The Five Steps to Find an Internship Department of Career Services University of Connecticut

Definition Internships are work experiences that may be linked to an academic department or completed independently. They offer a concrete way for students to confirm choice of major and/or career while gaining practical work experience.

Overview – The Five Steps Get Organized Conduct Research Website - Search Engines Network/Social Media Utilize Career Services

Get Organized Establish a Timeline Organizational System

What is important to you? Conduct Research - Self Interests Skills Values

Internship Motives: Student Internship Motives: Student Improve and develop skills … gain confidence Career trial within or outside of major Apply classroom learning to work (and vice versa) Build résumé for work or grad school Build professional network Discover industry norms and culture Obtain mentoring guidance Tap into “hidden” job market Earn credit and/or money Increase market value Have fun!! Reprinted and adapted with Permission from InternshipSuccess.com

Conduct Research - Policies Time of year Location Length of internship Credit/not credit Paid/not paid Legal issues ◦Department of Labor guidelines for unpaid ◦Insurance and liability

Conduct Research – Large Business Motives Workforce strategy - talent pipeline (early draft) “Test drive” (low risk) Reduce graduate recruiting time, costs and mistakes Graduate retention (prevent college “brain drain” from markets) Reduce labor costs (no benefits, limited liabilities) “Home grow” (build competency and loyalty) Uphold social responsibility Reprinted and adapted with Permission from InternshipSuccess.com

Level the playing field with large competitors Add productivity to the bottom-line Broaden and deepen capabilities Bring fresh enthusiasm and creativity Boost employee morale (positive energy is contagious o NOTE: Sector encompasses 80+% of job market Conduct Research – Small Organization Motives Reprinted and adapted with Permission from InternshipSuccess.com

Conduct Research – Organization and Industry Industry Company/Organization Research ◦Location ◦Size of organization ◦Mission Statement ◦Profit/Non-profit ◦Hiring Cycle ◦Intern Program – type of experience

Website – Search Engines  Use the internet strategically  Internship search engines and web crawlers  Search firms – paying for placement  Career Services’ internet options  - HuskyCareerLink  See screen shots on the next set of slides to see how to effectively use the two Career Services sites

HuskyCareerLink University of Connecticut Jobs NACELink Extended Job Search

HuskyCareerLink

HuskyCareerLink – UConn Jobs

HuskyCareerLink-Employers

internships.uconn.edu

Search results Marketing

internships.uconn.edu - search museum

Other search engines

Networking - Hidden Job Market 25% of all jobs are unadvertised ◦True - about 70-80% of positions are acquired through networking/hidden job market. I can use LinkedIn to find an internship. ◦True – need to be strategic. It is okay to write an introduction letter to a company president to inquire about an internship ◦True – if your writing skills are superb.

HuskyAlumniNetwork

Career Services’ Role Purposeful résumé Résumé Critique Practice Interviews Career Counseling Career fairs in fall and spring ◦Internship & Co-op Career Fair  February 8, 2012, 11-3, Student Union ◦Careers for the Common Good  February 22, 2012, 12-3, Student Union

Department of Career Services Career Services Hours: Spring 2012 Office hours: M-F, 8 AM – 5 PM Walk-in: T-F, 10 AM – 4 PM. Practice Interviews: by appointment Résumé Critiques: M-F, 10 AM – 4 PM CUE 217,