life-long activity

17. Develop an Organizational System • Internship advertisements, how you learned about the position, and a copy of resume • Date you submitted application / method of application • Names, dates, and times of interviews • Names of people with whom to network • Names, dates, and times of contacts made • Business cards • Dates of follow-up

18. After the Internship… • Reflect on the experience • Follow up with the CBE internship coordinator to ensure you met the requirements • Show appreciation to your internship supervisor • Stay connected • Update your resume & portfolio