Finding your dream internship

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Finding your dream internship
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What is an internship?

• Career related work experience, usually full-time
  in the summer.
• A chance to test the waters.
• Not cheap labor.
• Not just grunt work.
• Using independent problem solving skills.
• A chance to learn from a mentor.

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What you can gain from an internship

• Develop apply your skills
• Network gain valuable contacts
• Explore different fields
• Discover your work preferences
• Demonstrate your work ethic
• Possibly earn academic credit, be paid, or both

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Timeline

• Begin your search in November.
• Summer of Sophomore and Junior years are
  excellent times to have internships
• Use the iCenter and network to uncover the best
  opportunities

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Determining Your Goals...

• Focus on your career objective
• Why do you want an internship?
• Where do you want an internship?
• Venture out for a summer
• What do you hope to gain from the internship?
• Patient Contact? Hands on with animals?
• Dont be shy to ask for what you need.

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Two Search Strategies

• 1- Networking Search- few do this!
• Use your contacts
• Create your own opening
• 2- On-line Search- most do this!
• Advertised vacancies
• Apply for actual intern openings
• Much more competition

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Networking to create your own..

• Identify target companies
• What are their needs?
• How can you help?
• Draft a 3 month plan
• Schedule an appointment to discuss your proposal

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Networking with people that might help...

• Career Advisers, Faculty
• Friends, Family, Fellow Job Hunters
• Alumni
• Supervisors and Co-workers
• Professionals
• Clubs/Service Groups

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Be persistent!

• Networking intimidates most people.
• Be a go-getter.
• You will impress your future boss with your
  initiative.
• Could be the difference between an OK summer and
  an amazing summer!

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Networking to land the ideal internship...

• Stand Out!
• Email to explain how interested you are in what
  they are doing
• Ask to meet face to face to learn more and
  describe what you can contribute
• Highlight your skills and qualifications
• Explain your interests outline benefits
• Follow-up!

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A closer look at a vacancy

• North Carolina State Government Internship
  ProgramYouth Advocacy and Involvement Office217
  West Jones Street, Second FloorRaleigh, NC 27603-
  1336http//www.doa.state.nc.us/doa/yaio/yaio.htm
  
• Description  The Youth Advocacy and Involvement
  Office (YAIO), an Agency of the N.C. Department
  of Administration, is pleased to offer internship
  opportunities in virtually all areas of State
  Government to college, community college,
  graduate, and law students who are residents of
  North Carolina. Past internships have included
  introducing visitors to reptiles at the Museum of
  Natural Sciences, working in the Governor's
  office, tracking the nesting patterns of
  loggerhead turtles on Bear Island, and clerking
  at the N.C. Court of Appeals. The YAIO will offer
  75 summer 2005 internships in North Carolina
  state government.
• Qualifications To be considered, students must
  have completed their first year of college, be
  enrolled in a college or graduate school for the
  semester following the internship, be a legal
  resident of North Carolina, and have at least a
  2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
• Compensation Description Interns are paid 8.25
  an hour by the YAIO and work for 40 hours a week
  for ten weeks in June, July, and August. Interns
  do not receive benefits such as hospital
  insurance, paid vacation, or paid sick leave and
  may not work over 40 hours in any one-week
  period. Summer interns will work 40 hours per
  week in agencies throughout the state for ten
  weeks from Tuesday, May 31 (the day after
  Memorial Day) through Friday, August 5.
• Contact Jen Wichman, Ed. M., Internship
  Coordinator
• Contact Phone [phone]
• Contact Fax [phone]
• Contact Email jen.wichman_at_ncmail.net
• Offered Fall   Deadline - Contact YAIO
  Summer   Deadline - January 19, 2005
• To Apply Those interested in an internship
  should submit an application. 2004 program
  application forms are available online
  http//www.doa.state.nc.us/doa/forms/int ern.htm.
  Applicants should specify that they seek a summer
  2004 internship and should follow the directions
  specified in the project book. Please note that
  late applications will not be considered. For
  more information on the N.C. State Government
  Internship Program, please also see
  http//www.doa.state.nc.us/doa/yaio/proj ect.htm
  General contents page http//www.doa.state.nc.us/d
  oa/forms/int ern.htm Internship application
  http//www.doa.state.nc.us/doa/yaio/inte rnbk.pdf

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A closer look at a vacancy
Callaway GardensEducation DepartmentP.O. Box
2000Pine Mountain, GA 31822-2000http//www.calla
waygardens.com Description Interning at
Callaway is an exciting and rewarding experience,
offering unique opportunities for a number of
career avenues in horticulture, education,
forestry, wildlife biology and more. With a staff
of approximately 1,000 full-time and 200
part-time employees, there is ample room to
explore various facets of the organization and to
advance your knowledge and professional goals.
Callaway offers several Internship Programs in
our Horticulture and Education Departments. These
internships are invaluable for careers in Public
Horticulture, Landscape Design, or Environmental
Education. May through August, the twelve-week
programs offer practical work experience
supplemented by classes and field trips. Students
work 40-hour weeks with some evening and weekend
hours required for work and study AVAILABLE
PROGRAMS Education, Environmental Stewardship,
Trails, Entomology, Horticulture
Production. Compensation Compensation includes
an hourly wage of 7.26 and dormitory housing for
a nominal cost. Meals are available at the
Employees Cafeteria, which serves three meals a
day. There are shared kitchen facilities at the
dormitory. Benefits include free admission to
Callaway, access to fitness, recreation and
sports facilities on a space- available basis,
employee discounts in the restaurants and shops
on property, and use of the Education Department
library for research, reading and work in
progress. Contact Patricia L. Collins, Director
of Education Contact Phone [phone]
Contact Fax [phone]Contact Email education
_at_callawaygardens.com Offered Summer   Deadline -
 02/01/05 To Apply Students wishing to apply
for a position in the Callaway Internship Program
should send a resume and a letter of introduction
describing career goals, professional interests,
and reasons for seeking an internship position
to Intern Registrar Education Department
Callaway Gardens, Resort, Preserve P.O. Box 2000
Pine Mountain, GA 31822-2000 e-mail
education_at_callawaygardens.com PHONE[phone]
FAX [phone] Students will then receive an
application form that should be completed and
returned along with three letters of
recommendation. All materials should be submitted
by February 1st. Applicants will be notified by
March 15th.
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5 Easy Steps to secure an advertised Internship...

• Research internship listings
• Create an outstanding resume
• Customize your cover letter
• Prepare for an interview
• Write follow-up letters to thank the interviewers

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Salary Negotiation

• Varies
• One time stipend of 2 to 3K
• Expenses, travel, lodging
• Hourly rate- 10-15 an hour
• Volunteer

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Academic Credit

• Talk to your academic advisor to arrange before
  hand
• Requirements vary based on the department
• Be sure your supervisor understands the academic
  component

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Kick Start

• Skills Portfolio
• Interview
• Resume
• Contacts
• Each of the Kick Start modules will help you land
  the best internship for you! Good Luck!