Internships
Internships can be an entrance ramp to a great career — but where do I find one, what do I do?
Internships
Internships are almost a standard part of college life for students who hope to graduate and move into the working world.
Did you know two out of three interns get a full-time job offer? To employers, internships are a recruiting tool. Besides hiring their own interns, they hire an equal number of new grads who interned somewhere else, according to a survey of employers and colleges.
Besides the potential job offers, resume building and contacts you can get by interning, there can be other benefits.
- College credit. Many internships earn credit. Just make sure you have the prerequisites and that the internship meets the requirements for credit.
- Money. Many of the best internships come with paychecks — and often far larger than you might get ringing up burgers or jeans. One national survey found undergraduate interns averaging more than $16 an hour. Master’s students got $25 an hour.[i]
- Preference exploration. Check out that career from the inside. What do you like and not like? Some interns discover they want nothing to do with their once-chosen field and take the opportunity to move in a new direction — before they're out the college door and into an unhappy first job.
- Experience. You'll hone skills and develop new ones. You'll get a feel for how things are done, what’s expected, what’s valued, what’s not so important, who’s responsible for what, and more. Working with professionals in an office or in the field, you'll see things from a new angle and learn things you would never learn any other way.
- Self-confidence. Things that might seem bewildering on day one of your internship can become routine as you finish up. You'll come out confident that you can do those things; and that you'll be able to build on them and do even more.
- Interview prep. What you did, what you learned, and whom you worked with in your internship will make great talking points in a job interview. And you'll be more fluent in speaking the language of your field.
- Upgrowth (yes, it’s a real word). You'll be responsible for showing up on time, completing projects, and staying positive in a way that goes beyond your college experience. And you'll develop perspective and maturity that will help guide your education and career decision making.
Read on for tips on:
- Where and how to find an internship
- Tips on getting an internship
- Making the most of your internship
And for information on Oklahoma organizations that offer internships don't miss OKCareerPlanner.com's ...
Internship Inventory
Descriptions and contact information for internships across Oklahoma.
Where and How to Find an Internship
Your best bet for finding an internship is probably at school, but don't ignore the off-campus resources ...
... from the Internet to your own network of friends and acquaintances.
School
Career counselors, professors, department heads, bulletin boards, career fairs, student organizations, alumni and fellow students can be your best sources of leads. They also provide a personal touch that can lift you above the blind applications arriving through an employer’s website. Many companies that don't want to promote their internships to a mass audience use campus contacts as their main recruiting tool. A fellow student who interned last year can open the door for your internship this year.
Networking
Who you know counts. Spread the word about what kind of internship you're looking for. Include your friends, but also reach out to family, coworkers, instructors, professionals in your field, and others. Social networking sites, emails, texts, and actual conversations can turn up surprising possibilities and provide a connection to the right person to contact.
Companies and Other Organizations and their Websites
You already know companies in your field. This is a chance to pursue your “dream” company or to find out what organization might be expanding or undertaking an interesting project and go after an internship there. You can look for ideas on this list of Oklahoma’s largest employers.
Oklahoma Internship Sources
Greater Grads Resource Center — lists internships in the Oklahoma City area, along with other resources for living and working in the City.
Internintulsa.com — lists Tulsa internships and other ways to get involved.
Oklahoma Career Services Offices — contact information for career services offices at Oklahoma state colleges and universities.
National Job and Internship Websites
MonsterTRAK — A division of Monster, MonsterTRAC focuses on part-time, internship and entry-level positions across all industries nationwide.
Internships.com — Search for internship across the U.S. and abroad and find information about your internship search. Requires subscription, $4.95 for a month and $10.95 for a year. Free for University of Oklahoma students.
Indeed.com — Selecting Oklahoma as the “where” and “internships” as the job type yields a long list of possibilities.
One Day, One Internship — On days when it’s all too much, here’s a down-and-dirty look at a single, often obscure, internship that can add perspective to your search even if you're not interested. Tomorrow will bring a new opportunity.
Job Fairs
At school or elsewhere, these offer a chance to make valuable face-to-face contact with internship prospects.
More on Finding an Internship
Locating and Applying for Internships — a brief article on narrowing the field, locating opportunities, and crafting a resume and cover letter.
How to Get an Internship
Start early. The time to get a summer internship generally is during the spring semester. ...
But some summer internships have application deadlines as early as the previous November. And Oklahoma accounting firms were recruiting summer 2010 interns in the early months of 2009.
You also need to make time for some advance preparation. That can include:
- Figuring out what kind of internship to pursue
- Studying the internship market and the companies you plan to target
- Perfecting your resume
- Drafting a cover letter
- Assembling a portfolio that shows what you can do
- Practicing your interviewing skills
Some experts suggest starting three semesters in advance, talking with advisors, deciding what you want to gain from your internship, and researching opportunities.
More on Getting an Internship
Locating and Applying for Internships — suggestions on finding opportunities and concrete tips on crafting your resume and cover letter, from JobWeb.
Top 10 Reasons to Hire Me for the Internship — how to identify the qualities and skills that will help you sell yourself, from JobWeb.
How to Ace Your Internship
While tracking down and bagging the right internship can be a major triumph, the real challenge is still ahead. ...
Now you need to perform on the job and make sure both you and the employer are satisfied with the result.
The Web is full of good advice about making the most of your internship. Here is a sampling, along with links to more.
Be there first. If you're interning in an organization with other interns, see if you can arrive a week or so before the others and stake out your position as the “favorite” intern. How to Take Advantage of Your Internship[i] from Vault.
Display energy and enthusiasm. Top Five Strategies for Making the Most of Your Internship from InternWeb.com.
Ask questions. Everything from when to go to lunch and for how long to questions about how to do your assignments. You never did this before, at least not here, and it’s reasonable and important to ask.
Turn Your Summer Vacation into Resume Riches from JobWeb
Treat it like a real job. This is your opportunity to build your professional reputation and possibly turn it into a real job. Show respect for the organization. Making the Most of Internships from EzineArticles.
Ask to tag along at meetings or other special events. That could include staff meetings, brainstorming meetings, client meetings and other occasions. You'll learn how the company runs and may have a chance to contribute ideas. Making the Most of Your Internship: Stress-Free Tips for the Summer Intern from Suite101.com.
Give people a reason to remember you. Do your job well, make connections with people and stay in touch. Making the Most of your Internship from JobMonkey.
Enjoy yourself. Most internships are great experiences. Don't be so uptight you miss the fun while you're working and learning. Making the Most of Your Internship(s) from Quintessential Careers.
Talk to your school’s internship advisor if the job is lacking. You can expect to get some lowly assignments, but should also expect to get significant learning opportunities. Tips on Surviving an Internship from Job Monkey.