2008 Woodie Awards
May signals the start of new internships
Almost every college here on campus requires an internship
Jesse Batson
Issue date: 4/12/05 Section: Juice: Life
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As the arrival of May signals the end of classes, the season of summer internships begins.
If you are looking for more than just a part-time job that will take you one step closer to your career goal, then a summer internship may be just the thing for you, according to Susan Frederickson, employment development director at the Careers and Academic Planning (CAP) center.
Communication skills, teamwork, computer knowledge and leadership, Frederickson says, is what employers generally look for in a student intern.
"In surveys -- it doesn't matter what industry the employer is in -- most often the number one qualification they are looking for is communication skills."
It varies by department on whether or not students are required to complete an internship. The grade level of the student is also another factor to consider. Most often, businesses are looking for juniors or seniors to intern for their companies.
"Generally, a student will do that experience the summer after their junior year," Frederickson said. "It may vary some, but a lot of times that is because the employer wants you to have a certain level of study behind you."
You need not worry if you haven't reached junior status, yet. There's plenty of preparation required to attain a summer internship.
"For those who have chosen a major, starting to identify some of those areas that might be related to their field. Even though they can't do a formal internship at this point, maybe they can get a part-time job or maybe they can volunteer in order to get that experience," Frederickson said.
It is also recommended to do research or attend a job fair. With so many businesses gathered in one spot, a job fair offers, "really good opportunities to do some networking," Frederickson said.
Of course, the first step is identifying some of the businesses you would enjoy interning for.
"That's really where they should be kind of putting their thinking caps on because they may end up doing something the first couple of years that isn't directly related to their major," Frederickson said.
If you are looking for more than just a part-time job that will take you one step closer to your career goal, then a summer internship may be just the thing for you, according to Susan Frederickson, employment development director at the Careers and Academic Planning (CAP) center.
Communication skills, teamwork, computer knowledge and leadership, Frederickson says, is what employers generally look for in a student intern.
"In surveys -- it doesn't matter what industry the employer is in -- most often the number one qualification they are looking for is communication skills."
It varies by department on whether or not students are required to complete an internship. The grade level of the student is also another factor to consider. Most often, businesses are looking for juniors or seniors to intern for their companies.
"Generally, a student will do that experience the summer after their junior year," Frederickson said. "It may vary some, but a lot of times that is because the employer wants you to have a certain level of study behind you."
You need not worry if you haven't reached junior status, yet. There's plenty of preparation required to attain a summer internship.
"For those who have chosen a major, starting to identify some of those areas that might be related to their field. Even though they can't do a formal internship at this point, maybe they can get a part-time job or maybe they can volunteer in order to get that experience," Frederickson said.
It is also recommended to do research or attend a job fair. With so many businesses gathered in one spot, a job fair offers, "really good opportunities to do some networking," Frederickson said.
Of course, the first step is identifying some of the businesses you would enjoy interning for.
"That's really where they should be kind of putting their thinking caps on because they may end up doing something the first couple of years that isn't directly related to their major," Frederickson said.