Internships

In many industries spending a few months as an Intern is a prerequisite for full-time employment. In others, it will certainly gives you a head start. While interning, you can be sure you will gain valuable real world experience and practical skills that are not available in the classroom.

We've put together some general information covering the who/what/where/when and why's. Oh, and the how's. ;)

Why Intern?

Devoting yourself to 20, 30 maybe even 40+ hours a week for no compensation (or at least, very little) may seem like a tough assignment, but an internship's value is in all the other things you will learn. Apply for internships at places that will help you grow as a person, help your career and provide you with networking opportunities. Work hard and prove yourself. "Pay your dues" and you will come out on the other end better prepared for full-time employment.

When evaluating internships, ask about the responsibilities that you will have. Some places do take advantage and stick interns on coffee or copy duty all day every day. A reasonable amount of assistant work and the inevitable copy duty is to be expected in any office, especially for an untrained intern. However if you feel bored or unchallenged, do not be afraid to speak up and ask for more work on top of your current 'duties'. After your stellar work ethic has been proven, ask to spend your last few weeks or days working more closely with senior level staff.

When to Intern

Summers are the most popular time for college internships, as most of the positions are fairly structured and thorough. Because of this, positions are often very competitive. If you are able, consider taking a full load of summer classes and applying for fall or spring internships instead. You might have an easier chance at securing your ideal position.

Who should Intern?

Anyone looking to gain experience or transition into a new field. High School seniors, college students, recent graduates and anyone looking to change industries are candidates for internships. Many employers value the opportunity to work with candidates before offering a position, so even if your ultimate goal is permanent employment, consider interning as a foot-in-the-door approach. Make your interest known and then exceed expectations.

If you are thinking about interning, factor in your time management skills. Do not apply, or accept, an internship unless you are prepared to commit to the time required. You may not be getting paid, but you are an employee and must be able to fulfill all duties. Factor in your finals schedule, vacations and any holidays when interviewing. Ask about their policy if you will need to take days off around these events. While employers are generally more lenient with interns about days off, it still reflects poorly if you are missing work too often. Remember that it is easy to earn high marks simply by showing up on time, occasionally working extra hours and rarely missing a day.

Paid Internships

While the majority of internships are unpaid, stipends or other small compensatory payment are often available in some industries. Every office is different, so don't be afraid to ask if there is a stipend. Paid internships often mean they are treating interns as employees. They will often include more responsibility and opportunity for long-term employment. The title game can be tricky, but moving up in one company from intern to staff looks great on resumes and says a lot about your experience with that company.

How To Find Internships

Absolutely check with your school's career center. They will have the inside information of internship programs both in your area and nationally. They will also be able to help you find an internship that can possibly earn you school credit as well.

Go to the source. Many companies and organizations will have information about interning available on their website. If not, a simple call to their human resources can get you started. Everyone loves intern. Many non-profits and large industries depend on interns to fulfill a variety of needs. As such, many institutions offer very organized opportunities.

Run a job search in your local area for available internships. Many internships are posted right along side of full time positions.

If you'd like to travel to a big city or your state capitol, there are many outfits that have internship programs designed to help place students from around the country. Some will even provide housing and other valuable resources. For example, The Washington Center is an amazing program that brings students to our nations capitol to work in a variety of industries, and InternPrograms.com works with students interested in visiting major US and European cities.

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