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INTERNSHIPS: THE ON-RAMP TO EMPLOYMENTA Guide for Students with Disabilities to Getting and Making the Most of an Internship
Andraéa N. LaVant
4455 Connecticut Ave, NW Suite 310Washington, DC 20008
ncld-youth.info
National Consortium on Leadership and Disability for Youth
REFERENCES
Eckel, E. (2010, August 17). The 10 best IT certifications: 2010. 10 Things.http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/10things/?p=1751
Employment Digest. (2007, November 28). Surviving the First Week in a New Job. http://www.employmentdigest.net/2007/11/surviving-the-first-week-in-a-new-job/
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (2005, March 21). Job Applicants and the Americans with Disabilities Act. http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/jobapplicant.html#application
Hansen, K., & Hansel, R. S., (n.d.), The Basics of a Dynamic Cover Letter. http://www.quintcareers.com/
Hare, R. (2008). Plotting the Course for Success: An Individualized Mentoring Plan for Youth with Disabilities. Washington, DC: National Consortium on Leadership and Disability for Youth, Institute for Educational Leadership.http://www.ncld-youth.info/index.php?id=16
Luecking, R., & Fabian, E. S. (2000). Paid internships and employment success for youth in transition. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals, 23(2), 205-221.
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth. (n.d.). Terms in Definitions.http://www.ncwd-youth.info/definitions#name-taxonomy-vtn-term-I
National Association of Colleges and Employers. (2009, October 29). Interns Fare Better in Poor Job Market [Press Release]. Bethlehem, PA: Author.http://www.naceweb.org/Press/Releases/Interns_Fare_Better_in_Poor_Job_Market_%2810-29-09%29.aspx Pink, Daniel H. (1999, August 31). What Happened to Your Parachute? Fast Company. http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/27/bolles.html?page=0%2C4 Potzmann, J., & Guadagnolo, A.(2009). A Guide to Internship Success. Northridge, CA: California State University – Northridge Career Centerhttp://www.csun.edu/career/students/internships.htm
Rhodes, Sallie. (2007). High School/High Tech Program Guide: A comprehensive transition program promoting careers in science, technology, engineering and math for youth with disabilities. Washington, DC: National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth, Institute for Educational Leadership.http://www.ncwd-youth.info/hsht/program-guide
Virginia Tech Career Services. (2010, May 10). Cover letters: types and samples. http://www.career.vt.edu/JobSearchGuide/CoverLetterSamples.html#Sample36
Vogt, P. (2005, November 21). Maybe You Can Get Paid for an Unpaid Internship. http://www.youngmoney.com/internships_seasonal/061/ SUNY Fredonia Career Development Office. (2009, June 1). Researching an Organization. www.fredonia.edu/cdo/j-j6.asp
WetFeet. (n.d.) Defining the Six Most Common Internship Types. http://wetfeet.com/Undergrad/Internships/Articles/Defining-the-Six-Most-Common-Internship-Types.aspx
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENTi
INTERNSHIPS: THE ON-RAMP TO EMPLOYMENT
AGuideforStudentswithDisabilitiestoGettingandMakingtheMostofanInternship
iiNCLD| YOUTH
TheNationalConsortiumonLeadershipandDisability/Youth(NCLD-Youth)isayouth-ledresource,information,andtrainingcenterrunforandbyyouthandemergingleaderswith
developmentaldisabilities.TheprogramishousedattheInstituteforEducationalLeadershipalongsideitssistercenter,TheNationalCollaborativeonWorkforceandDisability/Youth(NCWD-Youth),theprimaryauthorofPavingtheRoadtoWork:AGuidetoCareerFocusedMentoringforYouthwithDisabilities.
Developmentofthedocumentwasfundedbyagrant/contract/cooperativeagreementfromtheU.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices,AdministrationonDevelopmentalDisabilities(Number#90DN0224).TheopinionsexpressedhereindonotnecessarilyreflectthepositionorpolicyoftheU.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices.Nordoesmentionoftradenames,commercialproducts,ororganizationsimplytheendorsementbytheU.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices.
Suggestedcitationforthisreport:LaVant,A.(2010).Internships:TheOn-RamptoEmployment.Washington,DC:NationalConsortiumonLeadershipandDisability/Youth,InstituteforEducationalLeadership.Formoreinformationonthis,orotherproductsdevelopedbyNCLD-Youth,pleasecontactAndraéaLaVantat202-822-8405x127orhttp://www.ncld-youth.info.NCLD-Youthpublicationscanbedownloadedforfreefromthewebathttp://www.ncldyouth.info.
©2010bytheInstituteofEducationalLeadership,Inc.
ThiswholedocumentorsectionsmaybereproducedalongwiththeattributiontoIEL.
ISBN1-933493-39-9
Acknowledgements
AspecialthankstoRebeccaCokleyfromtheWhiteHousePresidentialPersonnelOfficeandGaryGoosmanfromtheUnitedStatesBusinessLeadershipNetworkforlayingthefoundationforthisdocumentandofferingtheirvastinternship-relatedknowledge.ThankstoPatrickCokleyandNadiaIbrahimfromtheU.S.DepartmentofLabor’sOfficeofDisabilityEmploymentPolicyandDavidHalefromtheAmericanAssociationofPeoplewithDisabilitiesforsharingtheirpersonalandprofessionalexperiencesofworkingwithinternswithdisabilitiesandofferingtheirinsightonthecontentofthisguide.ThanksalsotoAmyKatzelforcritiquingandofferinghereditingexpertise.
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENTiii
Introduction to Internships........................................................ 1Chapter 1 Investigating your Options................................... 3 ExploringYourInterestsandExperience................ 3 ExaminingCareerOpportunities............................ 3 GettingSupport...................................................... 5 ConductingInformationalInterviews...................... 6 Resources............................................................... 8Chapter 2 Gathering the Pieces.......................................... 19 Decidingonthebesttypeofinternship................ 19 Gettingoutsideofyourcomfortzone................... 21 Buildingaproperresume..................................... 21 Chronologicalvs.Functionalresumes.................. 22 Usingyourcareerservicesanddisability supportoffices...................................................... 23 Findinganinternship............................................ 23 Writingacoverletter............................................. 25 The“cold”resumeandcoverletter...................... 26 Resources............................................................. 28Chapter 3 Making Way for the Interview............................. 35 Researchingtheorganization............................... 35 Determiningyourgoals......................................... 36 Interviewing........................................................... 37 Followingup.......................................................... 39 Resources............................................................. 40Chapter 4 Doing your Homework – Before you accept an offer................................. 45 Ensuringyourschoolrequirementsarebeingmet.... 45 Makingsuretheinternshipistherightfitforyou..... 45 Gettingtoyourinternshiplocation........................ 46 Fundinganinternship.......................................... 46 Recognizingtheneedtoadapt............................ 47Chapter 5 Preparing for the Big Day – After you accept an offer.................................... 49 Usingtechnologytoyouradvantage.................... 49 Determiningwhotomeetandwhattobring......... 50 Decidingwhattowear.......................................... 50
Table of Contents
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Chapter 6 Now that I am Here, what do I do?..................... 51 Survivingthefirstweekasanintern..................... 51 Creatingaworkplan............................................. 53 Exploringtheorganization.................................... 54 Exploringthecityaroundyou............................... 55 Resourcemapping............................................... 56 Evaluation............................................................. 57 Resources............................................................. 58Chapter 7 Skills for Success............................................... 69 Speakingup:Findingyourinnervoice................. 69 Representingtheorganization.............................. 70 Networking............................................................ 70 Doingyourhomework........................................... 72 Businesscards..................................................... 72 Findingandusingamentor.................................. 73 Navigatingthetransportationsystem................... 74 Takingtimeoffwork.............................................. 74 Disclosingyourdisability...................................... 75 Resources............................................................. 76Chapter 8 That was fun…Now what?................................. 79 Gettinglettersofrecommendation....................... 79 Sayingthankyou.................................................. 79 Keepingyournetworkstrong................................ 79 Reflectingonyouraccomplishments................... 80 Updatingyourresume.......................................... 81 Resources............................................................. 82Chapter 9 Personal Assistance Services........................... 87 FindingaPersonalAssistant................................ 87 Beingtheemployer............................................... 88 Consideringthecost............................................. 88 Determiningyourneeds....................................... 88 Talkingtoyouremployer....................................... 89 Helpfulhints.......................................................... 89Chapter 10 Resources & Publications.................................. 91References ..................................................... InsideBackCover
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT1
Introduction to Internships
Bychoosingtousethisguide,youaremakingaveryimportantchoiceforyourfuture.Foryoungpeoplewithandwithoutdisabilities,internshipinvolvement
isaveryimportantsteptowardgettinganidealjobinyourcareerfieldofchoice.Participatinginexperienceslikementoringprograms,jobshadowingandinternshipsaregreatwaystomakeyoustandoutamongotherjobapplicants.Decidingtoseekoutandcompleteaninternshipwillhelpyouasyoudecidewhattypeofcareeryouwant,dobetterinschoolandultimatelyallowyoutomakemoremoneywhenyougetoutintotheworkingworld!
What is an Internship?AnInternship isanopportunitytoexpandandconnectclassroomlearninginafull-time/part-timesupervised,work-basedsetting.Internshipsarebasedinexperientiallearning,meaningtheyprovideopportunitiestolearnbyactuallycompletingspecifictasks.Thereisgenerallyanemphasisonreflection,orthoroughlythinkingthroughwhathasbeengainedandlearned.Internshipsareintendedtoprovidetheinternwithhands-onprofessionalexperienceinanoccupationalcareerfieldheorsheisconsidering.
Manyemployersseejobapplicantswhohaveinternshipexperienceasacutabovetherestbecausetheyhavedemonstratedthattheyhaveadesiretoworkandgrow.Theinternshipexperiencecanalsoservetogetyourfootinthedoorwithprospectiveemployerswhowouldliketohaveyoudoatrialrunbeforetheyhireyoupermanently.Itisalsoprovidestheopportunitytogrowyournetworkorlistofcontactsbymeetingemployerswhomaybeabletohelpyoufindpermanentemploymentwhenyouleaveschoolandarereadyfortheworkforce.
Evenresearchhasproventhatparticipationininternshipsleadstopermanentemployment.Onestudyfoundthatregardlessofthetypeorseverityofthedisabilityorneedforaccommodations,approximately77percentofyoungpeoplewhofinishedastandardwork-basedinternshipprograminhighschoolwereofferedjobsattheplaceswheretheycompletedtheirinternships.Thecompanieshadactuallymadenopriorcommitmenttokeeptheinternsaftertheinternshipwasover,butchosetoanyway.Atthecollegelevel,resultsarequitesimilar.TheNationalAssociationofCollegesandEmployersreleaseda2009 Student Survey thatfoundthatofthe2009graduateswhohadinternships,23percenthadsuccessfullylandedajobbygraduation.Meanwhile,only14percentoftheotherstudentswithoutinternshipshadfoundjobs.Inotherwords,ofthestudentswhohadjobsbygraduation,morethan2/3hadhadinternships.
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Otherbenefitsassociatedwithinternships,specificallyforyoungpeoplewithdisabilities,include:
• Learningskills,includingcomputerskills,directlyrelatedtojobsinyourcareerfieldofinterest;
• Gainingself-confidence;• Earningapaycheckandlearninghowtomanagethemoneyyou’veearned;• Gaininganunderstandingofthebenefitsofworkandhowindividualeffortcontributesto
acommongoal;• Gaininganunderstandingofhowwhatyouarelearninginschoolisrelevanttotheworld
ofwork;• Learningtousepublictransportationortotravelindependently;• Developingaresumeandobtainingrecommendations;• Learningabouttheimportanceofpunctuality,appropriateattireandprofessional
behavior;• Establishingrelationshipsthatmayleadtootherinternshipsandpermanentorfuture
employment;• Meetingpeoplewhoaresuccessfulinyourcareerfieldofinterest;• Learningaccommodationneedsintheworkworld;• Connectingwithemployeeswhohavedisabilities;• Obtainingcredittowardsgraduationrequirementsasappropriate.
Thereisreallynodownsidetoparticipatinginaninternshipandaddingittoyourlistofexperienceandqualificationsasyouprepareforacareer.Forastudentwithadisability,notonlyarethereopportunitiestogainthebenefitsalreadymentioned,butalsointernshipsprovideanopportunityforanemployertorealizethebenefitsofhiringapersonwithadisability.Thisincludesseeinghowapersonwithadisabilitycanworkindependentlyandasapartofateam.
Ultimately,thegoalofaninternshipiseducation,forboththeinternandtheemployer.Aninternshipisnotfreeorcheaplabor,norisitajob.Althoughinternsarerarelypaid,ifyouviewitfromtheperspectivethatyouaremakinganinvestmentinyourfuture,youwillbereadytotakefulladvantageofthiscareerprepexperience.
Allthatbeingsaid,thepurposeofthisguideisnotjusttotellyouthebasicsonhowtogetaninternship.Infact,themainpurposeistoequipyouwiththetoolsyouneedtohaveacompetitiveadvantageoverotherswhoalsorecognizethebenefitthatparticipatinginaninternshipprovidesbeforegoingintotheworldofwork.
INTRODUCTIONTOINTERNSHIPS
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT3
Chapter 1 Investigating Your Options
Exploring Your Interests and Experience
Whiledecidingtopursueaninternshipisabigstep,figuringoutwhat
typeofinternshipyou’dliketocompletemaybeanevenbiggerone.Thismeanstakingtimetofigureoutwhatyourinterests,skillsandknowledgebasesare.Italsomeansreallythinkingthroughthetypeofcareeryouwantwhenyoufinishschool.Forsome,especiallythosefinishingcollegeorotherprogramsafterhighschool,youmayhaveaverygoodideaofthetypeofjobyouwant.Forothers,thinkingaboutaninternshipmightalsobeyourfirsttimethinkingaboutemployment.Eitherway,seekingoutaninternshipistheidealtimetovisualizeandplanforyourfuture.
Thegoodthingaboutaninternshipisthatyouhavetheopportunitytofigureoutthekindofworkyoudoanddon’tenjoywithoutmakingapermanentcommitment;however,youwillwanttomakeeveryefforttomakesurethatyoulookforaninternshipthatwillenableyoutousewhatyouknowandaregoodat,andwillenableyoutobuilduponthoseskillsandabilities.
Beforethinkingmorein-depthaboutthecareeryoudesire,simplythinkthroughtheinterests,skills,goalsandexperiencesyouhavethatwillhelpyougetaninternship.Activity1A,“ExaminingMyInterests,”intheResourcessectionattheendofthischapterhasalistofthoughtsforyoutoconsidertomaketheprocessabiteasier.Aftercompletingthis,youwillhaveaclearerideanotonlyofwhattypeofinternshiptogoafter,butyouwillalsohaveagoodlistofskillsandexperiencestohelpyoucreateyourresumeandmakeyourselfmarketabletopotentialinternshipcoordinatorsoremployers.
Examining Career OpportunitiesAsmentioned,anotherstepinfiguringoutwhatinternshipyouwanttocompleteisconsideringtheactualcareerfieldyouwouldliketoenter.Thiscanbeabittrickybecausenewcareersareemergingeveryday.However,gettingageneralideaofthetypeofcareeryouwanttopursuewillhelpyounarrowdownyouroptionsandhelpyouthinkaboutthepathyoushouldtake(includingeducation)togetintothatfield.
Activity1B,“WrittenInterestAssessment:CodingInterests,”intheResourcessectionofthechapterwillhelpyouconsiderhowyourinterestslineupwithdifferentcareers.Itwillalsogiveyousomeideasofpotentialcareersthatmaybeagoodfitforyou.
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Afterthinkingaboutthecareeryou’dlike,youshouldthinkmorein-depthaboutthecareeropportunitiesavailabletoyou,specificallyifyouplanonlivinginaspecificarea.Forexample,asmuchasyoumightdesiretobeamarinebiologist,ifyoudonotliveordonotplanonlivingneartheocean,thisisprobablynotagoodcareeroptionforyou.
Fromhereyoumustdeterminewhatskills,includingthoseyoualreadyhave,arenecessaryforthejob.Thisincludesfiguringoutwhattechnical/computerskills,analytical/researchskills,leadershipskills,etc.willberequired.Itishighlyunlikelythatyouwillhaveeveryskillneededtoenterthecareeryouwantatthispointinyourjourney,sodon’tfret.Figuringthisoutnowwillhelpyoufindoutareaswhereyouneedgrowthsothatyoucanthinkaboutthewaysthatyoumightgaintheseskills.Thismightincludetakingclassesspecifictotheskillareaorfindingsomeonethatisalreadystronginthatareaandaskingthemtomentoryou.Asmentioned,muchofthepurposeofaninternshipistodeveloptheskillsnecessaryforyoutogetthejobyouwant.
Youwillalsoneedtofigureoutwhattypeorlevelofeducationistypicallyrequiredforpeoplethatworkinyourfieldofinterest.Forexample,whilemanyemployersdorequiresomelevelofcollegeeducationforcomputerspecialistpositions,oftenthismaynotmeanabachelor’sdegreefromafour-yearcollege.Instead,thiscouldmeanreceivinganassociate’sdegreefromatechnicalcollege,alongwithanycertificationsnecessarytocompletespecifictasks(i.e.theA+certificationthatcertifiesyouasacomputertechnicianandcoverstopicslikehardware,operatingsystems,andnetworks).Ontheotherhand,ifyouplanonpursuingacareerinlaw,medicine,oreveninhigherlevelmanagementoreducation,justtonameafew,youshouldmostlikelyplanongettingagraduatedegreeafteryourbachelor’s.Whenlookingforin-depthinformationaboutaspecificcareerfield,visittheO*NetResourceCenter,awebsitesponsoredbytheUSDepartmentofLabor/EmploymentandTrainingAdministration.Thesiteisagreatplacetolearnaboutcareerfields,specificskillsrequiredforthem,andeven
hasassessmentsyoucantaketofigureoutwhatcareerbestfitsyourinterests.
Althoughmoneyshouldnotbethesolefactoryouconsiderwhenponderingoverthetypeofcareeryouwouldliketopursue,itshouldbeoneofthefactorsyouthinkaboutalongsidetheeducationalrequirements,skillsetneeded,andyouroverallpassionforthekindofworkinvolved.Considerthelifestyleyoudesireoraremostfamiliarwith.Wouldyoubewillingtoforegoluxuriesforacareerinafieldthat,incomparisontoothers,doesn’tpayasmuch?Thenagain,asyouconsidersalary,alsoconsiderthetimecommitment.Whileasurgeonthatisgenerallyon-callmaymakeasignificantlylargesalary,apositionlikethisrequiresmanyyearsofschoolingandevenafterfinishingoftenmeansworkinglongdayswithlittletimeoff.Thoseinteachingcareers,however,generallygettotakeadvantageoftheirstudents’schoolschedules,includingholidayandsummerbreaks.
Finally,whenthinkingaboutyourcareeroptions,whichwillultimatelyhelpyoudecidethetypeofinternshiptogoafter,youshouldconsidertheoverallworkenvironmentthatyoumaybeworkingin.Areyouthetypeofpersonthatpreferstoworkinanoffice,outdoors,orabitofboth?Doyouliketoworkaloneorasateam?Wouldyouliketotravelforyourjob,orwould
INVESTIGATINGYOUROPTIONS
You will also need to figure out what type or level of education is typically required for people that work in your field of interest.
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT5
youratherstickwiththeareayouliveinwhenitcomestoyourwork?Doyouprefera9-to-5workenvironment,whereeveryonecomesinatthesametimeeachmorningandleavesinthesamemannereachafternoon,ordoyoupreferaflexibleworkschedulethatallowsyoutoworkwithinatimeframethatyouselectaslongasyoucompleteyourtasks?Doyouenjoyamorefast-pacedenvironmentwherethereareavarietyofrolesandresponsibilitiesandalwaysmanyprojectstotackle?Or,wouldyouratherworkinaofficewhereyouhaveassigneddailydutiesthatremainfairlyconsistent?Ofcoursetherearemanyvariationswhenitcomestoworkenvironments,andoftentheymaychangesimplybasedontheemployerandnotthecareerfielditself.Again,thesearejustmorethingstothinkaboutwhenplanningforyourcareer.
Getting SupportAfinalimportantaspectoffiguringoutthetypeofinternshipyouwanttolookforisfiguringoutwhoandwhatcanhelpyoulearnmoreaboutyourcareerfieldofinterestandmaybeevenhelpyougettheinternshipyoudesire.First,considertheimmediatenetworkofpeoplethatyoucomeintocontactwithfrequently.Yourfamilymembersandfriendscangenerallybeofhelpinmorewaysthanone.Notonlycantheysupportyoubyhelpingyoufindinformationregardingthefieldyou’reinterestedin,buttheymightalsobeabletohelpyoulookforandidentifyspecificinternshipopportunities.Sometimesfamilyandfriendsmayevenbeworkinginthatsamefieldorhaveacloseconnectionwithsomeonewhodoes,andcanserveasyourdirectpointofcontactforgettingyourfootinthedoorforaninternship.
Afterconsultingwiththoseclosesttoyou(yourinnercircle),shareyourinterestingettinganinternshipwithothersthatyouencounterwhomightbeabletopointyouinthedirectionoftheidealinternship.Thisgroupwouldincludethoseatyourschool,placeofwork,andvolunteer/extracurricularactivities.Inthinkingaboutyourvolunteeractivities,youshouldalsoconsideranystudent/professionalorganizationsthatyouareapartof.The“SupportNetwork”sheetintheResourcessectionattheendofthechapterwillhelpyouthinkmorestrategicallyaboutwhothesepeopleareandhowtoaddressthem.
Finally,considergettinginformationfrompeopleandplaceswhosespecificroleistohelpyouwithyouremploymentneeds.TheseincludeOne-StopCareerCenters,universitycareercenters,andinternship/careerfairs.Althoughtheseplacesaretypicallyusedbypeoplecomingtoaskaboutpermanentemployment,they’regreatplacestogotofindoutwhoyoucanconsultaboutyourparticularcareerfieldofinterest.Oftentheyhavelistingsofinternshipsalongwiththeiremploymentlists.
One-Stop Career Centers provide job seekers with a full range of assistance under one roof. One-Stops operate in all 50 states offer training referrals, career counseling, job listings, and similar employment-related services. To find the One-Stop in your area, visit careeronestop.org.
6NCLD| YOUTH
Conducting Informational InterviewsOneofthemostbeneficialwaystolearnmoreaboutaparticularfieldandlearnaboutpotentialinternshipopportunitiesisbyleadinginformationalinterviews.ThetermitselfwascreatedbycareercounselorandauthorRichardBollesandisaverysimpleconcept,asitjustinvolvestalkingtopeopleabouttheirjobsandaskingthemforadvice.Itisalsoagoodwaytofindoutmoreaboutaparticularorganizationinwhichyoumaybeinterested.Aninterviewshouldincludethepersonwhowantstolearnaboutacareer(thatmeansyou)andapersonworkinginthatfield.Typicallytheylastbetween20-30minutes.
Whenconsideringwhoyou’dliketointerview,considercontactingthesamenetworkthatyouhavealreadytappedintowhenyoufirstexploredyourcareeroptions.Thismayincludefamily,friends,teachers,careercentersandschoolalumniassociations.Inaddition,considerresearchingprofessionalassociationsthatareaffiliatedwithyourfieldofinterest.Forexample,ifyouareinterestedinworkingforanon-profitorganizationtohelpraisefunds,considercontactingtheAssociationforFundraisingProfessionals.Tofindalistingofassociationsthatmaybeofinteresttoyou,visitwebsitessuchaswww.asaecenter.org,thesitefortheAmericanSocietyof
AssociationExecutives,whichhasamembershipof20,000associationprofessionals.Findoutwhethertheyhavemembershipdirectoriesorothermeansofcontactingassociationmembersinyourareathatyoumightconductaninterviewwith.Ultimately,youcouldalsojustcallanorganizationyou’reinterestedinandasktospeakwiththepersoninthedepartmentthatyou’dliketolearnmoreabout.Generallyyoushouldtrytomeetwithapersonwhohasthesamelevelofresponsibilitythatyouwouldhaveifyouenteredthefield.Thismeansthatifyouwouldstartoutinanentry-levelpositionsuchasaprogramassistantorcoordinator,youshouldrequestaninterviewwithsomeoneatthislevel.
AkeyaspecttokeepinmindabouttheinformationalinterviewisthatthepurposeisNOT TO GET A jOB!Thisisthesamemessagethatyoushouldrelaytothepersonyouwouldliketointerviewwhenyourequestthemeeting.Generallypeoplehavenoproblemsharinginformationabouttheircareersandexperienceswhentheyknowthatthepersonseekingtheiradvicesimplywantstolearn.Therearethreemainwaystoaskforaninformationalinterview:throughamutualcontact,byletter,orbyphone.
Mutual contact –Asmentioned,startingbyaskingyourcontactswhotheyknowinyourfieldofinterestisagreatwaytoinitiateaninformationalinterview.Thismaymeanaskingthemtomaketheinitialrequestfortheinterview,oryoucouldaskyourcontactifyoucanmentionhisorhernamewhenyoumaketherequestfortheinterview.
Letter –Sendingaletterisanotherwaytorequestaninformationalinterview.Interviewee’softenpreferlettersbecauseitallowsthemtoreviewtheirschedulesbeforecommittingtoaparticularmeetingtime.Alettershouldincludewhoyouare,thepurposeofthemeeting,andhowlongyouexpectthemeetingtotake.Alsobesuretomentionanymutualcontactsyoumayhave,andthatyouwillfollowupwithacallwithinafewdaystosetupatimetomeet.(SeeSample1Dintheresourcesattheendofthechapterforasampleletter).Whenyousendtheletter,DONOTenclosearesume.Remember,youarenotapplyingforajob.
INVESTIGATINGYOUROPTIONS
A key aspect to keep in mind about the informational interview is that the purpose is nOT TO geT a jOb!
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT7
Phone–Youmayalsochoosetosetupaninformationalinterviewbydirectlycallingapotentialinterviewee.Aphonecalllikethisshouldincludeeverythingthatyouwouldputintoaletter,includingprovidinganintroduction,sharinghowyoureceivedhisorherinformation,andgivingyourpurposeforcalling.
Justascanhappenwitharequestforajobinterview,thereisapossibilitythatyouwillspeakwithsomeonewhoisnotwillingtoparticipateinaninformationalinterviewwithyou.Iftheopportunitypresentsitself,tryaskingwhetheritwouldbemoreconvenienttoholdaphoneinterview.Ifthepersonstillopposes,askiftheycouldrecommendanotherpersonthatyoucouldspeakwithabouttheoccupation.Ifnoneofthesetacticsyieldpositiveresults,kindlythankthemforspeakingwithyouandmoveontoyournextpotentialinterviewee.
Beforeheadingtoyourinterview,youshoulddosomegeneralresearchaboutthecompanytofamiliarizeyourselfwithitswork.Youshouldalsodevelopalistofquestionsthatyouwouldliketoasktheintervieweethatwillhelpyoulearnmoreabouthisorheroccupation.Itisalsoimportanttoaskquestionsthataddressanyassumptionsyouhaveaboutthefieldtomakesuretheyareaccurate.Forexample,ifyou’regoingtospeakwithanattorney,speakwiththemaboutanyexpectationsoflongdays,alongwithchallengesinpreparingforlawschoolexamsliketheLSAT.Yourquestionsshouldaskaboutjobtasks,workingconditionsandspecificstepsthatyoushouldtaketoprepareforacareerinthatfield.CheckoutthesampleinformationalinterviewquestionsincludedintheResourcessectionattheendofthechapter.
Whenit’stimefortheinterview,remembertodresstoimpress.Althoughtheinterviewisnotasformalasanactualjobinterview,itstillpresentstheopportunitytomakeagoodfirstimpression.Agoodruleofthumbistowearsomethingthatyouwouldwearonadayatworkwhenyouhavesomeimportantmeetingstoattend(nottooformal,butnojeans).Alsobringanotepadandpensothatyoucantakenotes.Overall,itisimportanttoshowyourinterestduringtheinterview.Thiswillmakethepersonyou’reinterviewingmorewillingtoshareasmuchastheycan.
Besuretowatchthetimeandpolitelybringittoacloseunlesstheintervieweefeelsotherwise.Atthecloseoftheinterview,endbyexpressingyourgratitudetothepersonfortakingtimeouttospeakwithyou.Thenbesuretoaskthefollowingtwoquestions:CanyousuggestotherpeoplethatIcouldspeakto?MayImentionyournamewhenIspeaktothem?After,doyourbesttosendafollow-upnoteorlettertothankthepersononceagain.
Finally,itisimportanttoprocessandreflectupontheinformationyoulearnedattheinterview.Whatwouldyoulikeaboutthecareer?Whatwouldyoudislike?Doyouliketheoverallworkenvironments?Howcanyouapplytheadviceyoureceivedasyoupreparetolookforaninternshiporbegintowork?Wouldyoubehappyinthisfield?Withallofyourthoughts,makesureyoudon’tbaseyouropinionsononeinterview.Conductmorethanonetomakesurethattheinformationyoureceiveisconsistentacrossthefieldandnotuniquetoonesituation.The“InformationalInterviewAssessment”intheResourcessectionattheendofthischapterhasaformyoucanusetoassesstheoutcome(s)ofyourinformationalinterviews.
“ConductingInterviews”sectionadaptedfromwww.bls.gov/opub/oog/2002/summer/art03.pdf
When it’s time for the interview, remember to dress to impress.
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Chapter 1 Resources
INVESTIGATINGYOUROPTIONS
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT9
activity 1a examining My Interests
Interests, Skills, and Abilities
Inmyfreetime,Iliketo:
1.
2.
3.
Iamverygoodat:
1.
2.
3.
Iwouldliketobebetterat(orlearnto):
1.
2.
3.
Extracurricular and Work Experience
SomejobsIhavealreadyheldinclude(paid,unpaidand/orvolunteer):
1.
2.
3.
Whileparticipatinginspecificvolunteer/extracurricularexperiences,Iparticipatedin(teams,activitiesand/orprojects):
1.
2.
3.
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Career Goals or Areas of Interest
SomejobsandcareersIwouldliketolearnmoreaboutinclude:
1.
2.
3.
Foreachjoblistanytraining,educationoraccommodationsyoumayneedtoconsidertoachieveyourgoal.
Goals and a Plan of Action/Study
Goal: “I want to learn, do and/or get…”
Next Steps: “So, I need to…”
Due Date: “I will do this by…”
Status: “So far, I have…”
ThisdocumentwasadaptedfrombytheNationalCollaborativeonWorkforceandDisabilityforYouthandtheNationalYouthEmploymentCoalition,fundedbyagrant/contract/cooperativeagreementfromtheU.S.DepartmentofLabor,OfficeofDisabilityEmploymentPolicy(Number#E-9-4-1-0070).TheopinionsexpressedhereindonotnecessarilyreflectthepositionorpolicyoftheU.S.DepartmentofLabor.Nordoesmentionofanytradenames,commercialproducts,ororganizationsimplytheendorsementbytheU.S.DepartmentofLabor.
INVESTIGATINGYOUROPTIONS
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT11
activity 1b Written Interest assessment: Coding Interests
Instructions
• Inthetableonthefollowingpage,circleanyactivitiesthatareofinteresttoyou.• Countthenumberofcircledactivitiesineachcolumn(identifiedbycategorysuchas
R-Realistic)andwritethetotalsinthespacesprovided.• Iftherearenottwomainareasthatinterestyou,askyourselfifthenon-chosenactivities
are“interesting”or“veryinteresting.”• Keepgoinguntilthetoptwoareasofinteresthavebeenidentified.• Compareyourcodetothedefinitionsonthefollowingpage.
1 2 3 4 5 6
A Fix mechanical things
Work on a scientific project
Sketch, draw or paint
Work as a volunteer for a
charity
Operate my own business
Operate office machines
B Take a Woodworking
class
Study the stars through a telescope
Play in a band or orchestra
Help others with their personal problems
Serve as an officer of a
group
Computer business figures
C Take an Auto Mechanics
class
Solve a mathematical
problem
Create photographs
Work as a speech therapist
Supervise the work of others
Take an Accounting
class
D Work outdoors Investigate a crime scene
Take an Art class
Work as a nurse
Lead a group to accomplish
a goal
Take a Commercial Math class
E Operate motorized
machines or equipment
Read scientific books or
magazines
Act in a play Teach children Read business magazines or
articles
Work in an office
F Build things Do a lot of thinking
Design fashions
Teach or train others
Meet important
people
Write a business letter
G Work alone Use a microscope
Design interiors
Lead a group discussion
Give a talk or speech
Use a computer
H Tend/Train animals
Do complicated calculations
Read fiction, plays or poetry
Play a team sport
Sell things Keep accurate records
I Pitch a tent Understand physics laws and theories
Attend concerts, the theater, or an
art exhibit
Help others resolve a dispute
Promote or spread an idea
Be responsible for details
12NCLD| YOUTH INVESTIGATINGYOUROPTIONS
1 2 3 4 5 6
J Solve mechanical
puzzles
Interpret formulas
Work on crafts Participate in a meeting
Win a leadership or sales award
Type or use word
processing software
K Plant a garden Learn about a new subject
area
Work according to
your own rules
Are good with words
and talking to people
Take on a lot of
responsibility
Work with numbers
L Read a blueprint
Use computers
Use your imagination to do something
original
Work with young people
Participate in a political campaign
Be very well organized
M Play a sport Perform lab experiments
Write stories and poetry
Plan and supervise an
activity
Convince people to do things your
way
Set up a system
for doing something and
stick to it
R
______
I
_______
A
_______
S
_______
E
_______
C
______
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT13
activity 1b (cont.) Coding Interests explanations
Thetwocolumnswiththemostitemscircledwillindicatewhatyourcodesare.
R______ I_______ A_______ S_______ E_______ C_______
Realistic Investigative Artistic Social Enterprising Conventional
AccordingtotheRIASECsystem,weallhaveamixtureofinterestswithoneortwotypesusuallydominating.Usethetablebelowtofindoutmoreaboutyourcodesandsomesampleoccupationsthatmayinterestyou.Remember,thesearejustafewoftheoccupationsforeachtype–therearemanymoreintheO*NetTMCareerExplorationToolsInterestProfilerhttp://www.onetcenter.org/tools.html.
RIASEC Type Description Sample Occupations
R Realistic
Mechanical and athletic abilities; like working outdoors with tools and objects; prefer dealing with things rather than people
• Carpenter • Truck operator • X-Ray Technician
I Investigative
Math and science abilities; like working alone and solving complex problems; like dealing with ideas rather than people or things
• Chemist • Microbiologist
A Artistic Artistic ability and imagination; enjoy creating original work;
like dealing with ideas rather than things
• Musician • Interior Designer • Actor
S Social
Social skills; interested in social relationships and helping others solve problems; like dealing with people rather than things
• Counselor • Clergy Member • Elementary Teacher
E Enterprising
Leadership and speaking abilities; like to be influential; interested in politics and business; like to deal with people and ideas, not things
• Lawyer • Retail Store Manager • Financial Advisor
C Conventional
Clerical and math ability; prefer working indoors and organizing things; like to deal with words and numbers rather than people and ideas
• Production Editor • Bookkeeper • Data Processor
Source: America’sCareerResourceNetwork.(n.d.).Career Decision Making Tool. RetrievedOctober20,2009fromhttp://cte.ed.gov/acrn/decision.htm
14NCLD| YOUTH
activity 1C building Your Support network
MyVolunteer/Work
Connections:
MyExtracurricularConnections:
MyCo-Workers:
MyTeachers/Professors/SchoolOfficials:
MyFriends:
MyFamilyMembers:
My Inner Circle
Events(CareerFairs,InternshipFairs,etc.):
One-Stops,CareerCenters,etc.:
INVESTIGATINGYOUROPTIONS
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT15
Sample 1D Informational Interview Request Letter
March22,20XX
Ms.GlendaLaneRevolutionaryMarketing,Inc.7432WindsideLanePortland,OR97201
DearMs.Lane:
IamastudentatOregonStateUniversity,beginningthefirstsemesterofmysenioryear.Iamamarketingmajorandhavebecomeveryinterestedintheonlinemarketingindustrysincetakinganinternetmarketingcourselastyear.Yourfirmhasanoutstandingreputationinthisfield.
AsIpreparetograduateinthespring,Iwouldappreciatetheopportunitytomeetwithyoubrieflytodiscussyourfirm’sworkintheonlinemarketingarena.Iamespeciallyinterestedinyourviewsregardingemailmarketingandeffectivewebdesignanddevelopmentstrategies.Anyfurtherinsightsyouhavewouldbegreatlyappreciated.
IwillcontactyourofficetheweekofApril5tosetupamutuallyconvenienttimeforthisinformationalmeeting.Themeetingshouldtakenomorethan30minutes.
Sincerely,
DevinThompson
16NCLD| YOUTH
Sample 1e Informational Interview Questions
ThequestionsbelowcanbeusedduringanInternetsearch,aninformationalintervieworajob-shadowingvisit.Itisnotnecessarytouseallofthesequestions.Considerthecriteriathat’smostimportanttoyouinajob/careerandadaptthesequestionstogettheinformationyouneed.
• Onatypicaldayinthisposition,whatdoyoudo?
• Whattrainingoreducationisrequiredforthistypeofwork?
• Whatpersonalqualitiesorabilitiesareimportanttobesuccessfulinthisjob?
• Whatpartofthisjobwouldyoufindmostsatisfyingandmostchallenging?
• Howdoyougetthisjob?
• Whatopportunitiesforadvancementarethereinthisfield?
• Whatentry-leveljobsarebestforlearningasmuchaspossible?
• Whatisthesalaryrangeforvariouspositionsinthisfield?
• Howwilljobsinthisfieldbechanginginthefuture?
• Isthereademandforpeopleinthisoccupation?
• Whattypesoftrainingdocompaniesofferpersonsenteringthisfield?
• Whatarethebasicprerequisitesfordifferentjobs/positionsinthisfield?
• Whichprofessionaljournalsandorganizationswouldhelpmelearnmoreaboutthisfield?
• HowdoestheexperienceI’vehadapplytomyenteringthisfield?
• Whataretheproblemsinworkinginthisfield?
• Withmyeducation,skillsandexperience,whatotherfieldsorjobsshouldIresearchbeforemakingafinaldecision?
• Howdoesmyresumecorrelatetothiscareer?Arethereanygapsorproblemareas?WhatcanIdotoimprovemyresumeforthiscareer?
• WhomshouldItalktoinordertolearnmoreaboutthiscareer?
Source:AdaptedfromWisconsinJobsCenter.(2002).Informational Interviewing. RetrievedOctober20,2009fromhttp://www.wisconsinjobcenter.org/publications/9407/9407.pdf
INVESTIGATINGYOUROPTIONS
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT17
activity 1F Informational Interview assessment
Usethefollowingquestionstofigureouthowyourinformationalinterviewcanhelpyoudeterminethetypeofinternshipyou’dliketopursue.Youmaywanttocopythisformsothatyoucanuseitforeachinterviewyoudo.
Thebestthingaboutthiscareer/positionis:
Theworstthingaboutthiscareer/positionis:
Themostinterestingthingaboutthiscareer/positionis:
OnethingIdidn’tknowaboutthiscareer/positionis:
Iwouldliketoknowmoreaboutthefollowingasrelatestothiscareer/position:
Icould/couldnotseemyselfinthiscareer/positionbecause:
18NCLD| YOUTH
There are also internships that may be necessary for completion of your college degree, which may require assistance from your university to both find the internship and ensure you receive appropriate college credit.
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT19
Chapter 2 gathering the Pieces
Deciding on the best type of internship
I nternshipscomeinvariousformsandsomeevenofferopportunitiestobepaidfortheworkyoucomplete.Somearejustforonepersontocomeandcompleteapredeterminedsetoftasks.OtherinternshipsarerunthroughprogramsliketheAmericanAssociation
ofPeoplewithDisabilitiesCongressionalInternshipProgram,whichplacescollegestudentswithdisabilitiesintocongressionalofficesinWashington,DCduringthesummermonths.(See“Ch.10–ResourcesandPublications”forlinkstotheAmericanAssociationofPeoplewithDisabilitiesinternshipprogramsandotherinternshipprogramsdesignedspecificallyforpeoplewithdisabilities.).Althoughemployerswilltypicallyhaveasetofgoalsandtasksthattheywouldlikeyoutocomplete,theidealinternshipisonethatwillallowyoutocreateyourowngoalsandworkwithyoursupervisortoseehowthesecanbeincorporatedintoyourdailyactivities.
Therearealsointernshipsthatmaybenecessaryforcompletionofyourcollegedegree,whichmayrequireassistancefromyouruniversitytobothfindtheinternshipandensureyoureceiveappropriatecollegecredit.Youshouldexplorealloftheseopportunitieswithyourcareercounselor,teachersandfamilymemberstogainafullunderstandingofwhatmightbebestforyoubeforedecidingwhattypeofinternshipyoushouldpursue.Youmayalsofindthatyoucanbenefitfrommorethanoneoftheseoptions.
Throughoutyourschoolexperience,bothinhighschoolandincollege,youmayhearavarietyoftermsusedinreferencetointernships.Thesetermsarebasedonthetypeofexperienceyouarelookingfor.Thefollowingarethesixmostcommontypesofinternships.Usethesedescriptionstohelpwithyoursearchandhelpyoudecidewhichtypewouldbebestforyou.Then,talkoveryourthoughtswithyoursupportnetwork:
Cooperative Education (co-op) –Aco-opisathree-waypartnershipbetweenastudent,anemployerandateacher/professororcollege.Itallowsthestudenttogainworkexperiencerelatedtotheirareaofacademicstudyforcredit.Forexample,ifyouareinterestedinstudyinganimalbehaviororzoology,aco-opmightmeangettingapart-timejobatyourlocalzoo.Manycollegessupportco-opsbypartneringwithemployerstoprovideopportunitiesrelatedtospecificcareers.
Field Experience –Alsocalledfieldwork,thistypeofinternshipistypicallyforstudentspursuingcareersinscienceorsociology.Thegoaloftheseexperiencesistodevelopresearchskillsbyobserving,recording,mappingandinterpretingdata.Theactualresearchportionmaybelimitedtoonesubject,suchasmalepenguinbehaviororcross-culturalinteraction,oritmaymeanexaminingavarietyofdifferenttopics.
Quiteoftenfieldworkissaidtobeoneofthebestwaystoapplytheknowledgeandtheoriesthatyoulearnintheclassroomtoapracticaltest.Thebestfieldworkexperiencesbringtogethersupervisionandeducation(lecture,note-takingandobservationbytheteacher/professor)withindependentresearchpractice(creatingaresearchmethod,collectingandrecordingdata,anddrawingconclusionsthatprovethehypothesisiseithercorrectorincorrect).
20NCLD| YOUTH
Practicum –Apracticumisanotherinternshipmodelthatprovidestheopportunityforstudentstoapplytheiracademicexperiencetoareal-worldproject.Studentsworkinteamsorindividuallyunderthesupervisionofbothanemployerandaschooladvisor.
Asamplepracticummightassignagroupofbusinessstudentstoasemester-longprojectinanaccountingfirmwheretheyaresupervisedbyafacultymember.
Settingupapracticumusuallyrequiresmeetingwithyouracademicadvisorordepartmentchairpersontodiscussoptionsofplacesthatwouldmeetyourpersonal,educationalandcareergoals.
Service Learning –Inrelationtoaninternship,servicelearningallowsyoutoworkonorganizedcommunityserviceproject(s).Thistypeofexperiencemightbeorganizedbyyourschoolorcollege,orthroughaspecificserviceprogramornon-profitorganization.
Whenorganizedalongsideclassroomcurriculum,generallyaservicelearninginternshipincludesanoutlineofgoalsandobjectivesforyourtermofservice,performingtheactualservicework,andpresentingconclusions/reflectionsbasedonanalysisofyourexperiences.
Potentialservicelearningprojectscouldincludeassistingwithalocallibrary’sliteracyprogram,workingatashelterforbatteredwomen,restructuringacommunityplaygroundorrunningatutoringprogramatalocalelementaryschool.
Externship –Externshipsareuniquebecausetheyareusuallyveryshort-termassignments.Generallystudentsspendaroundonetothreeweeksobservingandworkingwithprofessionalsintheircareerfieldsofinterest.Thisprovidesanopportunityforstudentstoexperienceatypicaldayonthejobandobservetheworkenvironmentanddemandsofthecareer.
Externshipsaremostcommoninlegalandmedicalprofessions.Pre-medstudentstypicallycompleteexternships,whichinvolveshadowingamedicaldoctorinplaceslikeanemergencyroomorverybusyclinic.First-yearlawstudentsoftencompletelegalexternships,whichareoftenbriefclerkshipswhereintheyhandledocumentsandfilepetitions.
Apprenticeship –Apprenticeshipsaregenerallyofferedfortradesthattakequiteabitofskill.Theseincludeculinaryarts,graphicart,clothingdesign,electronicstechnology,etc.Apprenticeshipsprovidebothpracticalexperienceandin-schooltraining.Theyarepaidandwagesincreaseastheapprenticegainsexperience.Apprenticeshipscanlastanywherefromonetofiveyears.(WetFeet,n.d.)
Setting up a practicum usually requires meeting with your academic advisor or department chairperson.
GATHERINGTHEPIECES
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT21
Getting outside of your comfort zoneDecidingtoparticipateinaninternshipprogramisabigstepandanimportantdecisioningaininganadvantagewhenenteringtheworldofwork.Itcanalsobeamajorstepoutsideofyourcomfortzoneandcanvarygreatlyfromtheschoolenvironment.Manystudentsusetheirinternshipastheirfirstprofessionalworkexperience,andoftenthenewandfast-pacedworkenvironmentissomethingthey’renotusedto.
Gettingoutsideofyourcomfortzonecanbeagreatfeeling.Itgenerallyprovesthatyouarereadyforworkandhavethedesiretogaintheskillstobeaself-sufficientindividual.Itcanalsobeabitintimidatingbecauseyoumaybeunsureofwhatliesaroundthecornerorifyouwillbehappywhereyougotowork.Youmightfeelnervousaboutworkingwithpeopleyoudon’tknowandbeingtrustedwithimportantresponsibilities.However,rememberthatthesefeelingsarenormal,andthatovertime,theseexperienceswillstrengthenyourcharacterandmakeyoubetterpreparedfortheworldofworkinthefuture.Occasionallyyouwillhavetoputyourselfinasituationthatyouarenotusedtoandtakearisksothatyoucanproveyourownabilitytoyourself.
Building a proper resume Whenbuildingagreatresume,itisimportanttoremembertomakesurethatitisbothrelatabletotheinternshipthatyouareapplyingforandoutcome-orientedbasedonwhatyouhavebeenabletoaccomplishthusfarinyourlife.Ifyouareapplyingforaninternshipwhereinyouwillbeworkingasanassistanttoanaccountant,onyourresumemakesuretoincludeanybookkeepingorclassworkthatisrelatabletosuchaposition.Itisalwayshelpfultoshowthattheskillsyoualreadyhavematchwellwiththeresponsibilitiesoftheinternshipyou’reapplyingfor.Donotdiscreditanyofyourexperiences,eveniftheyweren’tspecificallygainedatajobthatyou’vealreadyhad.Ifyouhaveworkedonaproject,completedclassworkorevenservedasavolunteerwithanorganizationthatwouldberelevanttotheinternshiparea,includethisinformationonyourresume.
Dependingonthescopeofyourexperience,therearetwotypesofresumesthatyoushouldconsider.Achronological,or“experience-based”resume,outlineswhatyou’vedonebasedontheplaceswhereyou’veworkedandthelengthoftimeyouwerethere.Afunctional,or“skills-based”resume,focusesonyouroverallskillsthatyouhavedevelopedovertheyears,includingleadershipexperiences,specialprojectsandpositivepersonalitytraits.Afunctionalresumeisgenerallyabetterchoiceforthosewhodon’thaveasmuchworkexperience,orwhohaven’tbeenabletostayatjobslongduetoschoolandotherschedulecommitments.
22NCLD| YOUTH
Chronological vs. Functional Resumes (Rhodes, 2007)
Chronological/“Experience” resumes may include
•name,address,phone/faxnumbers,e-mailaddress;•careerobjective;•education(dates,institution,city,degree/majorspecialties);•employment(dates,company,city,jobtitle,detailsofposition,
descriptionofaccomplishments—includeinternshipsandvolunteerjobs!);
•summaryofqualifications;•languages;•computerskills(programsyoucanoperate);•awardsreceived;•interests/activities;and•references(supervisorsandteachers).
Functional/“Skills” resumes may include
•name,address,phone/faxnumbers,e-mailaddress;•careerobjective;•functionalskillssummary(includesskillsfromschool,positive
personalitytraits,gradesifgood,specialprojects,etc.);•volunteerexperience(dates,locations,city,detailsofposition,
descriptionofaccomplishments—includein-schooljobs!);•languages;•computerskills(programsyoucanoperate);•awardsreceived;•interests/activities;and•references(fromsupervisorsandteachers).
Nomatterwhichresumestyleyouchoose,itisimportanttomakesurethatyourresumeisclear,conciseandleavesnoquestionabouttheworkandaccomplishmentsthatyouhavealreadymade.Anotherimportantpartofyourresumeshouldbeanyvolunteerworkorawards/recognitionthatyouhavereceived.Employerswanttobringwell-roundedindividualsontotheirteamandyoushouldshowonyourresumethatyouareagoodfit.Remember,beforeyoucanevengetintoaninterviewto“sell”yourselfandexplaintoanemployerwhyyouarethebestpersonfortheinternship,theemployermustfirstbelievethatthisisapossibilitysimplybyreadingyourresume.ExamplesofbothchronologicalandfunctionalresumescanbefoundintheResourcessectionofthischapter.
No matter which resume style you choose, it is important to make sure that your resume is clear, concise and leaves no question about the work and accomplishments that you have already made.
GATHERINGTHEPIECES
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT23
Using your career services and disability support officesYouruniversitycareerservicesofficeisanexcellenttoolthatyoushouldusetogainskillstowardfindingemployment.Thesecenterswerecreatedtoassistyouinimprovingyourinterviewingskills,buildingyourresumeandfindinginternships,amongprovidingmanyothertoolsandresources.Theyalsohavemanycommunityconnectionsandcanassistyouingettingincontactwithanemployerearlysothatyoucanstartworkingtowardyourinternship.
Yourdisabilitysupportofficeisalsoagreattoolforgainingadeeperunderstandingofyourdisabilityandwhateffectitmayhaveintheemploymentsetting.Asastudent,youaremostlikelyaccustomedtothetypesofaccommodationsthatareusedintheclassroom;however,thosesameaccommodationsarenotalwaysavailableintheworkforce.Generally,thereareparallelaccommodationsthatcanbemade.Yourdisabilitysupportofficecanalsoassistyouinpreparingforthetime(s)whenyouwillneedtoletyouremployerknowaboutyourdisability.Theyalsomayhaveemploymentorinternshiplistingsthatmaybeinteresttoyou.
Finding an internshipTheprocessoffindingtherightinternshipcanseemlikeajobwithinitself,buttherearemanysourcesthatyoucanusetofindtherightinternshipforyou.Itcanoftenbetimeconsumingtolookforvariousresources,findcontacts,customizeresumesandcoverletters,andparticipateininterviews.Hereareafewplacesandpeopletoconsiderwhensearchingforaninternship:
1. Career services and disability support offices –Bothoftheseofficesatyourschoolaregreatplacestobeginbecausetheytypicallyhavecareercounselors,listservsandemployerconnectionstoassiststudentsinfindinginternships.
2. Major/minor departments and professors–Listsofinternshipsspecifictoaparticularareaofinterestareoftenmaintainedbyuniversitydepartments.Specificfacultymembersmayberesponsibleforinternships,sobesuretocheckwiththem.Inaddition,manyemployersseekoutprofessorsforrecommendationsofpossibleinterns.
3. Alumni office –Oftenalumniwillinformtheiralmamatersofinternshipopportunitiesintheirnetworks.Somecollegesevenasktheiralumnitosponsoranintern,whichisagreatwaytobeintroducedtoanorganization.
4. Internship/Career Fairs –Mostcolleges,andevencitiesasawhole,sponsorcareerfairsatleastonceayear.Thesefairsbringrecruitersandpotentialemployerstogetherintoonesettingtoprovideinformationaboutavailablepositionsandtheirorganizationasawhole.Evenifyouaren’treadytobeginaninternshipatthetimeoftheevent,itisanidealopportunitytofamiliarizeyourselfwithspecificorganizationsthatyoucanlaterapplytoforaninternship.Tofindoutaboutinternship/careerfairsinyourarea,visityourlocalcollege/universities’websites,orvisit www.nationalcareerfairs.com and www.careerbuilder.com,
24NCLD| YOUTH
5. Member organizations/associations –Youshouldalsolookintoorganizationsofwhichyouareamemberorassociationsthatareapartoftheindustrythatyouwouldlikeaninternshipin.AsmentionedinChapter1,agreatplacetolookforassociationsis www.asaecenter.org.
6. Tofindoutmoreaboutothermemberorganizations,utilizeasearchengineandtypeinkeywordsrelevanttoyourfieldofinterestalongwiththephrase“membership.”Forexample,apersoninterestedinaccountingcouldgotoasearchenginelikeGoogleandtypein“accounting+membership.”SuchasearchyieldsinformationabouttheAmericanAccountingAssociationandahostofothergroups.
7. The Internet/company web pages–TheInternetwillalsoopenmanydoorstopossibleinternships,justasitwillwhenyouaresearchingforfull-timejobs.Manycompaniesposttheirinternshipinformationontheirwebsitesandhavethemlistedonjobsearchpages.
8. Government Internship websites –Interningwiththefederalgovernmentisagreatwaytogainexperienceandfindoutmoreabouttheinnerworkingsofthegovernment.Therearevarietyofgovernmentfundedprogramsanddepartmentsthatbringoninternsthroughouttheyear.TheFederalInternshipDirectoryisagreatplacetobeginlookingforgovernmentinternships.Itcanbeaccessedbyvisiting http://www.makingthedifference.org/federalinternships/directory.Afewotherplacestolookincludewww.students.gov,www.usajobs.com,www.dcjobsource.com/fedinterns.html,www.careers.state.gov/internships/,andwww.whitehouse.gov/about/internships.
GATHERINGTHEPIECES
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT25
Writing a cover letterAfteryouhavedecidedwhereyouwouldliketoapplyforaninternship,youthenmustwriteacoverletterrelevanttothepositiontowhichyou’reapplying.Coverlettersareimportantbecausetheyserveasyouropportunitytotellthepotentialemployerwhyyou’reapplyingfortheinternshipandtosellyourselfandyourqualificationsbeyondtheresume.Youshouldnotcreateagenericcoverletterthatyouuseforeachinternshipyouapplyfor.Instead,youshouldtailoreachletterfortheposition.Althoughitmayseemtimeconsuming,writingaspecializedletterwillnotonlydemonstrateyourwritingability,butwillhighlightyourrelevantexperiencethatwillbemostbeneficialtotheorganization.Thecoverletteristhetimetohighlightyouruniqueness,andeventoexplainthingsthatyourresumecan’t(Hansel&Hansel,n.d.).Forexample,ifyouhadagapinemploymentorithastakenyouabitlongerthannormaltocompleteyourdegree,thecoverletteristhetimetoexplainthis,butinapositivemanner.Ingeneral,thepurposeofacoverletteristomakeapotentialemployerorinternshipcoordinatorwanttoknowmoreaboutyouandinviteyoutocompleteaninterview.Coverletterexamplescanbefoundinthe“Resources”sectionofthischapter.
In general, use the following format for writing your cover letter:
DearMr./Ms./Dr.LastName:
Opening paragraph:Statewhyyouarewriting;howyoulearnedoftheorganizationorposition,andbasicinformationaboutyourself.2nd paragraph: Tellwhyyouareinterestedintheemployerortypeofworktheemployerdoes(Simplystatingthatyouareinteresteddoesnottellwhy,andcansoundlikeagenericletter).Demonstratethatyouknowenoughabouttheemployerorpositiontorelateyourbackgroundtotheemployerorposition.Mentionspecificqualificationswhichmakeyouagoodfitfortheemployer’sneeds.(Focusonwhatyoucandofortheemployer,notwhattheemployercandoforyou.)Thisisanopportunitytoexplaininmoredetailrelevantitemsinyourresume.Refertothefactthatyourresumeisenclosed.Mentionotherenclosuresifsucharerequiredtoapplyforaposition.
3rd paragraph: Indicatethatyouwouldliketheopportunitytointerviewforapositionortotalkwiththeemployertolearnmoreabouttheiropportunitiesorhiringplans.Statewhatyouwilldotofollowup,suchastelephonetheemployerwithintwoweeks.Ifyouwillbeintheemployer’slocationandcouldoffertoscheduleavisit,indicatewhen.Statethatyouwouldbegladtoprovidetheemployerwithanyadditionalinformationneeded.Thanktheemployerforher/hisconsideration.(VirginiaTechCareerServices,2010)
26NCLD| YOUTH
The “cold” resume and cover letter
Itmayseemthatthemostpracticalwaytoapplyfororgetaninternshipwouldbetosubmitaresumeandcoverletterbasedonapositionannouncementthatyou’veeitherseenorheardabout.Insomecircumstances,companiesandorganizationschoosenottoadvertisetheirinternshippositions.Thismaybebecausetheyprefertobringininternsthatalreadyhaveanaffiliationwiththecompany(i.e.afamilymemberofanemployee)orliketoreceivedirectrecommendationsfromemployeesandcolleagues.Somecompaniesjustpreferthatpotentialinternsseekthemoutasopposedtoreleasingapositionannouncement.Thisisanimmediatewaytorecognizesomeone’sabilitytotakeinitiative.Moreover,sometimescompaniesororganizationsmaynotevenhaveaformalinternshipprogram,butmaybewillingtobringoneinforasemesterormorebecausetheyareimpressedbyanapplicant’sskillsandabilities.
Becausethisisapossibility,ifthereisacompanyororganizationthatisofparticularinteresttoyou,itdefinitelydoesnothurttosendthemaresumeorcoverletter.Beginbyaskingyourteachers,professors,advisors,andevenfamilymembersandfriendswhethertheyhaveanyconnectionswithyourcompanyofinterest.Ifyoudofindsomeonewhocanassistyouingettingyourfootinthedoor,askthemtohelpguideyouthroughtheprocess,whetherbytellingyouwhotosubmityourresumeandcoverlettertoorevenrequestingthattheysetupaninterviewwiththeappropriatepersonatthecompany.Ifyouareunabletofindanyonethathasaconnectiontothecompany,beginbyfindingageneralphonenumberoreventheinformationforthehiringmanager.Calltofindouttowhomyoushouldaddressacoverletter.Ifyouareinterestedininterninginaparticulardepartment,whenyoucall,bespecificabouttheareainwhichyouwishtoapply.
GATHERINGTHEPIECES
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT27
Yourconversationcouldgosomethinglikethis:
SCENARIO 1:
Receptionist/Hiring Manager: Goodmorning.ThankyouforcallingXYZ.ThisisSheila.HowcanIhelpyou?
You:Hello.Mynameis____.I’mcallingtofindoutwhetherXYZiscurrentlyacceptinginternshipapplications.I’minterestedinapplyingforaninternshipinthemarketingdepartment.
Receptionist/Hiring Manager:Idobelievethemarketingdepartmentiscurrentlyacceptingapplicationsforasummerintern.
You:Great!WillyoupleasetellmewhoIshouldaddressaresumeandcoverlettertoforthisposition?
Receptionist/Hiring Manager:Yes.Addressitto…
You:Thankyousomuch!Haveagreatday.
SCENARIO 2:
Receptionist/Hiring Manager: Goodmorning.ThankyouforcallingXYZ.ThisisSheila.HowcanIhelpyou?
You:Hello.Mynameis____.IwascallingtofindoutwhetherXYZiscurrentlyacceptinginternshipapplications.I’minterestedinapplyingforaninternshipinthemarketingdepartment.
Receptionist/Hiring Manager:I’mactuallynotsurewhetherwearecurrentlylookingforinterns.Asamatteroffact,Idon’tthinkwetypicallyhaveinternshereatXYZ.
You:Ok.WouldyoumindtellingmetowhomIwouldaddressaresumeandcoverletterinthemarketingdepartment,justincasetheywouldbewillingtobringonaninternforthesummer?
Receptionist/Hiring Manager:Sure.SueDavisisthemarketingdirector.Theaddressis…
You:Thankyousomuchforthisinformation.Haveagreatday!
28NCLD| YOUTH
Chapter 2Resources
GATHERINGTHEPIECES
Begin by asking your teachers, professors, advisors, and even family members and friends whether they have any connections with your company of interest.
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT29
Sample 2A: Chronological/”Experience” Resume
PERRY jAMESON1515StanleyDrive#62
Hometown,[email protected]
(913)555-1938
OBjECTIVE Toobtainknowledgeoftheday-to-dayworkingsofacommunications,publicrelations,orpublishingfirmthroughasummerinternship.
EDUCATION CompletedthreeyearsatHometownHighSchool.Graduationdate:May2011.G.P.A.3.85.Top5%ofclass.
EXPERIENCE Newspaper Staff Member,HometownHighSchool
• Aug 2009 - present.Featureseditorofcampusnewspaper.
• Aug 2007 - Aug 2009.ResearchedinformationfornewsarticlesusinglibraryandWebsources.Composedandeditedinformationalarticles,columns,editorials,andadvertisingcopy.
Yearbook Committee Member,HometownHighSchool• Aug 2009 - present.Editor-in-chiefofyearbookstaff.Leaderofdesignand
publicationteamsfrominitiallayoutthroughfinishedproduct.
• Aug 2007 - Aug 2008.Yearbookstaffmember.Experiencetakingphotographs,designinglayout,andwritingcaptionsandsidebars.
RELEVANT HIGH SCHOOL STUDIES Technicalwriting;advancedcomposition;debate;videoproduction;computerclassesprovidingknowledgeofwordprocessing,desktoppublishing,andWebsoftware.
HONORS, AWARDS, AND MEMBERSHIPS• U.S. Media Association Scholarship recipient
Scholarshipbasedonacademicachievement,communityservice,andcampusparticipationandleadershipinhighschoolcommunicationsprojectsandstudies.
• 2010 Best High School Newspaper Design winner CentralStateRegionalCommunicationsContest,sponsoredbytheCommunicationsDepartment,StateUniversity.
• President Future Communicators of America (FCA), 2009 - present Member,2003-present.
*AdventuresinEducation:http://www.aie.org/finding-a-career/sample-resumes-and-templates
30NCLD| YOUTH
Danielle W. Silva
Current Address:115SlusherHall,VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061(540)[email protected]
Permanent Address:1234ForestLane
Frederick,MD20872(301)555-6677
OBjECTIVE CooperativeEducationinternshiprelatedtomanufacturing
EDUCATION B.S.MechanicalEngineering,Expectedgraduationasacoop:May2012Minor:StatisticsVirginiaPolytechnicInstitute&StateUniversity(VirginiaTech),Blacksburg,VA
COMPUTER SKILLS
Software: Languages:AutoCADTKsolver
MiniTabMathematica
FortranVisualBasic
PowerCC++
EXPERI-ENCE
Waiter,Boudreaux’s,Blacksburg,VAFall2010–present• Work20hoursperweektohelpfundcollegeeducation.
Self-employed,Lawncarebusiness,Frederick,MDSummer2009• Solicitedbusinessthroughcoldcallsandvisits.• Increasedcustomerbasethroughreferralsforqualitywork.• Performedallnecessaryequipmentmaintenanceandrepairs.• Coveredallexpensesandyieldednetprofitof$4000.
Server,FamilyRestaurant,Frederick,MD,2005–2008,Highschool&summers• Trainedonandusedexcellentcustomerservicepracticesinfastpaced,work
environment.• Participatedincorporateprogramtoincreasesales;achievedallsalesgoals.• Worked40ormorehoursperweekinsummers;worked15hoursperweek
duringschoolyear.
ACTIVITIES StudentEngineersCouncil(SEC),MembershipCommitteeChair,2008-09SymphonicBand,VirginiaTech,2007-presentBigBrother,BigSisterProgram,2007-2009HighSchoolVarsityVolleyballTeam,2005-2007
HONORS MarylandDistinguishedScholar,HonorableMention,2010ScholarAthleteAward,2009-2010MeritAward,HonorableMention,2008MediaFestival,PhotographyDivision
*VirginiaPolytechnicInstituteandStateUniversity:http://www.career.vt.edu/jobsearc/resumes/formats.htm
Sample 2B: Chronological/”Experience” Resume
GATHERINGTHEPIECES
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT31
ALEXANDER M. MATTHEWS
Local Address123TurnerSt.#5Champaign,IL61820(217)961-2469Email:[email protected]
Permanent Address4097BackCreekRd.Chicago,IL60604(312)512-3167
OBjECTIVE Toobtainapositioninthedesignfield,withemphasisoncontinuingdevelopmentoftechnicalandcomputerskills.
EDUCATION Bachelor of Architecture,May2011UniversityofIllinoisatUrbana-Champaign,Champaign,ILGPA:3.1/4.0Dean’sListlast3semestersChicago Architecture Consortium,Champaign,Illinois,Summer2010• Extensivestudiesofarchitecturewithintheurbanenvironment• ConstructionsitevisitstoChicagohistoricrestorationprojectsEuropean Study Abroad Program,Fall2009• Traveledthrough10Europeancountriesexploringawidevarietyofcultures• Studiedarchitecturethroughphotography,painting,andsketching
COMPUTER SKILLS
HTML,AutoCADR14,AdobePhotoshop,AdobePagemaker,AdobeIllustrator,MicrosoftWord,PowerPoint
DESIGN SKILLS
Sketching,modeling,photographyanddarkroomprocedures,photographicmanipulation,woodandmetalshopexperience,graphicprintmaking,pottery
EXPERIENCE STLV Architects,Chicago,IL,Summer2009• WorkedondesigndevelopmentforRampControlTower,Chicago/O’HareInt’l.Airport• Draftedsiteplans,floorplans,sections,andelevations• CreatedsiteandbuildingmodelsforpresentationsBrown Residence Renovation,Champaign,IL,Summer2008• Workedwithownertocreatenewdesignforhouserenovationproject• CreatedamodelofthenewdesignforownerCrittenden & Associates,Chicago,IL,Summer2006,January2007• Produceddrawingsandcoloredrenderingsforawidevarietyofprojects• Responsibleforalteringred-linedconstructiondrawings,aswellascreatingnewconstruc-
tiondrawingsfromonsitemeasurements.• CreatedaproposalwhichwonamajornewcommissionforthefirmChenoweth & Co., Champaign,IL,Spring2006• Assistedinthecreationofadvertisingcampaigns• Producedlayoutsandgraphicsforprintedadvertisements
ACTIVITIES & AWARDS
AmericanInstituteofArchitectureStudentsHabitatforHumanityVolunteerGammaBetaPhiNationalHonorSociety
*VirginiaPolytechnicInstituteandStateUniversity:http://www.career.vt.edu/jobsearc/resumes/formats.htm
Sample 2C: Functional/”Skills” Resume
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RITA GRAND2349RetnerStreetBerkeley,CA94704(510)399-0102Email:[email protected]
Objective: Internship as a Physical Therapy Aide
SUMMARY
• Volunteerforfouryears,gainingexperiencewithdisabilityissues.
• Completingcourseworkinhumananatomyandhumanphysiology
• Creativelyresolvedeverydayproblemsfacedbydisabledpatients.
• Familiarwithawiderangeofdisabilities,bothvisibleandhidden.
• Long-termgoaltopracticeasaregisteredPhysicalTherapist
VOLUNTEER WORK HISTORY
2009-presentTeacher’s Aide–HARDWOODDAYSCHOOL,OAKLAND,CA• Assistedwithspeechtherapyinclassroomforlanguage…children,asavolunteer,
andoccasionallyasapart-timepaidassistant.
• Helpedcustomizeaspeechtherapyprogramforstudents.
2008-2009Instructional Assistant–PUBLICSCHOOLS,Eugene&Springfield,OR• Assistedinsupervisingrecreationactivitiesofchildrenandadultswithmental
healthneeds,asvolunteeratcity-sponsoredspecializedrecreationprogram
2006-2008Developmental Assistant –EASTERSEALSCHOOL,Eugene,OR• Servedasaphysicalvolunteerworkingwithstudentswithsignificantdisabilities
• Performedbasicphysicaltherapyroutinestopromotephysicaldevelopment
EDUCATION & TRAINING
B.S. Physical Therapy,Expectedgraduation:May2011Minor: Physical EducationUniversityofCalifornia,Berkeley
*ModifiedfromThe Resume Workbook for Adults Entering the Workforce/ A Fill-in the Blanks Guide –YanaParker,2001
Sample 2D: Functional/“Skills” Resume
GATHERINGTHEPIECES
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT33
2343BlankinshipRoadWestLafayette,IN24060317/[email protected]
January12,2011
Ms.SylviaRangeSpecialProgramsAssistantMarionCountyFamilyCourtWildernessChallenge303CenterStreetIndianapolis,IN46278
DearMs.Range:
ThissemesterIamajunioratPurdueUniversity,workingtowardmybachelor’sdegreeinfamilyandchilddevelopment.Iamseekinganinternshipforthissummer2011,andwhileresearchingopportunitiesinthefieldofcriminaljusticeandlaw,Ifoundthatyourprogramworkswithjuveniledelinquents.Iamwritingtoinquireaboutpossibleinternshipopportuni-tieswiththeMarionCountyFamilyCourtWildernessChallenge.
Myworkbackgroundandcourseworkhavesuppliedmewithmanyskillsandanunder-standingofdealingwiththeadolescentcommunity;forexample:
• 10hoursperweekasavolunteerhotlineassistantforalocalinterventioncenter.Aftera50-hourtrainingprogram,Icounseledteenagersaboutpersonalconcernsandreferredthem,whennecessary,toappropriateprofessionalservicesforadditionalhelp.
• Residencehallassistantinmyresidencehall,whichrequiresmetoestablishrapportwithfiftyresidentsandadvisethemonpersonalmatters,aswellasuniversitypolicies.Inaddition,Idevelopsocialandeducationalprogramsandactivitieseachsemesterforupto200participants.
Myenclosedresumeprovidesadditionaldetailsaboutmybackground.
IwillbeintheMarionareaduringmyspringbreak,March6-10.IwillcallyounextweektoseeifitwouldbepossibletomeetwithyouinearlyMarchtodiscussyourprogram.
Thankyouforyourconsideration.
Sincerely,
(handwrittensignature)
StacyLeeGimble
*http://www.career.vt.edu/JobSearchGuide/CoverLetterSamples.html#Sample36
Sample 2E: Cover Letter Sample
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March14,2010
Ms.CharlenePrinceDirectorofPersonnelLargeNationalBankCorporationRoanoke,[email protected]
DearMs.Prince:
AsIindicatedinourtelephoneconversationyesterday,Iwouldliketoapplyforthemarket-ingresearchposition(#031210-528)advertisedintheMarch12thRoanokeTimesandWorldNews.Withmyundergraduateresearchbackground,mytraininginpsychologyandsociol-ogy,andmyworkexperience,IbelieveIcouldmakeavaluablecontributiontoLargeNationalBankCorporationinthisposition.
InMayIwillcompletemyB.S.inPsychologywithaminorinSociologyatVirginiaTech.Aspartoftherequirementsforthisdegree,Iaminvolvedinaseniormarketingresearchprojectthathasgivenmeexperienceinterviewingandsurveyingresearchsubjectsandassistingwiththeanalysisofthedatacollected.Ialsohavecompletedacourseinstatisticsandresearchmethods.
Myexperiencealsoincludesworkingpart-timeasabookkeeperinasmallindependentbookstorewithanannualbudgetofapproximately$150,000.Becauseofthesmallsizeofthisbusiness,Ihavebeenexposedtoandparticipatedinmostaspectsofmanagingabusiness,includingadvertisingandmarketing.Asthebookkeeper,Iproducedmonthlysalesreportsthatallowtheowner/buyertoprojectseasonalinventoryneeds.Ialsoassistedwiththede-velopmentofideasforspecialpromotionaleventsandcalculatedbooksalesproceedsaftereacheventinordertoevaluateitssuccess.
Ibelievemycombinationofbusinessexperienceandsocialscienceresearchtrainingisanexcellentmatchforthemarketingresearchpositionyoudescribed.Enclosedisaacopyofmyresumewithadditionalinformationaboutmyqualifications.Thankyouverymuchforyourconsideration.Ilookforwardtoreceivingyourreply.
Sincerely,AlexLawrence250PricesForkRoadBlacksburg,VA24060(540)[email protected]
ResumeattachedasMSWorddocument
*http://www.career.vt.edu/JobSearchGuide/CoverLetterSamples.html#Sample36
Sample 2F: Cover Letter Sample
GATHERINGTHEPIECES
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT35
Chapter 3 Making way for the Interview
Researching the organization
Y ouhavesubmittedyourresumetothecompanyororganizationthatyouwouldliketocompleteyour
internshipwithandtheyhaveaskedyoutocomeinforaninterview.Congrats!However,there’sstillquiteabittodo.
Firstthingsfirst,youneedtohaveanunderstandingoftheorganizationthatyouareinterviewingwith.Whenyouareintheinterview,youaregoingtobeaskedalotofquestions.Itwillbeimportanttobeabletorelatetheanswersyouprovidewiththingsthecompanyororganizationhasorisdoing,asthisisagreatwaytoshowthosewithwhomyouareinterviewingthatyouareengagedandhaveagreatunderstandingofwhattheydo.Youshouldalsoknowaboutthedivisionorteamthatyoucouldbeworkingwithand,ifpossible,knowwhotheinterviewerswillbe.Justlikeinschool,homeworkisimportant.Themorethatyouconnectwiththepeoplewhoareinterviewingyouandthemorethatyouknowabouttheinternshipthatyouwanttoparticipatein,themoretheorganizationorcompanywillfeelcomfortablewithyou.
Researchoftheorganizationshouldgenerallybeginwiththoroughlyreadingthrougheachsectionofthewebsite.Searchthewebsite,orevenmakeadirectphonecalltotheorganization,toinquireaboutreceivingcopiesofspecificpublications.Ifcallingdirectly,tryconnectingwiththepublicrelationsofficeorpersonresponsibleforexternalcommunications.Tellthatyouwillbeinterviewingsoonandaskiftheywouldsendyouanyprintedmaterialsthatwouldhelpyoulearnmoreaboutthem,aswellasprepareforaninterview.Mentionanyofthefollowingasthetypeofinformationyouseek:
• Annual Report-summarizestheyear’sperformanceandaccomplishments;includesfinancialstatements,fundingsources(fornon-profitorganizations),productsand/orservices,namesofkeypersonnelandanarrative.
• Organization Chart-showsalldepartmentsandhowtheyreporttoandrelatetooneanother;sometimesisincludedintheAnnualReport.
• 10-K Report-adetailedfinancialdisclosurerequiredannuallybytheU.S.SecuritiesandExchangeCommissionforpubliclytradedcompanies.
• Recruiting Brochures-producedprimarilybylargerorganizationsforthepurposeofattractingcollegegraduatestotheorganization.
• Other Publications-in-housenewslettersormagazines,brochuresdescribingservicestoclientsorcustomers,pressreleases,etc.(SUNYFredoniaCareerDevelopmentOffice,2009)
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TheCareerDevelopmentOfficeatFredoniaUniversityalsosuggestsusingthefollowingresearchmethodsforlearningmoreaboutanorganization:
• Libraries – Iftheorganization(company,governmentagency,non-profitemployer)isprominentenoughtogetnewsspace,The Reader’s Guide, The New York Times Index,andThe Wall Street Journal Indexcanhelpyoufindstoriesaboutit.AlsouseInfoTrak,acomputerdatabasethatsurveysmostnewspapers,magazinesandtradejournals.Talktothereferencelibrarianforsuggestionsaboutspecificpublicationsthatmaybehelpful,suchasDunandBradstreet’sMillion Dollar Directory.
• Career Services Offices–Manycareerservicesofficeshouseemployerdirectoriesthatcontaininformationaboutproducts,services,sizeandlocation.Otherskeeprecruitingliteratureandannualreports.
• Professional or Trade journals and Newspapers–Whenyouknowthefieldyouwanttoworkin,makeitahabittoreadtherelatedtradeandprofessionaljournals.Manybooksoncareersidentifytheprimaryprofessionalassociationsforeachfield.ReferalsototheSubjectIndexoftheNational Trade and Professional Association Directory(foundinmanycareerservicesoffices).Makeitahabittoreadlocalnewspapersforinformationaboutorganizationsincommunitiesinthegeographicregion(s)inwhichyouwillbejobsearching.
• People as Resources–Sometimespeoplearethebestsourcefortheinformationyouseek.Thisisespeciallytrueforsmall,localorganizations,privatelyheldcorporationsandsomenon-profitorganizations.Beforeyouasksomeoneforhis/hertime,however,besureyouhaveconsultedthewrittensourcessothatyouarenotaskingforinformationthatcanbeeasilyobtainedelsewhere.
• General Internet Search–Whenallelsefails,makesureyoucompleteageneralInternetsearchbygoingonwebsiteslikeGoogleorYahoo!andtypinginthenameoftheorganizationalongwithanyotherrelevantkeywords.(SUNYFredoniaCareerDevelopmentOffice,2009).
Determining your goalsBeforeyousitdownfortheinterview,youshouldalsotakesometimetothinkaboutthegoalsthatyouwillhaveforyourselfifyougettheinternship.Thesegoalsshouldbeachievableandrealisticforthepositionthatyouwillbeworkingin.Havingthesegoalspreparedbeforeyourinterviewisbeneficialbecauseithelpsyouanticipatetheinterviewer’squestionsandprepareresponsesaccordingly.Itisalsoagoodwaytoreflectaftertheinterviewisovertoconsiderwhethertheinternshipisreallyonethatwillhelpyouachieveyourgoals.Sometimesafteryouinterviewforaninternship,youwillfindthattheinternshipdutiesarenotwhatyoureallythoughttheywouldbe.Ifyougetacceptedfortheinternship,youcanalsousethislistofgoalswhentalkingwithyourbossaboutwhatprojectsyouwanttoworkonwhileyouarethere.Itwillshowthatyouaredeterminedtodoagoodjobandprovideresults,whichmakesyouagoodinvestmentforyouremployer.Mostlikelyyouwillcreatemoreconcretegoalsonceyoubeginyourinternshipandhaveabetterunderstandingofwhatyouwillspecificallybeworkingon,butpreparingsomepriortoisagoodplacetostart.Usethe“MyInternshipGoals”worksheetintheResourcessectionofthechapter.
Before you sit down for the interview, you should also take some time to think about the goals that you will have for yourself if you get the internship.
MAKEWAYFORTHEINTERVIEW
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT37
InterviewingThetwomostcommontypesofinterviewsthatyouwillhaveforaninternshipareatelephoneand/orin-personinterview.Itistypicallymorecost-effectiveforemployerstoholdtelephoneinterviewswheninternshipcandidatesareinalocationfarfromwheretheinternshipwilltakeplace.Ifyouareclosetotheinternshiplocation,thecompanyororganizationwilltypicallyaskforanin-personinterview.
In-personinterviewscanbeone-on-oneorinapanelsetting.Thismeansthatyoumaybemeetingwitheitheronepersonoragroupofpeopleduringtheinterview.Whetheryourinterviewisin-personorbyatelephone,itisimportanttomakesurethatyouareconfidentandpreparedtotalkaboutyourselfandwhatyouwillbringtothecompany.Agoodwaytoprepareisbycompletingmockinterviewseitherwithacareercounseloratyourschool’scareerservicesofficeorwithateacher.Thesearetypicallydonejustasarealinterviewwouldbeandwillenableyoutoreceiveconstructivefeedbacktohelpasyougetreadyforthe“realthing.”
Ifyourinterviewisin-person,makesuretobringcopiesofyourresumeforthepeoplewhowillbeinterviewingyou.Youcan’tpresumethattheywillhaveacopyorhaveevenseenyourresumeaheadoftime.Thisalsoprovidestheopportunitytoupdateyourresumeifsomethingoccursinbetweenthetimewhenyouinitiallysentinyourresumeandthedayoftheinterview.Ifyouareinterviewingoverthephone,youshouldmakesuretoemailyourresumetoyourcontactpersonatthecompanyororganizationsothatthosecompletingtheinterviewwillhaveanupdatedelectroniccopy.ItisimportanttoknowthattheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActallowsyoutorequestaccommodationsduringtheapplicationprocessandfortheinterviewifnecessary(EqualEmploymentOpportunityCommission,2005).Itisbesttoonlyrequesttheaccommodationsthatyouneedfortheinterview,notalloftheaccommodationsthatyoumayneedfortheinternship.Theimportantthingtohighlightwheninterviewingisyourabilitytodothejobwell.Youcantakecareoftheadditionaldetailsafterbeinghired.
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TheEqualEmploymentOpportunitiesCommissionprovidesthefollowinginformationonrequestingaccommodationsforaninterview:
Reasonableaccommodationcantakemanyforms.Onesthatmaybeneededduringthehiringprocessinclude(butarenotlimitedto):• providingwrittenmaterialsinaccessibleformats,suchaslargeprint,braille,or
audiotape;• providingreadersorsignlanguageinterpreters;• ensuringthatrecruitment,interviews,testsandothercomponentsoftheapplication
processareheldinaccessiblelocations;• providingormodifyingequipmentordevices;• adjustingormodifyingapplicationpoliciesandprocedures.
Example: John is blind and applies for a job as a customer service representative. John could perform this job with assistive technology, such as a program that reads information on the screen. If the company wishes to have John demonstrate his ability to use the computer, it must provide appropriate assistive technology as a reasonable accommodation.
Example: An employer requires job applicants to line up outside its facility to apply for a job, a process that could take several hours. Tara has multiple sclerosis and that makes her unable to tolerate prolonged exposure to temperatures in the 90s. Tara therefore requests that she be allowed to wait indoors where it is air conditioned until the human resources department is ready to take her application. The employer would need to modify its hiring procedure to accommodate Tara.(EqualEmploymentOpportunityCommission,2005)
Finally,itisimportanttobothtakenotesduringyourinterviewandaskquestions.Takingnotesisgoodbecauseitdisplaysyourattentiontodetailandyourunderstandingofwhat’sbeingshared.
Itisalsofinetobringalongalistofquestionstoaskthepeopleyouareinterviewingwith.Infact,askingappropriatequestionsduringaninterviewisoftenappreciated,asthoseinterviewingyouwillrecognizeyourinterestandwillseethatyouhavedoneyourhomeworkbeforecomingin.However,youmustbecareful.Askingtoomanyquestionscanbeabitoverwhelmingfortheinterviewer,andmaysometimesappearasifyoudon’thaveastronggraspontheoverallmissionoftheorganizationortherolethatyouwillbeplaying.Itisalwaysbesttodopracticeinterviewswithacareercounseloror
teachersothatyoucanfeelouttheappropriatetimestoaskaquestionduringaninterview.Sometimesyouwillfindthatinterviewerswouldprefernottobeinterrupted,astheywanttogetthroughtheirlistofquestionsbeforeyouaskyours.
Eitherway,youshouldalwaysbereadywithquestionsattheendoftheinterviewthatfollowuponwhatwasstatedduringyourconversation.Thiswillreallyshowtheinterviewersthatyouwerepayingattentionduringtheinterviewandthatyouhavestronganalyticalskills.Immediately,itshowsthatyouhavetheabilitytolistenandanswerquestionswhilealsoformulatingyourownquestions.Whatagreatskilltohave!
Asking too many questions can be a bit overwhelming for the interviewer, and may sometimes appear as if you don’t have a strong grasp on the overall mission of the organization or the role that you will be playing.
MAKEWAYFORTHEINTERVIEW
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT39
Intheresourcessectionofthisguide,youwillfindinformationonsampleinterviewquestionsfromtheRegionalInternshipCenterofSouthwesternPennsylvania.Thesequestionsareagreatwaytopreparefortheinternshipandtoseewhattypesofquestionsanemployermightaskyouduringtheinterview.Thisinformationislistedunder“Interviewing 101: General Questions to Expect from the Employer.”
Following UpAftercompletinganinterview,followingupaboutapotentialinternshipopportunityispossiblyjustasimportantastheinterviewitself.Withinnomorethantwobusinessdays,youshouldsendathankyounoteorcardtothoseyouinterviewedwith,oratleasttoyourmainpointofcontact.Thisiscriticalforavarietyofreasons,includingthefollowing:
• Allowsyoutoshowappreciationforthecompany’sinterestinyou.• Reiteratesyourinterestinthecompanyandthepositionforwhichyouinterviewed.• Providesanopportunityforyoutogooverorremindtheinterviewer(s)ofyour
qualifications.• Allowsyoutoprovideanynecessaryfollow-upinformationtheinterviewer(s)mayhave
requestedofyou.
Intoday’stechnology-drivensociety,youwillmostlikelybetemptedtosendyourthankyounoteviaemail.Whilethisiscertainlyappropriateincertaincircumstances,especiallywhenemailhasbeenyourprimarymeansofcontactwiththeemployer,oryourpointofcontacthasrequestedthatyouspecificallymaintaincontactinthatmanner,sendingahandwrittencopyofyournoteisgenerallyconsideredmorepersonal.Somepeoplemaychoosetosendatype-writtenhardcopyoftheirthankyounote(especiallyiftheirhandwritingisn’tsogreat),sothisisanoptionaswell.Visittheresourcessectionofthischapterforsamplethankyouletters.
Whenyouinitiallycompletedtheinterview,theemployershouldhaveletyouknowwhen,bywhom,andinwhatmanneryouwouldbehearingfromthemregardingtheposition.Ifyouhavenotheardbackaboutyourpotentialinternshipafteraweek,itisappropriatetopolitelyinquireviaphoneoremailaboutthestatusoftheorganization’sdecision-makingprocess.Whenyoucontactthemtofindoutaboutthestatusofyourapplication,besuretomentionthenameofthepersonyouinterviewedwith,thetimeandplaceoftheinterview,andthepositionyouappliedfor.
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Chapter 3 Resources
MAKEWAYFORTHEINTERVIEW
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT41
Ifeelthatnowisthetimeformetodoaninternshipbecause:
Myspecificcareerinterestsare:
Myspecificcareergoalsare:
Myidealworkenvironmentwouldinclude:(Example:Smalloffice,flexibleworkschedule,team-oriented)
Theideallocationforaninternshipwouldbe:
Iamlookingforaninternshipthatis:(Circle)Paid/Unpaid/ForSchoolCredit
Incompletinganinternship,Iwouldliketogainthefollowingskills:(Example:Organizationalskills,problem-solvingskills,technicalskills)
Incompletinganinternship,Iwouldliketohavethefollowingexperiences:(Example:Gettoattendnetworkingevents;Gettoparticipateinstaffmeetings)
Incompletinganinternship,Iwouldliketocompleteassignmentssuchas:(Example:Attendclientmeetingsandparticipateinnegotiations;Reviewandanalyzecontracts)
Activity 3A - My Internship Goals
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1225WarrenStreetConcord,NH03301(603)228–1919August2,20––HenryP.Clandin,Esq.Grolsh&Donner,P.A.671FirstStreetBoston,MA02145DearMr.Clandin:ThankyoufortakingthetimetomeetwithmeinAtlanta.Myinterestinworkingforyouhasonlygrownafterlearningmoreaboutyourfirm’sworkinadmiraltylawandyoursummerassociateprogram.Ifyouwouldlikeanyadditionalmaterialtohelpyouevaluatemyapplication,pleaseletmeknow.Ilookforwardtohearingfromyousoon.Sincerely,Patrice Franklin
Revised from Franklin Pierce Law Center -http://www.piercelaw.edu/careertoolkit/interview-thank-you.php
Sample 3B – Interview Thank You Letter
MAKEWAYFORTHEINTERVIEW
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT43
12489LantinStreetManchester,NH03101603.664.5980SheilaBennett,AccountExecutiveFiveandNineMarketing28ThorntonStreetConcord,NH03301June11,20––DearMs.Bennett:Itwasapleasuremeetingwithyouandexperiencingtheopportunityyouhavetooffer.Iappreciateandthankyouforprovidingmewiththetimetointerviewforthischancetobecomeyourmarketinginternthissummer.Sinceourmeeting,myinterestandexcitementaboutthepositionhasonlyintensified.IfeelasthoughIhaveathoroughunderstandingoftherequirementsandresponsibilities,aswellasanewappreciationforthechallengesandopportunitiesthatthispositionaffords.Iamparticularlyimpressedwiththerangeofworkyouperform,andthevarietyofclientsyouserve.Iamconfidentthatmywide–rangingskillsetandexperiencewillenablemetomakeavaluablecontributiontoyourteam.
IhopeIwasabletoprovideyouwithsufficientinformationaboutmyqualificationsandexperiencetogiveyouaclearpictureofwhatIhavetoofferyou.Ifyouhaveanyotherquestions,pleasefeelfreetocallme.Thankyouagainforyourtimeandconsideration.Sincerely,JacobArdys
Revised from Franklin Pierce Law Center - http://www.piercelaw.edu/careertoolkit/interview-thank-you.php
Sample 3C - Interview Thank You Letter
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23HunterDriveSanDiego,CA91901February16,20––BaileyHendersonWebSupervisorSmith&Smith1001E.ClevelandAvenueW.Farmington,NY10005DearMs.Henderson:IwouldliketothankyouandtheothermembersofSmith&SmithforthewarmreceptionIreceivedduringmyrecentvisit.YourinterestinmywebdesignworkwasencouragingandIamfollowinguponyoursuggestions.MeetingwithAlexScott,MarjorieBarry,SamRhodes,BobUmbergerandAllisonReevesprovidedimportantinsightsintothecompany’spractice.Pleaseextendmythankstothemfortheirtimeandtheinformationtheysharedwithme.MyrecentvisitconfirmsmyenthusiasmaboutstartingmywebsitedevelopmentcareerwithSmith&Smith.Yourpracticeareas,theoutstandingreputationoftheaccountexecutives,andthecompany’scommitmenttodeliveringqualitywebsitestoavarietyofclientscreatesanidealenvironmentforprofessionalgrowth.Thankyouagainforyourhospitality.Ilookforwardtohearingfromyouinthenearfuture.Sincerely,
DanaHolt
Sample 3D - Interview Thank You Letter with Multiple Interviewers
MAKEWAYFORTHEINTERVIEW
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT45
Chapter 4 Doing your Homework– Beforeyouacceptanoffer
Ensuring your school requirements are being met
I nchapter1,thevarioustypesofinternshipswereexplained.Ifyouareinadegreeprogramthatrequiresyoutoobtainaninternship,itisimportant
thatyoureviewtheinternshiprequirementsbeforeyouacceptanoffertoensurethattheinternshiplinesupwiththedegreeyouareworkingtowards.
Therearethreegreatwaystomakesurethatyourinternshipmeetstheprogramrequirementsforthedegreeprogramyouareworkingtowards:
• Selectyourinternshipfromapre-approvedlistofinternshipsthatyourschoolprovides.
• Checkwithacounseloratyouruniversitytomakesurethattheinternshipwillfittheprogramrequirements.
• Doananalysisyourselfbasedonyourprogramrequirementsanddeterminewhethertheinternshipyouarepursuingwillfulfillthem.
Afteryouhavemadesurethattheinternshipwillfitwithinyouracademicrequirements,itistimetothinkaboutwhethertheinternshipistherightfitforyouandforwhatyoudesiretogetoutoftheinternshipexperience.
Making sure the internship is the right fit for youAfteryouhavecompletedtheinterviewanddouble-checkedtomakesuretheinternshipfitswithinanyrequirementsyourdegreemighthave,itistimetoreflectoncemoreandconsiderbothwhatyouhavelearnedabouttheinternshipandifitwillworkfortheneedyouaretryingtofulfill.Thisisoneofthereasonswhyitisimportanttobringquestionstoyourinterviewandtotakenotesaswell.Thisprovidestheopportunitytocomparevariousinternshipoptions,ifyouhavemorethanone,andrefreshesyourmemoryonwhatwassaidduringeachinterview.Ifyouonlycompletedoneinterviewforaninternship,eitherbecauseyoureallylikedaspecificinternshipprogramorbecauseitwastheonlyoneavailableatthattime,youcancompareyournotestowhatyouroriginalexpectationsoftheinternshipwere.
Oneofthemajorcomponentstoconsiderwhenreflectingistocomparewhatyouwouldliketogetoutofyourinternshipandwhatyouhopetoofferthecompanyduringyourinternship.Whatiswrittenupinaninternshipsummaryorbrochureisnotalwayswhatyouwillget,soitisimportanttothinkaboutthatafteryouhavecompletedyourinterviewandbeforeyouacceptanoffer.
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Getting to your internship location Sometimesthebestinternshipopportunitiesareinadifferentcity,andpossiblyevenadifferentcountry,thantheoneinwhichyouarelocated.Eventhoughtheoffermaybeareallygoodoneandtheinternshipmayseemthatitwouldprovideyouwiththebestexperience,youalsoneedtoconsiderwhetheryouarementallyandfinanciallypreparedtorelocateforanylengthoftime.Movingcanbeexpensiveandtemporaryhousingcanbeevenmoreexpensive,especiallyincitieswheretemporaryhousingiscommonbecauseoftheinfluxofinternsthatcomeeachyear.Beforeyoudecidetoacceptaninternshipofferyoushouldconsiderhowyouwillgettothecityinwhichitislocatedandhowyouwillcoveryourexpenseswhileyouarethere.Itisdefinitelyeasierifyourinternshipprovideshousingaspartoftheircompensationpackage,butmanydonot.Manyuniversitiesrenttheirdormroomsduringthesummertointernsforsummerhousingandmanyinternsfindroommatesusingtheinternet,whichhelpskeepcostslower.Whenlookingforhousingorroommates,checkoutlocalandcollegenewspapers,communitybulletinboards,andtheInternet.Popularhousing/roommatewebsitesincludewww.rent.com,www.apartmentfinder.com,www.roommates.com,www.ratetheroomie.com,andwww.roomster.com.
Transportationisanothermajoritemthatyouhavetothinkaboutbeforeyouacceptanofferforaninternship.Ifyouaremovingtoanewcity,howwillyougetaround?Makesuretoplanhowyouwillgetaroundinadvancesothatyouarenotdisappointedorinabindwhenyouarrive.Eveniftheinternshipisinyourcityortown,youmuststillconsiderwhetherthecommutewillrequireacarorpublictransportation,forexample.Ifyouhaveadisabilitythatrequiresaccessibletransportation,istheresomeavailabletoyouwhereyouwillbelivingandworking?Willafriendorfamilyneedtotransportyou?Ifso,howmanytimesperweek?
Funding an internshipTypically,nomatterhowbeneficialyoubelieveaninternshipwillbe,acriticaldecidingfactorregardingwhetheryoucanacceptanofferiswhetheryoucanaffordtodoso.Thisisespeciallythecasewhendeterminingwhethertoparticipateinanunpaidinternship.Notonlymightyouhavetocontinuetopayanybillsyouhadpriortobeginningtheinternship,butifyouplanonrelocatingtocompleteit,youwillalsohavetoconsideranynewexpensesyouwillhave.Thisincludeshousing,transportation,food,personalattendantcare,andahostofotheritemsandactivities.
Popular housing/roommate websites include www.rent.com, www.apartmentfinder.com, www.roommates.com, www.ratetheroomie.com, and www.roomster.com.
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Beforemakingafinaldecision,considersomeofthefollowingstrategiesforovercomingtheno-moneydilemma:
• School/University Funding –ManycollegesanduniversitiesaroundtheUShaveestablishedprogramsthatprovidefundingtostudentswhowanttopursueunpaidworkexperiences.Quiteoftentherearealumni-sponsoredinternshipgrantsavailableforstudentspursuingunpaidinternships.Checkwithbothyourcareerservicesofficeandthefinancialaidofficeregardingtheseopportunities.
• Individual Grants, Scholarships and Fellowships –Manynonprofit,religious,business,orcommunity/civicbasedorganizationsaroundtheUSandworldprovidefundingtohelppayforeducationalexperiencesrelatingcloselytoyourcareerfieldofinterest.Checkoutscholarshipandfoundationgrantwebsitessuchaswww.foundationcenter.org.
• Extra Financial Aid/Loan –Althoughcontinuingtoaddtoyourfuturedebtmaynotsoundappealing,youmayfinditworththesacrificetogetadditionalfinancialaidortakeoutaloansothatyoucantakeanunpaid/low-payinginternship.Thisiscertainlyanideayoushouldtalkoverwithyoursupportnetwork,includingafinancialaidcounselor.
• Part-Time, Paying job –Anotheroptionforensuringyourfinancialstabilityduringyourinternshipisseekingoutpart-timejobopportunitiesthatwouldallowyoutheopportunitytocompleteyourinternshipandworkduringyouroffhours.Inthinkingthroughthisdecision,makesureyouconsiderhowmuchyoubelieveyoucanhandlephysically,mentally,andemotionally.Youdon’twanttoendupdoingpoorworkeitherwithinyourinternshiporyourpaidjobsimplybecauseyouarestressedoroverloaded.Youmayevenconsideraskingyourpotentialinternshipsupervisorwhetheryourhourscanbeshortenedormodifiedinsomemannersothatyoucansuccessfullycompleteyourtasksandworkinapaidpositionaswell.
• Bank of “Mom & Dad” –Whenallelsefails,consideraskingyourparents(orotherrelatives)toprovidefinancialassistancewhileyoucompleteyourinternship.Thiscouldmeaneitheraskingthemtogiveyouthemoneyorloanittoyou.Besuretoemphasizethefactthatmakingsuchaninvestmentinyourfuturewillserveasabenefittoyouandtothem(especiallyifitmeanshelpingyougainyourownindependence).(Vogt,2005)
Recognizing the need to adaptBeforeyouacceptanoffer,ifyourelyonsocialsecuritybenefitsasasourceofincomeandyourinternshipispaid,itisimportanttothinkabouthowitmayaffectthesebenefits.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsonhowanymoneygainedfromaninternshipcanaffectyoursocialsecuritybenefits,contactyourlocalbenefitscounselor.Ifyouareinterestedinworkingwhilereceivingbenefits,informationonsupportsavailablefromtheSocialSecurityAdministrationislocatedintheresourceschapterattheendofthisguide.
Anotherthingthatyouhavetoconsideristhegeographicallocationthatyourinternshipisgoingtobein.IfyouarefromaruraltownandtheinternshipisinanurbancitylikeChicago,haveyoupreparedyourselftoliveandworkinabigcity?Thesamequestionappliesifyouaremorefamiliarwithbig-citylifesuchasthatofNewYork,yetyouplanoninterninginasmalltown.
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Itisequallyasimportanttoconsiderthelocation’sclimate.Dependingonthetimeofyearduringwhichyouwillcompleteyourinternship,yourwillingnessorabilitytohandledifferenttypesofweathermayplayakeyroleinyourdecision.Moreover,considerwhatkindsofinclementweatheryouwouldbewillingtoendure.Ifyoudecidetoparticipateinafallsemesterinternshipinanortherncity,willyoubewillingtocopewithsnowandice?Ifyoutakeasummerinternshipinacitythatreceivesquiteabitofrain,willyoubewillingtoendurethisforaseason?
Itisgoodtoexperiencenewthingsduringyourinternship,andparticipatinginaninternshipinadifferentcityisagreatwaytodothat.Simplymakesurethatyouunderstandthechangesyoumaypotentiallyexperiencebeforeyouacceptanoffersothatyouwillbeprepared.
DOINGYOURHOMEWORK
Typically, no matter how beneficial you believe an internship will be, a critical deciding factor regarding whether you can accept an offer is whether you can afford to do so.
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Chapter 5 Preparing for the big Day Afteryouacceptanoffer
Using technology to your advantage
Afteryouacceptanofferforaninternship,itisimportanttobeginlearningthetypesofresourcesyou
canpulltogetherinordertobuildyourownnetworksandquicklygetacclimatedtothecity.Manyorganizationsandtheirstaffutilizevarioussocialnetworkingoutletsandgenericlistservstogetinformationout,bothwithintheirorganizationsandtothegeneralpublic.Itisimportanttolearnaboutwhichlistservsorothertypesofgroupsareavailabletoyouandtojointheonesthatyouthinkaremostappropriate.
Inadditiontolistservsthatareworkspecific,itisalsoimportanttoparticipateinlistservsthatprovideyouanopportunityfornetworkingandsocialinteractionwithpeerswhoarealsointerninginthecitythatyouareinoraremovingto.Thesearealsohelpfultofindthosewhohaverecentlygraduatedandcangiveyouadviceonhowtonavigatetheworkforcesystem.AgreatexampleofthistypeofgroupisHiddenArmyinWashington,D.C.Thisgroupofyoungprofessionalswithdisabilitiesorthoseinterestedinlearningmoreaboutdisabilitiesprovidesoneanotherwithtoolsandresourcestoobtainemploymentandadvanceinwhatevercompanyorfieldtheyarein.Italsoprovidesanoutletformemberstomeetin-personinbothcasualandprofessionalsettings,includingcoordinatingdinnersandparticipatingininformationalsessionstoimproveoneanother’smarketableskills.
Examplesofhowyoucanbenefitfromparticipatinginlistservs:
• Meetsomeofthestaffaheadofyourarrival.• Gainasenseoftheattitudeanddispositionofthecompany.• Startbuildingageneralsenseofcamaraderiebetweenyouandthestaff.• Understandongoingissueswithinthefieldthatyouaregoingtobeapartof.• Accesstovolunteeropportunitiesinthearea.• Findaffordableandaccessiblehousingoptions.
Generallytherearealsolistservsbasedonyourspecificareasofinterestororganizationsthatmayaddressthatissue.Forexample,ifyouhaveaspecificinterestinvolunteerism,thereareavarietyoflistservsthatcanconnectyouwithorganizationsorprojectsthatwillprovidevolunteeropportunities.Thesetypesoforganizationsaregreattoconnectwithduringaninternshipbecausetheynotonlyprovideyouwithanoutlettogivebacktothecommunity,butalsoallowyoutomeetotherinternsorcollegestudentsyourage.
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Determining who to meet and what to bringBeforeyoustartyourfirstdayatyournewinternship,itisimportanttoknowwhoyourcontactpersonwillbe.Youmayhavetobesignedintoabuildingbyastaffmemberandknowingwhotocallwhenyouarrivewillmakethingsaloteasier.Thispointpersonwillalsobegreattoaskanyimmediatequestionsthatyoumayhavebeforeyoustartyourinternship.Forexample,youwillneedtoknowthingslike:Whatisthedresscode?WhattimeshouldIarriveatwork?IsthereanythingspecificthatIshouldbringonmyfirstday(i.e.driverslicenseandsocialsecuritycardfortaxes)?IstherearefrigeratoravailableformylunchifIbringitemsthatshouldbekeptcold?WhereistheclosestbusortrainstopifIamusingpublictransportationtogettowork?
Makesurethatyouunderstandhowtogetfromwhereveryouarelivingtotheofficethatyouwillbeworkinginsothatyouarenotlate.Ifyouarenotcertain,askyourpointofcontact.Thismayinvolvetryingoutyourrouteonadaypriortostartingyourinternship.Ifyoutryyourrouteonaweekendorduringnon-rushhourtimes,justrememberthatduringtheweekwithinspecifictimeframesthecommutemaytakelongerbecausetherewillbemorepeople.
Itwillalsobenefityoutoaskquestionsbeforeyoustartliketheonespreviouslymentionedbecauseitwillshowtheteamthatyouwillbeworkingwiththatyouareorganized,excitedandreadytostartworkingassoonasyouarrive.Showingyourenthusiasmwillonlymakethemallthemoreexcitedaboutyourarrival.
Deciding what to wearWhenyoutalkwithyourpointperson,itisimportanttoaskwhatthedresscodeisfortheinternship.Someinternshipswillrequireyoutoworkoutside,andthereforeyoushouldwearat-shirtandjeans,whileothersincorporateorgovernmentofficesmayrequireyoutodressmoreformally.Whenyoutalktoyourpointpersonaboutthedresscode,youshouldalsoaskiftherearetimeswhenemployeesareexpectedtodressdifferentlythanthegeneraldresscoderequires.Forexample,yourpointpersonmaytellyouthatyouneedtowearashirtandtieordresseveryday.Ifyouaskfurtheryoumayalsofindoutthatonceamonththereisanall-staffmeetingwiththeCEOandmostofthestaffdressinsuits.Ontheotherhand,manycompanieshaveimplementeda“dressdown”day,typicallyonFridays,whenstaffcanwearjeansandothercasualgarments.Ifpossible,itisbeneficialtodressliketheotherstaff,especiallyduringmoreformaltimes,becauseitshowsyouremployerthatyouareprofessionalandcanfitin,whichwillhelpthemdeterminewhethertheywillkeepyouasapermanentemployee,ifthetimecomes.
Ifyourpointpersontellsyouthatinternsarenotexpectedtodressupinasuitatallandthatashirtandtieisfinenomatterwhattypeofmeetingyouareparticipatingin,itmaystillbewisetowearasuittotheimportantmeetingstoshowthatyouhaveavestedinterestinthegoodofthecompanyandthatyouwanttodresstoimpress.Youwillbetakenmoreseriouslywhenyoudresssimilarlytothoseonyourteam.
Itisalsogoodtokeepinmindtheimportanceofdressinginwhatmakesyoufeelgood.Aslongasyourchoiceofclothingdoesnotstrayfromtheguidelinesprovidedbyyouremployer,dressaccordingtowhatmakesyouperformbest.Forsomepeople,thismeanswearingsuitsandtiesordressesandheels.Forothersthismeanswearingdressslacksandbutton-downshirts.Eitherlookisappropriateforthetypicalofficesetting,sodecidebasedonwhatfitsyoubest.
“It is a good rule of thumb not to dress for the job that you have –
but to dress for the job that you want.”
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Chapter 6 now that I am Here, what do I do?
Surviving the first week as an intern
M ostlikelyyou’veheardthephrase,“Firstimpressionsareeverything.”Whilethisisnotnecessarilytrueinallcircumstances,
firstimpressionsarecertainlyimportantwhenyoubeginaninternship.Thewaythatyouhandleyourfirstweekwillguidepeople’sperceptionsofyouthroughouttheremainderofyourinternshipexperience.Ultimately,thesefirstdayshavethepotentialtohelporharmyourfuturewithintheorganizationandeventhefieldasawhole.
Considerthefollowing15tipstohelpyoumakeagoodfirstimpression:
Have a Positive Attitude–Leteveryoneseethatyou’reexcitedaboutbeingapartoftheorganizationandlookforwardtointeractingwithyournewco-workers.
Dress Professionally/Blend in With Co-Workers –Intheworkplace,yourdressandoverallupkeeparerepresentationsofyou.Asmentioned,asyoubeginyourinternship,itisimportanttodressprofessionallyeveryday,evenonthosedeemed“casual”days.Atthispointyoustilldon’tknowwhoislikelytoshowuporwhoyoumightbeaskedtomeetwith(i.e.aseniorexecutive)andyouwanttomakesureyou’redressedtoimpress.
Learn Co-Workers’ Names Quickly–Ofcourselearningnamescanbeabittricky,especiallyiftherearequiteafewpeopleinyouroffice.Themostimportantthingistomakesurethatyoulearnthenamesofthosewhoyouwillbeworkingmorecloselywithassoonasyoucan.Ifyoudoforgetaname,simplyapologizeandaskthepersontotellyouhisorhernameagain.
Ask Questions/Ask for Help – Relax!Nooneexpectsyoutoknoweverythingonyourfirstdaysasanintern.It’sdefinitelybettertoinquireaboutsomethingbeforeyoudoitthentomakeamistakeandhavetogobackandcorrectit.BesuretoLISTENandcommunicateopenlysothatyoucontinuetobuilduponyourlearning.
Take Notes/Go to Orientation–Someformalinternshipprogramswithinorganizationsincludeaninternshiporientationtohelpyoulearnmoreproceduralactivitiesandsystems.Thisincludesgaininginformationabouteverythingfromfillingouttimesheets(especiallyifyou’rebeingpaid)tousingthecopymachine.Evenstill,someorganizationsrequiretheirinternstogothroughthesameorientationthatallnewfull-timeemployeesparticipateintogainmorebackgroundaboutorganizationalrulesandprocedures.Whetheryoudoattendaformalorientationsessionorsimplyspeakwithofficestaffabouthowthingsrunwithintheoffice,it’simportanttotakenotessothatyoudon’thavetorepeatthesamequestionoverandover.
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Don’t Rely on Others to Integrate You –Althoughitiscertainlyimportanttoaskquestions,especiallyrelatedtopoliciesandprocedureswithintheoffice,itisimportantthatyoutakeaproactiveapproachinblendinginwithyourteam.Thismeanstakingtheinitiativetointroduceyourselfaroundtheoffice.Yourgoalshouldbetobeseenasapproachableandsociable,sotrytodemonstratethisimmediately(EmploymentDigest,2007).
Observe –Yourfirstweekasaninternistypicallyyouronlyopportunitytoobservethesettinginwhichyouwillworkclearlyandwithoutjudgment.Usethistimetoobserveyoursurroundingsandtheofficeculture.Thiswillhelpyoufigureouthowyourrolefitswithintheteamandhowtointeractbestwithinit.Youprobablywon’thaveanopportunitytodothisafteryoubecomeengrossedinyourassignments.Youshouldcertainlytrynottomakegeneralizationsatthebeginningbecauseyourimpressionsmaynotalwaysbeaccurate,buttheydohavethepotentialtohelpyouduringyourtimeasanintern(EmploymentDigest,2007).
Be a Self-Starter: Take Initiative –Mostlikelyyouwillnotbegivenalotofworkatoncewhenyoubeginyourinternship.Asyoucompletethetasksyou’vebeengiven,taketheinitiativeandaskyoursupervisorformoreassignments.Don’twaitforsomeonetocometoyou,butinsteadshowyourcommitmentanddesiretohelpandgrow.
Work Full Days –It’simportanttoshowyourdedicationtoyourworkbymakingsurethatyouareworkingtheappropriateamountoftimeexpectedofyou.Nomatterwhetheryourinternshipisfullorpart-time,duringyourfirstfewdays/weeksyoushoulddoyourbestnotonlytobeontime,buteventocomeinabitearlyand/orstayabitlate.Youdefinitelyshouldtrynottoleavebeforethemajorityofyourco-workersleave(unlessyouhavespecifiedhoursthatareshorterthanthoseofyourco-workers).
Establish a Good Attendance Record –Itisequallyasimportanttocometoworkeverydayandestablishagoodattendancerecord.Ofcourseemergenciesandillnessesdohappen,butdoyourbesttomakesureyouareatworkeverydayduringthefirstfewdays/weeksofyourinternship.
Avoid Office Politics and Gossip –Rumorsandgossipareapartofanysocialsetting,includingtheworkplace.Yourgoalshouldbetostayclearofallgossipandtryyourbestnottoassociatewiththosewhodoso.Asaninternyouwon’tbeattheorganizationlonganddonotwanttobecomeinvolvedinissuesthatmaypotentiallyharmyourprofessionalcareer.
Keep Personal Business on Company Time to a Minimum –Studiesprovethatmostpeopleconductsomemannerofpersonalbusinessduringworkhours,suchascheckingemails,payingbills,andonlineshopping.Youshouldavoidthisasmuchaspossibleandtrytostayfocusedonyourassignedtasks.
Track Accomplishments–Oneofthegreatbenefitsofaninternshipisgainingavarietyofexperiencesthatwillbehelpfulinyourcareerandwillbegreatforyourresume.Whencompletingyourinternship,youshouldtokeeptrackofthethingsthatyouaccomplish,especiallysothatyouwillbeabletosellyourselftoyourfutureemployer.Usethe“InternshipAccomplishments”worksheetincludedintheResourcessectionofthischaptertokeeptrackofthem.
It is equally as important to come to work every day and establish a good attendance record.
Your goal should be to be seen as approachable and sociable.
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Show Appreciation –Youcancertainlygofarsimplyshowingabitofkindness.Showyourappreciationthroughoutyourinternshipexperience,butespeciallyduringyourfirstweek.Thisincludeseveryonefromyoursupervisortothereceptionist.
Keep Your Boss Informed– of Everything –Asyouentertheworkforce,itisimportanttokeepinmindthatyourbossdoesn’thavetheabilitytoreadyourmind.Thismeansthatheorshewillnotalwaysknowhowyou’redoingandwhatisorisnotgoingwell.Duringyourfirstweek,youshouldmeetwithyourbossmoretobegintobuildastrongrelationship.Alwaysbeopentoconstructivecriticism,andaskwhatyoucandotomoveaheadorreachyourintendedgoals.(Hansel&Hansel,n.d.)
Creating a work planItisimportantduringthefirstcoupleofdaystocreateaworkplanwithyoursupervisor.Thiswillbeagreattooltousetogaugeyourprogressandensurethatyouaremeetingthecompany’sgoalsforyou.Theworkplanwillalsohelpyoumakesurethatyouaccomplishthepersonalgoalsyoucreatedpriortointerviewingfortheinternship.
Asyoutalkthroughyourplanwithyoursupervisor,makesurethatyouhavebothshort-termandlong-termprojectsonyourplate.Thismeanshavingsomeactivitiesthatmaytakeafewdaysorevenjustafewhours,andhavingsomeprojectsthatyoumayultimatelyspendmuchofyourinternshiptermworkingon.Havingavarietyofprojectsisagreatwaytoensurethatyou’reneverbored!Iftherecomesapointinyourworkwhenitseemsyou’vereachedaslowpoint,youcanfocusonthelong-termprojectsinsteadoftryingtofigureoutwhattoworkonnext.Seethe“WorkPlanTemplate”intheResourcessectionofthischapter.
Afteryouhavefiguredoutwhatyouwillbeworkingonduringyourinternshipterm,youshouldmakesureyouhaveclearinformationregardingwhoyouwillbereportingtoforeachproject.Yourteammanagermightnotbethepersonyouwillbedealingwithonadailybasis,soitisimportanttoalsositdownandtalkwiththepeoplewhoyouwillbereportingtooneachproject.Talkingwiththesepeopleallowsyoutomakesurethatyouareonthesamepagewithregardstoexpectation,justasitwillensurethatwhatyouplanonprovidingiswhattheyexpect.Yourworkplanisalsoadocumentthatisquitelikelytochangeduringyourtimeasanintern.Youmayfindthatyoudonotlikeaprojectatall;inthatcase,youmaywanttorequesttheopportunitytoworkonanotherproject.Yourmanagermayalsoaskyoutoworkonnewprojectsastimepassesduringyourinternship.Agoodteammanagerwillrecognizeyourstrengthsandweaknessesandwillgiveyouprojectsthatwillmaximizeyourstrengthsandhelpyouimprovetheareasthatyouareweakin.
See the “Work Plan Template” in the Resources section of this chapter.
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Makesurethatasyouaretalkingwithyourbossandcreatingyourworkplanthatyoucontinuetorefertoyouroriginalgoalsfortheinternshipandmakesurethatwhatyouwantedtoaccomplishisreflectedinyourgoals.Youmaynotbeabletoreachalloftheminasingleinternship,butyoushouldrequestandworktowardtheopportunitytoaccomplishasmanyofthemasyoucan.Themorethatyoucandoforthecompanyyouareinterningfor,themorethecompanygainsfromhavingyouaroundandteachingyou,andthemoreskillsyougaintomoveyoutowardpermanent,long-termemployment.
Exploring the organizationOnceyouhavesettledintotheorganizationthatyouwillbeinterningwith,itisimportanttogetoutandexploreeverythingthatithastoofferyou.Tosome,thismeansfindingthecafeteriaorthesnackshoporeventheworkoutfacilities,ifthebuildingislargeenough.Whileitisimportanttoknowaboutthesebasics,exploringtheorganizationgoesmuchfurther.
Tobegin,checkthebiographiesofthepeoplethatyouwillhavedailyinteractionwith,andeventhosethatareinhigherleadershippositionsthatyoumaynotseeveryoften.Youshouldalsokeepinmindthatdependingonthetypeoforganizationyou’rein,theoverallorganizationalstructurewilldiffer.Thewaythatanon-profitorganizationrunsisdifferentfromthatofalargecorporation,andthewaythatacorporationrunsisdifferentfromagovernmentsetting.Don’tbeafraidtoaskforaone-on-oneappointmentwiththesepeople.Youwillfindthatasaninternyouhaveanadvantagebecausemanypeoplewillbemorethanwillingtositdownandchatwithyoueitherintheirofficeorduringlunchabouttheircareer.Manytimestheymaysharehowtheyusedaninternshiptogetafootin
thedooratthefirstjobthatstartedtheircareer.CheckoutthesampleorganizationalchartsintheResourcessectionofthechaptertofamiliarizeyourselfwiththetitlesofthoseyouwillwanttomeetwithduringyourinternship.
Thehistoricalandinstitutionalknowledgethatyoucangleanfromsomeofyourcolleagueswillgofarbeyondwhatyoucanlearninaclassroom.Internshipsprovidetheopportunitytohear,seeandfeelhowtheworkofothershasactuallybeenutilizedintheworldaroundyou.Thisistruewhetheryouareataninternshipinacorporatebuilding,federaloffice,non-profitcommunitycenterorapark,justtonameafew.Everyonehasastorytotellandtheyallhavebeenwhereyouaretoday.Theyallstartedsomewhereandworkedtheirwayuptheladder,andbytalkingtothem,youcantaketheskillsthattheylearnedalongthewayandturnitintoSUCCESS!
Itisimportantwhenyouaretryingtotalktopeopleathigherlevelsofleadershipwithinanorganizationtomakesurethatyouutilizetheproperchannelstodoso.Thismeansthatyoumighthaveyourbossoranothercolleaguesetupthemeeting.Thisisnotbecausethehigherlevelmanagermaynotwanttotalktoyou,butitisbecausetheymayreceivemanyrequestsformeetingsandhaveverybusyschedules,soitishelpfulforthemtohaveothershelpthemunderstandwhatmeetingstheyshouldorshouldnotaccept.Havingahigherlevelofficialsetupthemeetingforyouwillprovidetheproperintroductionsothatthepersonyoumeetwithwillbepreparedwhenyoucome.
It is important when you are trying to talk to people at higher levels of leadership within an organization to make sure that you utilize the proper channels to do so.
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Priortomeetingwiththeleadersofyourorganizationandwithanyothers,youshouldmakesurethatyouarepreparedineverywaypossible.Considerwhatknowledgeyouhopetogainfromthemeetingorwhatknowledgeyouhopetoprovidethepersonthatyouaremeetingwith.Thequestionsthatyouaskdon’tnecessarilyhavetocoordinatewithwhatyouareworkingonatyourinternship,buttheyshouldreflectyourdesiretolearnandgainsomeinsightfromthepersonthatyouaretalkingto.Youmayconsiderutilizingthesamelistofquestionsyouusedwhenconductingyourinformationalinterviewswhenhavingtheseconversations.
Exploring the city around youOfcourse,yourmainprioritywhileinterningistomakesurethatyouworkhardandmakeanimpactwithinthecompanyforwhichyou’reinterning.However,itisstillimportanttomakesurethatyouembraceeverypartoftheinternshipexperience,includingexploringyoursurroundings.Manyinternshipstakeyoutoanewcity,whichopensuppossibilitiesforahostofnewexperiences.Talktoyourcolleaguesatworkandaskthemwhattheydoontheweekends.Gooutwithotherinternsintheofficeandrelaxafterwork.Itisimportantthatyouhaveanavenuewhereyoucansafelyblowoffsteamafterworkorcanshareaboutyourexperiences.Relaxationandabalancedlifestyleisakeyaspectofanysuccessfulcareer.
Usingthelistservsorothersocialnetworkinggroupsthatyoujoinedisanexcellentwaytofigureoutthingstodoaroundthecity.Happyhourscanbeagreatwaytomeetotheryoungpeopleafterworkandtheydon’thavetoinvolvealcoholifyouarenotoldenoughorsimplychoosenottodrink.Ifyoudochoosetodrinkduringtheseevents,makesuretorememberthateventhoughyouareoutsideoftheworkenvironment,youstillarearepresentativeofyourorganization.Yourinternaffiliationgoeswithyouwhereveryougo.Thismeansthatyoumustberesponsible.Ifyousayordosomethingthatisinappropriateitwillmostlikelygetbacktoyoursuperiors,whichcouldresultinbothshort-termandlong-termnegativeconsequences.
Makesuretoalsoexplorevariousculturalactivitiesandlandmarksinthearea.Ifyourinternshipisinalargecity,typicallyyouwillhaveaccesstomuseums,theatersandavarietyofotherevents.Ifyourinternshipisinasmallercity,checkwithlocalcolleges,newspapersandwebsitestolearnabouteventsorspecialexpositions.Ingeneral,everycityhasahistoryandlocallandmarks,andmanyofthesesitescostlittle-to-nothingatall.Mostcounties
Using the listservs or other social networking groups that you joined is an excellent way to figure out things to do around the city.
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and/orcitieshavewhat’sknownasconventionandvisitorsbureaus(CVB),whicharedesignedtoimprovetheoveralleconomicdevelopmentofanareabyencouragingotherstovisit.CVBsaregreatplacestofindinformationaboutadestination’slodging,dining,attractions,events,museums,artsandculture,historyandrecreation.Someprovidemorein-depthinformation,includingactivitylistsandtopattractions,blogs,freethingstodoandactivitysuggestionsfortheseason.TofindalocalCVB,simplytypethecityalongwiththephrase“conventionandvisitorsbureau”intoanysearchengine.
Theimportantthingtorememberduringyourinternshipexperienceisthatit’snotjustaboutwhatyoucanlearnandsoakupduringtheworkday.Itisalsoabouttheopportunitiesthatitprovidestoyouwhenyouarenotatwork.
Resource mappingAsyouareexploringthecity,itisimportanttoknowwhereyourlocalresourcesare.Dependingonyourdisability,youmayneedtoknowwherethelocalwheelchairrepairshopisorwhereyoucangetothermedicalequipmentifyoursmalfunctions.Incaseofanemergency,youshouldknowwherethenearesthospitalis.Accessyourinsurancecompany’swebsitetodeterminewhattypeofcoverageyouhavewhenyou’reoutsideofyournormalareaornetwork.Thiswillbeimportanttoknowshouldyouhavetovisitadoctorwhileyou’reaway.Ifyourinsuranceisunabletocoveryouwhileyou’reaway,youshouldbepreparedtocoveranymedicalexpensethatcouldarise.
Youwillalsoneedtoknowwherethelocalgrocerystoreisandhowthelocaltransportationworksifitisavailabletoyou.Alsoconsiderthingslikewherethenearestbranchofyourbankis.Ifyourbankdoesnothavelocationsinthecityyou’rein,thinkabouthowyouwillmanageyourmoney.Willyousimplywithdrawmoneyfromanotherbankingcompanyandcontinuetohandleanyotherbankingneedsonlineorlong-distance,oristhereanotheroption?Theseareallgreatwaystousethelistservsandothersocialnetworkinggroupsthatyoujoinedtogaininformation.Youarenotaloneinyournewenvironment.Therearealwaysotherswhoareexperiencingorhaveexperiencedthesamesituationsthatyouare,soitneverhurtstoaskforhelportoseewhatresourcesthattheyusedtomeettheirneeds.Usethe“FindingyourResources”sheetintheResourcessectionofthischaptertohelpyoustartthinkingabouttheplacesyouneedtofindmost.
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EvaluationAfteryouhaveaclearunderstandingofyourpositionandwhatanormaldayislikeintheoffice,youshouldmakesuretomeetwithyourmanagerandtalkabouthowyouwillbeevaluated.Sometimes,ifyourinternshipisrequiredasapartofyourdegree’sprogram,youruniversitymayhaveanevaluationformthatyoursupervisorisrequiredtocomplete.Thereisalsoapossibilitythattheofficeyouareinterninginhasitsownevaluationtool.Eitherway,youshouldasktoensurethatyouareprepared.Inmostcases,notonlywilltheprogramyou’reinterningwithcompleteanevaluationofyourperformance,butyouwillcompleteanevaluationbasedonyourexperience.
Ifthoseparticipatingininternshipsinyourofficearetypicallyonlyevaluatedattheendoftheinternshipterm,youmayalsowanttoaskyourmanagerifyoucanbeevaluatedmorefrequently.Thiscanbeausefultooltogaugeyourprogressthroughouttheinternship.Thiscanalsomaketheevaluationprocessattheendoftheinternshipmucheasierbecauseyouwillhaveabetterideaofwhattoexpect.Ofcourse,aboveall,frequentevaluationsenableyoutoimproveinanyareaswhereyoumayoriginallyhavehaddifficulties.
Evaluationsarenotabadthingandshouldn’tbefeared.Theyaredevelopedtoassistyouinbecomingabetteremployeeandtomakesurethatyouarelearningwhatyousetouttolearnwhenyoucreatedyourgoals.CheckouttheResourcessectiontoviewsampleevaluations.
In most cases, not only will the program you’re interning with complete an evaluation of your performance, but you will complete an evaluation based on your experience.
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Chapter 6 Resources
NOWTHATIAMHERE,WHATDOIDO?
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT59
Thisworksheetisintendedtohelpyoubrainstormtheaccomplishmentsyou’vemadeinyourinternshipsothatyouareabletocreateanaccomplishments-drivenresumeandcoverletter.Moreimportantly,seeingyouraccomplishmentsonpaperwilltrulymakeyoufeelproudofyourselfforallthatyou’vecompleted!
Tipsforcompletingthisworksheet:
• Trytolistaccomplishmentsthatarespecificandmeasurable.Thisincludesusingnumbers(quantities)asmuchaspossible(Examples:Servedacustomerbaseof250;Increasedconferenceattendanceby15percent.)
• Usesuperlativesand“firsts.”Usewordssuchas“first,”“only,”“best,”“most,”and“highest.”
• Askyourself,“sowhat?”Foreveryaccomplishmentyoulist,considerhowthisdisplaysyourabilitiesandpotentialinyourfuturecareer.
1. Inyourinternship,whatspecialthingsdidyoudotosetyourselfapart?Howdidyoudothejobbetterthananyoneelsedidorthananyoneelsecouldhavedone?
2. Whatdidyoudotomakethisinternshipyourown?Howdidyoutaketheinitiative?Howdidyougoaboveandbeyondwhatwasaskedofyouinyourjobdescription?
3. Whatspecialthingsdidyoudotoimpressyourbosssothatyouwouldreceiveagoodreferenceorevenbehiredpermanently?
4. Howhastheorganizationbenefitedfromyourperformance?Howdidyou/willyouleavethisorganizationbetteroffthanbeforeyouinternedthere?
Activity 6A – Internship Accomplishments
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5. Whatareyoumostproudofasanintern?
6. Haveyoureceivedanylettersormemosfromyoursupervisor,co-workers,orcustomersthatpayyoucompliments?Doyouhavequotesthatsupportyouraccomplishments?
7. Whattangibleevidencedoyouhaveofaccomplishments–publicationsyou’vewritten,productsyou’vedeveloped,Webpagesyou’vedesigned.
8. Listsituationsinwhichyouwererequiredtojugglemanyprojectssimultaneouslyunderdeadlinepressure.
9. Listsituationsinwhichyouwererequiredtodealwiththepublic.Describeanysituationsinwhichyourespondedtocomplaintsorsmoothedruffledfeathers.
10.Howdidyousolveoneormoreproblemsasanintern?Whatweretheproblemsorchallengesthatyouortheorganizationface?Whatdidyoudotoovercometheproblems?Whatweretheresultsofyourefforts?
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Objective #1(Iplantoaccomplish…)
Iwillenhance/gainthefollowingskillsasaresultofachievingthisobjective:
Iwillcompletethefollowingtasks(includestart/enddate)inordertoreachthisgoal:
Tasks and Major Steps Start/End Date
Objective #2(Iplantoaccomplish…)
Iwillenhance/gainthefollowingskillsasaresultofachievingthisobjective:
Iwillcompletethefollowingtasks(includestart/enddate)inordertoreachthisgoal:
Tasks and Major Steps Start/End Date
Activity 6B - Internship Work Plan
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Sample 6C – Corporate Organizational Structure
NOWTHATIAMHERE,WHATDOIDO?
President/CEO
Business Administration Operations
Clerical ContactsHumanResources
TechnicalSupport
MaterialHandling
Business Development
Financial
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Sample 6D – Nonprofit Organizational Structure
CEOExecutive Director
(or President)
FundraisingCommittee
NominatingCommittee
Budget andFinance Committee
Other:Ad Hoc or
Program Committees
Board ofDirectors
Asst. DirectorDevelopment
(or Vice President)
CFOAsst. Director
Finance(or Vice President)
COOAsst. DirectorOperations
(or Vice President)
Asst. DirectorPlanning/Marketing
(or Vice President)
COOAsst. Director
PR/CommunityAffairs
(or Vice President)
Asst. DirectorHuman
Resources(or Vice President)
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Sample 6E – Government Organizational Structure
NOWTHATIAMHERE,WHATDOIDO?
Secretary
Deputy Secretary
ManagementUnder Secretary
Science &Technology
Under Secretary
Health AffairsAsst. Secretary/Chief Medical
Officer
NationalProtection &
ProgramsUnder Secretary
Intelligence & Analysis
Under Secretary
Federal LawEnforcement
Training CenterDirector
PolicyUnder Secretary
OperationsCoordination
Director
GeneralCounsel
Citizenship &Immigration
ServicesOmbudsman
LegislativeAffairs
Under Secretary
Chief PrivacyOfficer
PublicAffairs
Under Secretary
Civil Rights & Civil Liberties
Officer
InspectorGeneral
Counter-Narcotics
EnforcementDirector
Chief of Staff
ExecutiveSecretariat
MilitaryAdvisor
DomesticNuclear
DetectionOfficeDirector
NationalCyber
SecurityCenterDirector
TransportationSecurity
AdministrationAsst. Secretary/Administrator
U.S. Customs &Border
ProtectionCommissioner
U.S. Citizenship& Immigration
ServicesDirector
U.S. ImmigrationCustoms
EnforcementAsst. Secretary
U.S. SecretServiceDirector
Federal EmergencyManagement
AgencyAdministrator
Federal EmergencyManagement
AgencyAdministrator
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Ifyoudecidetocompleteaninternshipinanothercity,manyofyourexperienceswillbethoseyouhaveoutsideyourplaceofwork.Youshouldmakesureyouareawareoftheplacesthatwillmakeyourtimemoreenjoyableandrunsmoothly.Completeasmuchofthefollowinginformationeitherbeforeyouheadofftodoyourinternshiporsoonafteryouarrive.RemembertocheckoutthelocalConventionandVisitorsBureauwebsite,andusethesuggestedsearchtermsinyoursearchengineofchoice(i.e.Google,Yahoo!).
NEAREST… INTERNET SEARCH TERM
NAME & LOCATION/ADDRESS
BANK BRANCH “(Bankname)+locations”
HOSPITAL “hospital+city/countyname”
LIBRARY “library+city/county+state”
CHURCH/SYNAGOGUE/MOSQUE, ETC.
“(church
GROCERY STORE “groceries+city/county+state”
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION STOP (I.E. BUS/TRAIN STOP)MEDICAL SUPPLY/REPAIR
GAS STATION
RESTAURANT(S)
VEHICLE MECHANIC
REC CENTER/GYM/YMCA
MOVIE THEATER
MALL/SHOPPING CENTER
OTHER ENTERTAINMENT VENUES (I.E. MUSEUM, ART GALLERY, BOOK STORE)
Activity 6F – Finding my Resources
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Intern Name:
Semester: Fall Spring Summer 20___
Business Name
Supervisor Name:
Business Phone #
Please rate the student intern on each of the following categories.
Professional Qualities
Excellent Good Fair Poor N/A
RATINGS 4 3 2 1
Establishesrapportwithsupervisor
Establishesrapportwithstaff
Establishesrapportwithclients
Communicateswell
Seeksnewknowledge
Showsinitiative
Managestimewell
Producesaccuratereports/records
Demonstratesadequateknowledge
I certify that has completed internship hours.
Supervisor Signature Supervisor phone number Date
Sample 6G - Internship Evaluation by Program Manager
Personal Qualities
Excellent Good Fair Poor N/A
RATINGS 4 3 2 1
Ispunctual
Isdependable
AcceptsConstructiveCriticism
DemonstratesEnthusiasm
DressesProfessionally
NOWTHATIAMHERE,WHATDOIDO?
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Student Date
Site Supervisor
Please use a check mark (3) to indicate your responses.
SITE NotAp-plicable
0
StronglyDisagree
1
Disagree2
Neutral3
Agree4
StronglyAgree
51.Thefacilitywasadequate.
2.Thisagencywasclearlysetuptohaveinterns.
3.Theatmosphereattheagencywasprofessional.
4.Wouldyouconsideracceptingemploymentatthisagency?
5.Wouldyourecommendthissitetootherinterns?
SITE SUPERVISOR
Name:
NotAp-plicable
0
StronglyDisagree
1
Disagree2
Neutral3
Agree4
StronglyAgree
51.Internswereencouragedtoask
questionsand/orgiveopinions.2.Thesupervisor’sdevelopmentand
presentationofmaterialwerecon-sistentwiththegoalsoftheintern-ship.
3.Thesupervisor’spresentationofmaterialswasofthehighestqualitylevel.
4.Thesupervisorwasaccessibletoyouandconcernedaboutyourprogress.
5.Thesupervisor’soverallcapabilitywasofthehighestqualitylevel.
6.Iwouldconsiderworkingforthissupervisor.
*Modifiedfromwww.slis.indiana.edu/courses/internship/evaluation.html
Sample 6H - Internship Evaluation by Student
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Your title as an intern does not make you any less valuable than any other employee.
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Speaking up: Finding your inner voice
Oneofthehardestthingsforaninterntodoisaskquestions.Youmayfeelthatyouarespeakingoutofturnorthatyou
aretakinguptoomuchofyourboss’stime.Remember,youaretheretolearn.Youcan’talwayslearnbyobserving;youneedtoaskquestions,too.Ifyourbossinvitesyoutoameetinganddirectsyoutositinthebackoftheroomtoobserve,thenitprobablyisn’tbesttoaskquestionsduringthemeeting.Don’tbeafraid,however,topullyourbossasideafterwardstoaskanyquestionsthatyoumayhave.
It’simportanttoshowyourteamthatyouarepayingattentiontowhatisgoingonandthatyouaretheretolearnandbeateamplayer.Byaskingquestions,itshowsthatyouarealertandawareoftheinnerworkingsoftheorganizationandthatyouwanttobeanintegralpartofit.Therewillcertainlybeopportunitiesforyoutoofferyourinsightinmeetings,andthesearecriticalopportunitiestoprovideyourthoughtsandproveyourabilitytoaddvaluetoateam.
Forexample,ifyouareinterningwithacompanythatdevelopscollegetextbooks,thisisanidealopportunitytoofferyouruniqueperspectiveasayoungperson.Althoughyoumaynotbefamiliarwiththeactualcontentofthetextbook,youwouldbeabletoofferinsightaboutparticularpreferencesstudentshaveabouttextbooks.Inaddition,youcansharewaysthatyoustudyandhowatextbookdesigncanassistinyourstudyprocess.
Yourtitleasaninterndoesnotmakeyouanylessvaluablethananyotheremployee,evenifyouarenotpaid.Thewayyoupresentyourselfandengageinconversationatanyoffice-relatedfunctioniscriticaltoyoursuccesswithinyourposition.Yourattentionintheseareaswillcauseyoutostandoutamongothersinternsintheoffice.
Chapter 7 Skills for Success
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Representing the organizationAnimportantcomponentofworkingorinterningforanyorganizationorcompanyisknowinghowtotalkabouttheorganizationandtheroleyouplaywithinit.Asyourexperiencegrows,youwillbegintorecognizethatdifferenttypesoforganizationspresentthemselvesinavarietyofmanners.Non-profitsareknownfortheirtendencytomentionthenamesofpeopleorfoundationsthatfundtheirmajorprojects.Privatecompaniessometimesliketomentionanewprojectormajorbreakthroughthatmakesthemtheleaderintheirfield.Governmentagenciesmayhavelegalrestrictionsregardingwhattheycanandcan’ttalkaboutwhentalkingtopeopleinthepublic.Itisalwaysagoodideatoaskyoursupervisorandyourcolleagueshowtheytalkabouttheorganizationtopeoplewhentheyareinoutsidemeetingssothatyoucanrepresenttheorganizationwell,too.
Afteryouhaveaclearunderstandingoftheroleoftheorganizationyou’reinterningwith,practicegivingwhatiscalledan“elevatorspeech.”Thisisaconcise,carefullyplanned,andwell-practiceddescriptionaboutyourcompanythatanyoneshouldbeabletounderstandinthetimeittakestorideanelevator.Typically,thismeanswhenyouintroduceyourselfatameetingorevent,youshouldbeabletorelaywhatyoudoandwhereyouworkincloseto30seconds.Keepinmindthatyourspeechshouldbeabletoquicklycatchtheattentionofothersandmakethemwanttomoreaboutyourorganizationandwhatyoudo.Itshouldalsoberelevanttotheaudienceyouarespeakingto.You
wouldn’ttellyoursister’sthirdgradeclass,“IdesignJ2EEsoftwareapplicationstodeliverSOAforF1000companies.”
Here are two strong elevator speech examples:“MynameisDanielArmstrong.I’minterningatPintuk,Inc.Intheaftermathofsomeoftherecentaccountingscandals,Pintukhelpscompaniesmakesurethattheyarefollowingthelaw.NooneelsecanhelpthemcomplyasfastasPintukcan.”
“Ifyou’rearestaurateurandcan’tkeepyourregularscomingback,you’relost.Usingproprietaryonlineandofflinesurveytechniques,GantResearchwillfindouthowyoucanstopthelossesandstartgeneratingprofit.I’mservingasanassistantresearcheratGantforthesummer.”
NetworkingOnceyouhavedevelopeda30-secondspeechbasedonwhatyouwouldsaytoothersaboutthecompanyyou’reinterningwith,makesuretocreateoneaboutyourself.Itisagreattooltouseasyouexploreemploymentoptionsforafteryoucompleteyourinternship.Itwillhelpexplainyouraccomplishmentstopotentialemployers.
An elevator speech is a concise, carefully planned, and well-practiced description about your company that anyone should be able to understand in the time it takes to ride an elevator.
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Whencreatinganelevatorspeechforyourself,considerusingthefollowingformula:
1. WhoamI?(introduceyourself)2. WhatfieldorindustryamIin?3. WhatpositionamIin?InwhatcapacitydoIserve?4. HowamIunique?Whatmakesmedifferentfromthe
competition?5. Whatbenefitscanemployersgainfrommyskills,
basedontheaccomplishmentsI’vealreadymade?(Hansel&Hansel,n.d.)
Althoughusingaguidelineisimportant,youshouldkeepinmindthattheelevatorspeechisreallyanopportunitytosellyourself,sopretendthatyou’recreatinga30-secondcommercialforyourself.Youhavetocatchtheperson’sattentionrightawaytoensuretheircontinuedinterestinyouandwhatyouhavetooffer.
Herearesomeexamplestogetyoustarted.Usethe“MyElevatorSpeech”worksheetintheResourcessectionofthechaptertocreateyourown:
High School Student Elevator Speech
Hi, I’m Rick, and even though I’m just a senior in high school, my voice is already recognized across the city. This year I’ve been interning at KYZ radio in the programming department. A lot of my responsibilities include scheduling and researching artists, but I’ve had a few opportunities to go on the air. People say they enjoy my calming voice, especially for the evening radio shows. I definitely look forward to majoring in broadcast journalism in college next year.
College Student Elevator Speech
Hi, my name is Lisa. Right now I’m working hard to make sure organizations across the country become richer and richer. I am currently a junior at George Mason University just outside of Washington, D.C. I’m currently majoring in business and am completing an internship at Lucida Finance Group. I’m co-managing files for a series of clients to create financial plans and investment portfolios, and am doing everything from researching and analyzing data, to creating and implementing the plans. I’ve always had a love for numbers, so I know this is the career path that I’d like to pursue. I’ve already worked hard with my supervisor to create plans that are being used at three organizations.
Thesearegreatsalespitchesbecausetheydescribewhattheindividualsarecurrentlyworkingon,accomplishmentsthattheyhavealreadyachieved,andexpressthefactthattheyaregoal-oriented.Thesespeechesarealsopositivebecausetheysharewhattheirspecificskillsetsareandthattheywanttoputthemtouseinthefuture.Itisalsowisetomakesurethattheskillsbeingpresentedarethemostmarketableskillsofinteresttothepersonbeingspokento.
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Doing Your HomeworkJustasitisimportanttobepreparedanddoresearchpriortoanyinterviewyouhave,itisequallyasimportanttodothesamebackgroundworkbeforegoingtomeetingsandevents.Figureoutwhowillbeattendingtheseeventsandwhatorganizationswillberepresented.Dependingonthesizeofthemeeting,itmaybenearlyimpossibletorememberallofthepeoplethatwillbethere,butmakealistofthetopfivepeoplewhoyouwanttomeet.Thenaskquestionsaboutthemtothoseyouhavedevelopedrelationshipswithwithinyouroffice.Ofcourse,itisalsogoodtoutilizeanyresources,suchastheInternet,thatmightprovideyouwithahistoryofeachperson’sbackground..Learnaboutanypublicationstheymayhavewrittenorotherworksthey’reknownfor,anddoyourbesttogetyourhandsonacopyofthem.Oftentimes,thesebackgrounditemscanbegreatconversationstarters,andwillgenerallymakeyoustandout.Remember,youmayonlyhaveoneopportunitytosellyourselforevenjustmeetthisperson,somakethemostofit.If the conversation goes well, you can always ask the person you’ve been speaking with to introduce you to other people at the meeting they think you should talk to. This opens the door for you not only to create a relationship with your initial contact, but allows you to continue to build your own network as you are introduced to more people. This may also make the next person you meet more receptive to you because you have a mutual contact.
Business CardsItisalsoalwayswisetoaskfolksyoumeetforoneofhisorherbusinesscards,andtoalsomakesurethatyouprovidethemwithoneofyours.Ifthecompanythatyouareinterningwithdoesnotprovidebusinesscards,don’tfret!Simplygotoyourlocalofficesupplystoreandpurchaseblankonesthatcomewithanonlinetemplate.Printtheseoutandusethem.Inaddition,someprintingwebsitesofferbusinesscarddealsforlittle-to-nocost.Checkoutthefollowingwebsitesforbusinesscards:www.vistaprint.com,www.overnightprints.com,www.freeprintablebusinesscards.net,www.123print.com,www.printsmadeeasy.com.
Rememberthatyouareinyourinternshiptogainexperiencesothatyouhaveagreateradvantagewhenlookingforajob.Thisexperiencealsocomeswiththecontactsthatyouareabletomakeduringyourinternship.Insomecases,youmayencountermanypeopleinagivendayandgathermanybusinesscards,whichmaymakeitdifficulttorememberwhoyoumetwhenyoureferbacktothem.Onewaytotriggeryourmemoryistowritethreekeythingsonthebackoftheperson’scardthatwerememorableabouthimorher.Forexample,ifyoumetDanSneed,thepresidentofalargetechnologyfirm,youmaywritethefollowingonthebackofhiscard:
1. Woretiewithgolfclubs
2. TalkedaboutloveofStarWars
3. Mentionedhavingtwosonsincollege
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Attheendofeachday,orasoftenaspossible,gothroughthebusinesscardsthatyouwereabletoobtainandsendthankyounotestothosewhotookspecialtimeouttotalktoyou.Youcanalsousethisopportunitytoaskanyfollow-upquestionsyoumayhave.Don’tforgettosendalongaresumeandevenaskforaninformationalinterviewifyou’dliketolearnmoreabouthowyoucanfitintohisorherorganization.
Finding and using a mentorItisalwaysimportanttohavementorsasyouprogressbothinschoolandintotheworldofwork.Amentoratworkdoesn’thavetobeyourbossand,infact,itmaybebettertoensurethatyourmentorissomeonethatisnotyourdirectsupervisor,orevenonyourteam.Sometimes,youmayneedadviceonhowtoworkwithamemberofyourteamoryoumaybelookingforfurtherdevelopmentinanareaofthecompanythatyourteamdoesn’tcover.Thekeycomponentofmentoringis“relationship,”meaningthatwhileinsomesituationsyoumayhavesomeoneyouadmireasarolemodel,amentorisonewithwhomyoucontinuallyinteract.Havingsomeonethatcanhelpyounavigatethepathswithinyourworksettinganddeviseeffectivesolutionstosomeofyourquestionswillbehelpfulinmakingyourinternshipasuccess.
Ifyoudecidethatamentoriswhatyouneed,considerwhattypeofmentoringrelationshipwouldmakethemostsensewithinyourworksetting.Therearefivemaincategories.
1. Traditional One-to-One Mentoring–Amodelofmentoringinwhichoneadultispairedwithoneyoungperson.Typically,therewillbeanextensivematchingprocesstoensureastrongrelationship,anditisexpectedthatthecommitmentwillbeforoneyearorlonger.Thisismostlikelytheformofmentoringyouwillusewithintheinternshipsetting.
2. Peer Mentoring – Amentoringmodelinwhichpeersfromasharedorsimilardevelopmentalstageprovidesupportandadvicetomentees.Peerscanbecloseinageorfartherapart,dependingonthecircumstances.
3. Group Mentoring –Thisformofmentoringmatchesoneormoreadultswithagroupofyouthinastructuredsetting.Thiscouldincludeanindividualorgroupofadultvolunteersworkingwithseveralyouthinaschoolorafaith-basedprogram,oragroupofemployeesfromonecompanyworkingwithstudentsfromalocalschoolinawork-basedmentoringprogram.
4. E-Mentoring –E-mentoringdescribesacontemporarymodelcommonlyusedinschoolsinwhichone(ormore)youthismatchedwithamentor.Theyouthandmentorregularlyexchangee-mailmessagesforadesignated,prolongedperiodoftime.Inidealcircumstances,e-mentoringincludesoccasionalface-to-facemeetingstoprovideamorepersonalconnection.Inmanyinstances,aprogramcoordinator(oftenateacher)willmonitorallcorrespondenceandmeetings.(Paving the Road to Work, NCWD,2005.)
5. Reverse Mentoring–Thisformofmentoringiswheresomeoneolderormoreexperiencedismentoredbysomeoneyoungerorlessexperienced.Typicallythisismorelikelytotakeplaceintheworkplace,buttheremaybeoccasionsforthistooccurinsocialandeducationalsettings.(Hare,2008)
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Afteryoufindsomeonethatyouarecomfortablewithandthatyouthinkwouldbeagreatassettoyourinternshipexperience,askthemiftheywouldbewillingtoserveasyourmentor.Therearesomehelpfulresourceslistedintheresourcessectionofthisguidethatwillsharehowtogetthisconversationgoingwithapotentialmentorandhowtocreateamentoringplanthatwillguideboththementorandyouasthementee.Inmanycasesyouwillfindthatastrongmentoringrelationshiplastslongaftertheinternshipisover.Yourmentorcanalsobeanextremelyusefulresourceinhelpingyoufindafull-timepositionafteryouhavecompletedyourinternship.
Navigating the transportation systemIfyouareusingpublictransportation,makesurethatyoubecomeextremelyfamiliarwiththesystem.Elevatorsandescalatorsbreakdownatbusandtrainstationsandyouwillneedtoknowwhatotheroptionsyouhave.Ifyourbusappearstobelateordoesn’tcomeatall,youshouldhavethenumberofanaccessibletaxiserviceorsomeotherformoftransportationonhand.Ingeneral,mostcitieshaveaccessibleparatransitservices,whichdonotfollowfixedroutesorschedulesandareoperatedbypublictransitagencies,communitygroups,andnot-for-profitorganizations.Whilethereistypicallyanapplicationprocesstoreceivetheseservices,oftentherearesimplerorquickeroptionsforpeoplewhowilltemporarilyrequirethistypeoftransportation.Justaswithanyemployee,havingabackupplaninplaceisessentialbecauseyouneverknowwhatmayhappenduringyourcommutetoandfromwork.Alsobesuretoalwayshaveyouroffice’sphonenumberhandy;ifyou’regoingtobelateforanyreason,itisalwaysagoodideatocallinandletyourteamknow.
Taking time off of workEverycompanyhasapolicyonhowtorequesttimeoffofworkandhowmuchtimeyouareallowedforbothsickandvacationleave.Makesurethatyoufamiliarizeyourselfwiththispolicyandknowthatthepolicyforfull-timeemployeesandinternsistypicallydifferent.Somecompaniesdonotallowtheirinternstohavepaidtimeoff,butwillallowthemleavewithoutpay.Othercompaniesexpecttheirinternstobepresenteveryday,dependingonthelengthoftheinternship.
Universal leave–Inrecentyears,somecompanieshavebegunswitchingovertowhatmaybeconsideredamoreconvenientwayofallowingtimeoff.Inthesecases,theyarecombiningvacationtimeandsicktimeintoanoverallnumberofpaiddaysthatanemployeecantakeoffeachyear.Forexample,asopposedtoreceiving12vacationdaysandeightsickleavedays,acompanymaychoosetosimplyprovideemployees20paiddaysoff,whichcanbeusedinwhatevermannertheemployeechooses.Thisisespeciallybeneficialforthosewhodon’ttendtousemanysickleavedaysandgenerallyhavethemleftoverattheendofeachyear.Thismakesformorevacationtime!
Ifthecompanythatyouareinterningwithoperatesunderauniversalleavestructure,beforeyourequestyourvacationtimeconsiderwhetheryouhaveenoughleave,justincaseyouneedsickleavelaterinyourinternship.(Youshouldalwaystrytoleaveanextradayortwoofsickleave,incaseyougetsickunexpectedly.)Also,keepinmindthatdoctor’sappointmentsandotherhealth-relatedvisitsthatwillrequireyoutobeoutoftheofficewillmostlikelybecountedassickleave.Whilethesecan’tgenerallybeanticipated,itisalwaysbesttoplanahead.
In many cases you will find that a strong mentoring relationship lasts long after the internship is over.
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Vacation time–Ifyourinternshipislongenoughtoallowyouvacationleave,besuretoprovideyouremployerwithasmuchadvancednoticeaspossible.Itisalsosmarttomakesurethatyouhavecompletedasmanyprojectsaspossiblebeforeyouleaveandthattheteamthatyouareworkingwithknowsofanyduedatesthatliewithinthetimeyouwillbeaway.Eventhoughyouareonvacation,itneverhurtstoleaveyourbosswithaphonenumberbywhichyoucanbereachedincasesomethingimportantcomesupthattheyneedtocontactyouabout.Asarule,employersareconsiderateofemployees’(includinginterns’)vacationtime,sotheywouldnottypicallycontactyouunlesstherewasadireneed.
Sick time–Ifyouhavetocallinsickortakesicktimetoseeadoctor,makesurethatyouprovideyourbosswithasmuchnoticeaspossible.Also,makesurethatyoutalkwithyourbossabouthowtoprovidenoticethatyouwillbeout.Somesupervisorspreferaphonecallasopposedtoanemail.Othersrequestthatyoucalltheadministrativepersonfortheteam,suchasasecretary,becauseheorshecanbeeasiertoreachwithintheoffice.Obviously,predictingwhenyouwillcomedownwithanillnessofsomesortisnearlyimpossible,butifthereisaninstancewhereyouwakeupinthemorningandrealizethatyouaren’tgoingtomakeitintowork,callornotifytheappropriatepeopleimmediatelyinsteadofwaitinguntilshortlybeforeyou’reduetoarriveatyourworksite.
Disclosing your disabilityIfyouareaninternwithadisability,youmayneedtodisclosebeforeyourintervieworevenuponstartingyourinternship,especiallyifyouneedanaccommodationtocompleteaninterview.ThekeythingtokeepinmindisthatitisyourchoicetoshareinformationaboutyourdisabilityWHENEVERyouchooseto.Ofcourse,whileitisstrictlyyourdecision,employersareonlyrequiredtomakeaccommodationsforyouifyouletthemknowyourneeds.Disclosurecanbetrickyandtherearetoolsavailabletohelpyouunderstandthebestwaytoinformothersofyourdisability,especiallydependingonthesituationyouarein.Thewayyou’vechosentodiscloseinschoolwillmostlikelybedifferentthanthewayyoudisclosetoyouremployer,andthewaythatyoudisclosetoyourbossmightbedifferentfromthewaythatyoudisclosetotherestoftheteamthatyouworkwith.
Onewaytothinkaboutdisclosureistoconsiderthefactthatyourdisabilitycanprovideanadvantagethatinternswithoutdisabilitieswouldnothave.Again,youruniqueperspectivemaybeabletofurtherthecompanyastheyseektoaddressdisabilitybothwithinandoutsideoftheorganization.Theymayalsobeseekingtoexpandtheirmarketingtoincludepeoplewithdisabilities,onwhichyoucouldcertainlyprovideinsight.Justasyouconsiderhowtomarketyouraccomplishmentsandstrengthswhengoingthroughtheinterviewprocess,dothesamewhenthinkingabouthowtopresentyourdisabilityhere:asabeneficial,distinguishingassetthatyoubringtothetable.Formoreinformationandtogethelpthinkingthroughthedisclosureprocess,downloadthe411onDisabilityDisclosure.
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Chapter 7 Resources
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Answerthefollowingquestionstohelpyouformulateyourelevatorspeech.Thenusethespaceatthebottomtowriteoutyourfullspeech.Remembertomakeitcatchyandkeepitconcise.Thisisyouropportunitytosellyourself!
1. WhoamI?(Yourname,School,OrganizationyourInterningwith)
2. WhatfieldorindustryamIin?
3. WhatpositionamIin?InwhatcapacitydoIserve?Whatdomydutiesinclude?
4. HowamIunique?Whatmakesmedifferent?
5. WhataccomplishmentshaveImadetowardmycareer?WhathaveIachievedwithinmycurrentinternship?WhatdoIplantoachieveduringmyinternship?
MyElevatorSpeech
My Elevator Speech
78NCLD| YOUTH SKILLSFORSUCCESS
Saying or sending a thank you note or card is one of the easiest things you can do for your supervisor and all the people who helped you throughout your internship experience.
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT79
Getting letters of recommendation
B eforeyouleaveyourinternship,makesuretoaskyoursupervisorforaletterofrecommendationtokeepinyourfiles.Theletterdoesnothavetobeaddressedtoaspecificperson,butcouldsimplybeaddressed“Towhomitmayconcern”sothatyou
canuseitforyourfuturejobsearch.Havingaletterlikethison-handwillalleviateanypotentialstressthatcouldcomefromscramblingtogetintouchwithpeopletoprovidereferenceswhenyoureallyneedthem.Obtainingaletterrightawayalsoallowsyoursupervisortowriteaboutyourachievementsandresponsibilitieswhiletheyarestillfreshonthemind.
Saying thank youSayingorsendingathankyounoteorcardisoneoftheeasiestthingsyoucandoforyoursupervisorandallthepeoplewhohelpedyouthroughoutyourinternshipexperience.Itisoftentimesanaspectofcompletinganinternshipthatgetsoverlooked,butsayingthankyoudoesn’thavetobetime-consumingorcostly.Itcanbeassimpleasleavingacardonyoursupervisor’schairwhenyouleave,orsendinganemailtoallofyourco-workersexpressingyourgratitudeandprovidingthemwithyourcontactinformationsothatyoucankeepintouch.Nomatterhowyouchoosetosaythankyou,itisimportanttodoso.Itcouldpotentiallymakethedifferenceinbeingofferedpermanentemploymentwiththeorganizationorreceivinga“glowing”reference.TheResourcessectionattheendofthischapterincludesasamplethankyouletterthatcanbeusedasaguide.
Keeping your network strongThroughoutyourinternshipyouwillmeetmanypeopleandgatherquiteafewbusinesscardsorcontactsforpeoplewhocanhelpyousucceednowandinthefuture.Makesurethatyoukeeparecordofallthesecontacts.Whiletheworkyoucompleteasaninternisofgreatsignificance,anotheressentialportionoftheinternshipexperienceisbuildinganetworkthatyoucanconnectwithandseekassistancefromasyouproceedinyourcareer.
Besuretofollowupwithanyonewhoaskedyoutocontactthemafteryoucompleteyourinternship.Ifyouwouldliketoparticipateinanotherinternship,startworkingearlywithanypeopleyoumeetwhocouldeitherhelpyouprepareforthisexperienceorcouldofferyouaninternshipthemselves.Iftherewillbeabreakintimebetweenwhenyoucompleteyourfirstinternshipandwhenyouwillbeabletocompleteanotherone,continuetostayintouchwiththesamepeoplethatcouldofferyouthenextinternship.Themoreexperienceyougainbeforeyoufinishschool,thegreaterthepossibilitythatyourresumewillstandoutfromotherswhenyoubeginapplyingforjobs.
Chapter 8 That was fun... now what?
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Reflecting on your accomplishmentsSo,howdidyourinternshipgo?Whatdidyoulearn?Whatdidyoureallylikeaboutyourinternship?Whatwouldyouliketotrymoreofandwhathaveyoulearnedthatyoudefinitelydon’twanttodointhefuture?Theseareallverygoodquestionsthatyoushouldthinkaboutasyourinternshipcomestoacloseandyouhavehadsometimetodecompressafteryourinternshipisover.Takingtimetoreflectonyourpastinternshipexperiencegivesyouanopportunitytouseyourencountersasaguideandresourceinyourcareerexploration.Thesequestionscanhelpguideyoutothinkaboutyourcareerprospectsandwhatothertypesofinternshipstolookfor.ThereflectionsheetintheResourcessectionofthechapterwillhelpyoubegintothinkaboutwhatyougainedfromyourinternship.
Youshouldalsoaskyourselfsomeenvironmentalquestions.Ifyouworkedinsideanofficebuildingduringyourinternship,didyoulikethatorwouldyouprefertobeabletoworkoutsideduringthedayaswell?Didyoulikeworkingonateamorwouldyouprefertobeabletoworkonprojectsindependently?Ifyouwereabletotraveltoconferencesandmeetingsoutsideofthecitythatyourinternshipwasin,didyoulikethatexperienceorwouldyoupreferajobthatdidn’tinvolvetravel?Thesearequestionsthatcanhelpguideyoutothetypeofofficeenvironmentthatisthebestforyoutogrowin.Asalways,sometimesitwouldbebesttogooutsideofyourcomfortzoneandtrynewthings,butaftereveryinternship,taketimetoevaluatetheenvironmentthatyouworkedinandnoticetrendsthatcanhelpguideyou.Whatseemedtoworkbestforyouandallowedyoutothrivemost?Youshouldalsoconsiderthesequestionsasyouentertheworkforceandlookforyoursecondoreventhirdjob.
Usingachartlikethefollowingcanhelpyouorganizeyourthoughts:
Nowthatyouknowwhatyoulikedfromyourfirstandsecondinternship,putthesimilarpositivesinthesamebox.Thiswillhelpyouknowwhattolookforinanofficeenvironmentwhenyouarelookingforafull-timejob.Justbecausesomethingdidn’tmakethefinallistdoesn’tmeanthatyoushouldn’tlookforthatinyournextjob.Thisisjustaguidetohelpyoufindthecommonalities.
Internship B Environmental Positives
1. Officemateshadasenseofhumor2. Lotsofnaturallight3. Publictransportation4. Openofficefeel5. Hadanoutsideworkarea6. Hadaprinteratmydesk
Internship A Environmental Positives
1. Openofficefeel2. Hadmyownoffice3. Lotsofnaturallight4. Easyaccesstoakitchenforbringingmy
ownlunch5. Publictransportation6. Hadanoutsideworkarea
Internship Environmental Similarities
1. Openofficefeel2. Lotsofnaturallight3. Publictransportation4. Hadanoutsideworkarea
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Updating your resumeNowthatyouhavecompletedyourinternshipandreflectedonwhatyouaccomplished,makesuretotakesometimetoupdateyourresumewiththenewinformationfromyourexperience.Keepinmindthatresumesthatstandouttoemployersarethosethathavespecific,measurable,andrealisticinformation.Don’tjustsummarizethejobdescriptioninyourresume.Describeyourdutiesandaccomplishmentsinamannerthatallowsyournextemployertoseeexactlywhatyourskillsareandhowyoucanbenefitthecompany.
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Chapter 8 Resources
THATWASFUN...NOWWHAT?
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT83
September1,2010
Ms.JaneDoeABCCompanyChicago,Illinois11122
DearMs.Doe:
IwanttotakethisopportunitytothankyouforyourguidanceandsupervisionthissummerduringmyinternshipexperiencewithABCCompany.Yourleadershipthroughoutthesummerassistedmeinfurtherdevelopmentofmywritingandcommunicationsskillsaswellasmyabilitytoimplementindividualprojectsandfunctionasaleadingcontributoronvariousteamprojectswithinthecompany.
TheexperiencewasmorethanIcouldhaveexpectedandallowedmethefreedomtodevelopandmaintainindividualaccountsasaprofessionalmemberoftheteam.IactuallyfeltlikeamajorcontributorintheweeklyplanningsessionsandIwasabletoindependentlyassistclientsinmakingchangestotheirexistingcontractswithABCCompany.WorkingforABCCompanyhelpedmeusetheknowledgeI’veacquiredoverthepastthreeyearsasacollegestudentaswellastheskillsI’vedevelopedduringmypreviousinternshipswithZCorporationandtheLTCAgency.
IalsowanttothanktheentirestaffintheCommunicationsDepartmentfortakingthetimetosharetheirexpertiseandknowledgeofthefield.ItwasthroughthesetimesthatIfeltIwasabletolearnandgrowthemostindevelopingmyskillsoverthecourseofthesummer.Thestaffwasmostresponsivetomyrequestsandalwaysmademefeellikeafull-timememberofthegroup.
Iappreciateyourwillingnesstowritemearecommendationletterandyoucanmailitdirectlytomyhomeaddressincludedabove.IwillkeepyouinformedofmyprogressinsearchingforjobsasIgetclosertoactuallyapplyingandpostingmyresume.
Sincerely,
BeckySmith
*Modifiedfromhttp://www.yale.edu/career/students/intern/success.html
Sample 8A – Internship Follow-Up Thank You Letter
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August13,2010
Ms.SusanSmithDirector,PublicRelationsXYZCorporation225WashingtonStreetBoston,MA02145
DearSusan,
IwouldliketotaketheopportunitytothankyouforsponsoringmyinternshipthissummerwithXYZCorporation.Myexperiencewasextremelyrewarding.Inadditiontosharpeningmywritingandeditingskills,workingindirectcontactwiththemedia,andmaturingprofessionally,Ithoroughlyenjoyedworkingwithsuchagreatteamofpeople.Itwasapleasuretowatchandlearnfrommyfellowcolleagues.
Inparticular,Iwanttothankyouforthetimeyouspentwithmediscussingmyprofessionaldevelopment.Ourweeklymeetingswereveryhelpfulandprovidedmewithinsightfulconstructivecriticismofmywork.TheresearchIconductedformyreportonthestrengtheningofmediarelationshipsandpublicvisibilitywasquiteinteresting.Ihopethereporthasprovidedthepublicrelationsdepartmentwithsomesoliddataandfreshideas.Ifanyonehasquestionsaboutmyreportorthemethodologyofmyresearch,[email protected].
Inaddition,thankyouforagreeingtowritealetterofrecommendationonmybehalf.ItwillbeparticularlyvaluabletomeasIsearchforfulltimepositionsnextspring.Iwillcontactyouperiodicallytoletyouknowhowmycareerquestisprogressing.
Pleaseextendmythanksandappreciationtotheentirepublicrelationsteamforsuchasubstantiveinternshipexperience.
Sincerely,
JaneQ.Sample
*Modifiedfromhttp://www.yale.edu/career/students/intern/success.html
Sample 8B – Internship Follow-Up Thank You Letter
THATWASFUN...NOWWHAT?
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT85
Reflectingonyourinternshipexperienceisanimportantpartofyourcareerdevelopment.Duringaninternship,youdiscoverskills,values,strengths,andinterests.Ultimately,youmaydecidetogothroughnewopendoorsandmaydecidetocloseothers.
Think about the following question when reflecting:
Whatimpactdidthisexperiencehaveonmypersonalgrowth?
Whatwasmygreatestaccomplishment?
WhatdidIfindmostchallengingaboutthisinternship?
WhatskillsdidIlearn?
HowwasIabletoapplymycurrentskills?
WhatdidIdiscoveraboutmyself?(Strengths,weaknesses,dislikes)
Activity 8C - Internship Reflection Sheet
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Whatinfluencewillmyinternshipexperiencehaveonmyfutureacademicandcareerchoices?
WhatdidIlearnaboutofficepoliticsthatwillservemeinthefuture?
WhatsuccesseshaveIexperienced?Whatdidtheymeantome?
WhatsetbackshaveIexperienced?WhatdidIlearnfromthesesetbacks?
WeretherepeoplewhoseworkethicsIwouldimitate?
WhatdidIlearnfrompeopleIadmireintheorganization?
THATWASFUN...NOWWHAT?
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT87
Finding a personal assistant
I fyouhaveadisabilitythatrequirespersonalassistantservices(PAS),youwillhavetoconsideryourapproachifyouparticipateinaninternshipawayfromhome.Some
peoplehavetheirparentsorfamilymembersserveastheirprimaryPAsduringtheirinternshiporevenrequestthattheircurrentPA’scomewiththemforthedurationoftheinternship.OthersuseaformalserviceorcompanytofindPAs,ortheypostannouncementsontheInternet,collegecampusesandotherareasforassistance.
IfyouhaveaPAathomethatyouwouldliketocomewithyou,youwillhavetodeterminewhetherheorshedesiresorhasthemeanstobeawayforanextendedperiodoftime:IsbeingyourPAhisorherfull-orpart-timejob?Wouldhisorherincomeincreaseordecreasebygoingwithyouforthistime?Dootherpeople,suchasfamilymembers,dependonhimorheraswell,andisleavingforanextendedperiodoftimeacurrentoption?
WhendeterminingyourneedsforPAcare,makesuretoresearchtheavailabilityofPASinthecitythatyouwillbeworkingin.SometimesworkinginaruralareamaymakeitmoredifficulttoacquiretheservicesofaPAasopposedtoworkinginacityorurbanarea.IfyouwillbeworkinginamoremetropolitanareaorevenacollegetownandfindthatyouneedtohaveaPA,considerlookingforthemoncollegecampuses.Thisisanidealpart-timejobforacollegestudent,asitwillprovideflexibilityandagoodsourceofincome.
TherearetwogreatwaystofindcollegestudentstoworkwithyouasaPA:throughfliersandannouncementspostedonwebsitesandbulletinboards,andthroughreferralsfromdisabilitysupportofficesoncampus.
IfthecityyouwillbeworkingindoesnothaveauniversityoryouarehavingdifficultyfindingaPAonthecollegecampus,youcanalsocontactthelocalCenterforIndependentLivingtorequestassistance.Alsoconsidercontactinghomehealthagenciesintheareaandplacingadsinlocalnewspapers,oncareerwebsites,andevenonwebsiteslikewww.craigslist.com.Ofcourse,whenchoosingtopostonwebsiteswithlittlesecurity,youwillhavetotakemorecautioninconductingscreeningsandbackgroundchecks.Ifyouareparticipatinginaninternshipprogramthatmayhavesomeexperiencerecruitingstudentswithdisabilities,youmaywanttoinquireaboutwhatothershavedoneinthepastregardingPAS.
Chapter 9 Personal assistance Services
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Being the employer Itmayseemoddtothinkofbeinganemployerwhilealsoparticipatinginaninternshipprogram,butifyouareusingPAs,youaretheemployerandyouaretheprimarypersoninchargeofhiringand,potentially,firingthem.ItisimportanttounderstandthatPA’sworkforyouandyoushouldfeelcomfortableworkingwithandmanagingthem.ThisalsomeansthatyouneedtofullyunderstandyourdailyneedssothatyoucanmakeaneducateddecisiononhowmanyPAsyouwillneedduringyourinternship.
WheninterviewingforPAs,itisimportanttohaveappropriatescreeningmechanismsinplace.Bepreparedtocompletemultipleinterviewsandaskanyquestionsnecessarytoensureyourneedsaremet.HavingreliablePAsiscriticalbecausetheywillhelpyoumakeanimpressiononyouremployer,astheymayberesponsibleformakingsureyouarriveontime,lookworkappropriateandhaveyourneedsmetatworkquicklyandefficientlysothatyoucanfocusonyourjob.Duringtheinterviewprocess,itisalsoimportanttoperformbackgroundchecksbeforeyouofferemploymenttoapotentialPAinordertoprotectyourselfandyourpersonalinformation.
TherearevariouspublicationslistedintheresourcessectionofthisguidethatcanassistyouindetermininghowtoproceedinhiringandmaintaininganappropriaterelationshipwithaPA.
Considering the costDetermininghowyouwillpayforaPAisakeyfactortoconsiderwhenbothapplyingtoandpreparingtoleavehomeforaninternship.YourhealthinsuranceoryourVocationalRehabilitationofficemay beabletoassistwithexpensesrelatedtocoveringaPA,especiallybecauseaninternshipexperienceispartoftheprocessthatcouldleadtofull-timeemployment;butyoushoulddefinitelymakesureyouarefullyawareofyourfinancialabilitytofundaPAifnecessary.IfyourPAispaidforthroughstatemedicalbenefits,suchasMedicaid,youwillneedtospeakwithyourbenefitscounselortodetermineifthereisawaytohavethecostscoveredevenwhenyou’reinanotherlocation.IfyouplanonpersonallypayingforaPA,youwillneedtoresearchtheaverageratefortheseservicesinthelocationyouwillresidein.Becausethecost-of-livingvariesindifferentareas,youwillfindthatjobsalariesandhourlywagesareconsistentwiththecosttolivethere.Ensuringthatyouhavequalitycaremeansmakingsurethatyouwillcompensatepeopleappropriatelyfortheservicestheyprovide.
Determining your needsItisimportanttotaketimetodeterminewhatyourdailyschedulewillbewhenyouareinyourinternshipprogramsothatyoucanproperlydeterminewhatassistanceyouwillneedyourPAtoprovide.Whenputtingtogetheryourschedule,makesurethatyouincludebothyourtasksbefore,during,andafterwork.Dependingonyourneeds,yourPAmayneedtobeatyourapartmentorhouseinthemorningtoassistyouwithgettingreadyforworkandwithgoingtobedintheevenings.Youmayalsoneedhimorhertocomeintotheofficetoprovideassistance,andifyouwanttoparticipateinanyafterworkactivitiesyoumayneedtoyourPAtoassistthenaswell.
Youshouldalsothinkaboutthetypeoflivingarrangementyouwillhaveduringyourinternship.Willyouhavearoommatewhowillbewillingtohelpoutifasked?Willtherebesomeoneatthefrontdeskofanapartmentordormcomplextocallifthereisanemergency?
PERSONALASSISTANCESERVICES
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT89
Itisalsoimportanttounderstandyourtransportationneedswhileyouarecompletingyourinternship.WillyourPAdriveyoutoeachdestinationyouneedtogoto?IfyourPAwillbeyourprimarydriver,makesureyouhavealternateplansforhowthingswillworkshouldyoudecidetogooutafterwork.
Finally,whendeterminingyourneedsandwhatservicesyourPAwillprovide,thinkabouthowstructuredyourschedulewillneedtoremain.ThiswillhelpdeterminehowmanyPAsyouwillneedduringyourinternship.SomepeoplewillonlyrequireoneortwoPAs,butothersmaystayverybusyandneedmultiple.Althoughbeingactiveinthecommunityduringyourinternshipwillallowyoutonetworkandbuildrelationships,youshouldbesuretoconsiderhowthiswillimpactyourPAscheduleandneeds.
Talking to your employerItisageneralruleofthumbtowaittodiscloseyourPAneedstoyouremployerafteryouhavereceivedanoffer.Thisissimplytoensurethattheprimarythingyouremployerconsiderswhendeterminingwhethertohireyouasaninternisyourskillsetandwhatyoubringtothetable.Justlikewhendisclosingyourdisability,youarenotrequiredtodiscloseanythingaboutyourPAservicesifyoudonotfeelcomfortabledoingso.InorderforyouremployertomakePA-relatedaccommodations,youwillneedtodisclosewhatsupportsyouwillneedduringtheworkday.Keepinmindtheimportanceofmaintainingpersonalandprofessionalboundariesatwork,sobesuretodiscloseonlytheinformationnecessarytoreceiveaccommodations.Inaddition,makesurethatanyinformationyoudiscloseisinformationyouarecomfortabletalkingabout.ItisnotasignofweaknesstoaskforaccommodationsandletyouremployerknowaboutyourPAneeds.UsingaccommodationsandaPAatwork,totheextentneeded,willonlymakeyouamoreproductiveemployeeandcanultimatelysetyouabovetherest.
Helpful hints• IfyouacquireyourPAbeforeyouarriveinyournewcity,youmaywanttoaskyourPA
tocheckoutyourhousingarrangementbeforeyougettheretoensureitsaccessibility.SomeinternshaveevenmentionedaskingtheirPAstovisittheuniversitydormsinwhichthey’llbestayingduringtheirinternshipstoprovidemeasurementstoverifythedorm’sroomsareaccessible.
• MakesuretoalwayshaveabackupplaninplaceforyourPAs.Justaswithanyemployee,yourPAmaycallinsick,haveanemergencyofsomesort,orsimplynotshowup.Asanemployeeyourself,youstillhavearesponsibilitytoshowupatyourinternship.ItisalwayswisetohaveasubstitutePAyoucancallintimeslikethese.Youshouldalsothinkaboutwhatyouwilldoifyoudecidetogosomewhereorparticipateinaneventthatisnotpartofyourtypicalschedule.IfyouneedPAservices,isyourPA’sscheduleflexibleenoughtoallowforthesetypesofoccurrences,doyouhaveafriendthatwouldbewillingtoassist,orwillyouhavetositthisoneout?
• SometimesyourVocationalRehabilitation(VR)serviceswillcoverthecostofyourPAduringaninternshipifyoucanshowthatitisdirectlyrelatedtoyourpotentialtohaveapositiveemploymentoutcomeforVRuponcompletionofschool.Itwilldependontherulesofthestatethatyouarelivingin,yourVRagency’sbudget,andhowwellyoucanconvinceyourcounselorthatthisisabeneficialinvestmenttomake.PAservicescanbeexpensive,sobesuretotrytouseallofyouravailableoptions.
90NCLD| YOUTH PERSONALASSISTANCESERVICES
INTERNSHIPS:THEON-RAMPTOEMPLOYMENT91
American Association of People with Disabilities – Internship Programshttp://www.aapd.com/site/c.pvI1IkNWJqE/b.6388937/k.63DF/AAPD_Internship_Programs.htm
http://www.aapd.com/site/c.pvI1IkNWJqE/b.5688003/k.BBDF/Other_Internships.htm
TheAmericanAssociationofPeoplewithDisabilities(AAPD),thecountry’slargestcross-disabilitymembershiporganization,organizesthedisabilitycommunitytobeapowerfulvoiceforchange–politically,economically,andsocially.AAPDwasfoundedin1995tohelpunitethediversecommunityofpeoplewithdisabilities,includingtheirfamily,friendsandsupporters,andtobeanationalvoiceforchangeinimplementingthegoalsoftheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA).AAPDrunstwotypesofinternships:summercongressionalandITinternships,andyear-round,internalinternships.Additionally,AAPD’swebsitehostsanupdatedlistofinternshipprogramsdesignedspecificallyforpeoplewithdisabilities.
411 Guide on Disability Disclosurehttp://www.ncwd-youth.info/411-on-disability-disclosure
The411 on Disability Disclosure: A Workbook for Youth with Disabilitiesisdesignedtohelpyoulearnaboutdisabilitydisclosure.Thisworkbookhelpsyoumakeinformeddecisionsaboutwhetherornottodiscloseyourdisabilityandunderstandhowthatdecisionmayimpactyoureducation,employmentandsociallife.Basedonthepremisethatdisclosureisaverypersonaldecision,theWorkbookhelpsyouthinkaboutandpracticedisclosingyourdisability.
Making the Move to Managing Your Own Personal Assistance Services (PAS): A Toolkit for Youth with Disabilities Transitioning to Adulthoodhttp://www.ncwd-youth.info/PAS-Toolkit
ThisguideassistsyouthinstrengtheningsomeofthemostfundamentalskillsessentialforsuccessfullymanagingtheirownPersonalAssistanceServices(PAS):effectivecommunication,time-management,workingwithothers,andestablishingprofessionalrelationships.Whethermovingfromschoolorahomesettingtowork,college,orlivingontheirown,transition-ageyouthandtheirfamiliesorfriendswouldbenefitfromtheinformationandguidanceofferedbythetoolkit.Sampleworksheets,questions,andchartsprovidereadersclear,helpfulexamplesofthingstoconsideralongthepathtogreaterindependence.AndstoriesfromrealyouthandtheirfamiliesgivepracticalinsightandguidanceforyouthwithdisabilitieswhowanttomanagetheirownPAS.
Chapter 10 Resources & Publications
92NCLD| YOUTH
A Step-by-Step Guide to Training and Managing Personal Assistants: Consumer Guidehttp://www.rtcil.org/products/RTCIL%20publications/Personal%20Assistance/PA%20Manual%20print%20version%20Consumer%20guide.pdf
Thefirststepinusingpersonalassistanceservicesistodecidewhatactivitiesyouneedhelpwith.Thisguidebreaksdowntheneedsassessmentprocessandmakestrainingyourassistantandprovidingfeedbackassimpleaspossible.
Centers for Independent Living (CIL)http://www.ilru.org/html/publications/directory/index.html
CentersforIndependentLiving(CILs)areconsumer-controlled,community-based,cross-disability,non-residentialprivatenonprofitorganizationsthataredesignedandoperatedwithinalocalcommunitybyindividualswithdisabilities.Theyprovideanarrayofindependentlivingservices.Atleast51%ofthestaffandboardmembersofCILsarepeoplewithdisabilitiesandtheyspecializeinindependentlivingskills,individualandsystemadvocacy,peercounseling,andinformationandreferralservices.
Interviewing 101: General Questions to Expect from the Employerhttp://ric-swpa.org/ricworks/pdf/Interviewing_101.pdf
ThesamplequestionscreatedbytheRegionalInternshipCenterofSouthwesternPennsylvaniaaregreatforpreparingyourselfforthetypesofquestionsthatyoumayhaveaskedatyourinterview.
Plotting the Course for Success: An Individualized Mentoring Plan for Youth with Disabilitieshttp://www.ncld-youth.info/Resources_final.htm
Thisplanguidesmentorsandmenteesthroughanumberofactivitiestohelpthemthinkaboutayoungperson’sdevelopmentalneedsandgoals,andtheactivities,experiencesandconnectionsthatcanhelpthemreachthesegoals.Notonlydoesthisplanoutlinespecificactivitiesandactionitemsforthementee,butitalsoenablesthementortohaveanopportunitytoexpresshowheorshewouldliketogrowwithintherelationship.Drivenbyyouthwithdisabilitiesandgroundedintheresearch-basedfieldsofyouthdevelopmentandleadership(learning,connecting,thriving,working,andleading),thisplanwillguidementorsandmenteesasthey“plotthecourse”tohelpyouthandemergingleadersmakeasuccessfultransitionfromyouthtoadulthood.
The Work Sitehttp://www.ssa.gov/work/receivingbenefits.html
ThissiteisaresourceprovidedbytheUSSocialSecurityAdministrationandassistsinhelpingyouunderstandthesupportsavailableifyoudesiretoworkwhilestillreceivinggovernmentbenefits.Therearemanyprogramsthatareavailableandinformationonallofthemcanbefoundhere.
RESOURCES&PUBLICATIONS
REFERENCES
Eckel, E. (2010, August 17). The 10 best IT certifications: 2010. 10 Things.http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/10things/?p=1751
Employment Digest. (2007, November 28). Surviving the First Week in a New Job. http://www.employmentdigest.net/2007/11/surviving-the-first-week-in-a-new-job/
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (2005, March 21). Job Applicants and the Americans with Disabilities Act. http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/jobapplicant.html#application
Hansen, K., & Hansel, R. S., (n.d.), The Basics of a Dynamic Cover Letter. http://www.quintcareers.com/
Hare, R. (2008). Plotting the Course for Success: An Individualized Mentoring Plan for Youth with Disabilities. Washington, DC: National Consortium on Leadership and Disability for Youth, Institute for Educational Leadership.http://www.ncld-youth.info/index.php?id=16
Luecking, R., & Fabian, E. S. (2000). Paid internships and employment success for youth in transition. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals, 23(2), 205-221.
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth. (n.d.). Terms in Definitions.http://www.ncwd-youth.info/definitions#name-taxonomy-vtn-term-I
National Association of Colleges and Employers. (2009, October 29). Interns Fare Better in Poor Job Market [Press Release]. Bethlehem, PA: Author.http://www.naceweb.org/Press/Releases/Interns_Fare_Better_in_Poor_Job_Market_%2810-29-09%29.aspx Pink, Daniel H. (1999, August 31). What Happened to Your Parachute? Fast Company. http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/27/bolles.html?page=0%2C4 Potzmann, J., & Guadagnolo, A.(2009). A Guide to Internship Success. Northridge, CA: California State University – Northridge Career Centerhttp://www.csun.edu/career/students/internships.htm
Rhodes, Sallie. (2007). High School/High Tech Program Guide: A comprehensive transition program promoting careers in science, technology, engineering and math for youth with disabilities. Washington, DC: National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth, Institute for Educational Leadership.http://www.ncwd-youth.info/hsht/program-guide
Virginia Tech Career Services. (2010, May 10). Cover letters: types and samples. http://www.career.vt.edu/JobSearchGuide/CoverLetterSamples.html#Sample36
Vogt, P. (2005, November 21). Maybe You Can Get Paid for an Unpaid Internship. http://www.youngmoney.com/internships_seasonal/061/ SUNY Fredonia Career Development Office. (2009, June 1). Researching an Organization. www.fredonia.edu/cdo/j-j6.asp
WetFeet. (n.d.) Defining the Six Most Common Internship Types. http://wetfeet.com/Undergrad/Internships/Articles/Defining-the-Six-Most-Common-Internship-Types.aspx
INTERNSHIPS: THE ON-RAMP TO EMPLOYMENTA Guide for Students with Disabilities to Getting and Making the Most of an Internship
Andraéa N. LaVant
4455 Connecticut Ave, NW Suite 310Washington, DC 20008
ncld-youth.info
National Consortium on Leadership and Disability for Youth