Finding your dream internship

What is an internship? Career related work experience, usually full-time in the summer. A chance to test the waters. Not cheap labor. Not just grunt work. Using independent problem solving skills. A chance to learn from a mentor.

What you can gain from an internship Develop & apply your skills Network & gain valuable contacts Explore different fields Discover your work preferences Demonstrate your work ethic Possibly earn academic credit, be paid, or both

Timeline Begin your search in November. Summer of Sophomore and Junior years are excellent times to have internships Use the iCenter and network to uncover the best opportunities

Determining Your Goals... Focus on your career objective Why do you want an internship? Where do you want an internship?  Venture out for a summer What do you hope to gain from the internship?  Patient Contact? Hands on with animals?  Don’t be shy to ask for what you need.

Two Search Strategies 1- Networking Search- few do this!  Use your contacts  Create your own opening 2- On-line Search- most do this!  Advertised vacancies  Apply for actual intern openings  Much more competition

Networking to create your own.. Identify target companies What are their needs? How can you help? Draft a 3 month plan Schedule an appointment to discuss your proposal

Networking with people that might help... Career Advisers, Faculty Friends, Family, Fellow Job Hunters Alumni Supervisors and Co-workers Professionals Clubs/Service Groups

Be persistent! Networking intimidates most people. Be a go-getter. You will impress your future boss with your initiative. Could be the difference between an OK summer and an amazing summer!

Networking to land the ideal internship... Stand Out! to explain how interested you are in what they are doing Ask to meet face to face to learn more and describe what you can contribute Highlight your skills and qualifications Explain your interests & outline benefits Follow-up!

A closer look at a vacancy North Carolina State Government Internship Program Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office 217 West Jones Street, Second Floor Raleigh, NC Description: The Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office (YAIO), an Agency of the N.C. Department of Administration, is pleased to offer internship opportunities in virtually all areas of State Government to college, community college, graduate, and law students who are residents of North Carolina. Past internships have included introducing visitors to reptiles at the Museum of Natural Sciences, working in the Governor's office, tracking the nesting patterns of loggerhead turtles on Bear Island, and clerking at the N.C. Court of Appeals. The YAIO will offer 75 summer 2005 internships in North Carolina state government. Qualifications: To be considered, students must have completed their first year of college, be enrolled in a college or graduate school for the semester following the internship, be a legal resident of North Carolina, and have at least a 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Compensation: Description: Interns are paid $8.25 an hour by the YAIO and work for 40 hours a week for ten weeks in June, July, and August. Interns do not receive benefits such as hospital insurance, paid vacation, or paid sick leave and may not work over 40 hours in any one-week period. Summer interns will work 40 hours per week in agencies throughout the state for ten weeks from Tuesday, May 31 (the day after Memorial Day) through Friday, August 5. Contact: Jen Wichman, Ed. M., Internship Coordinator Contact Phone: Contact Fax: Contact Offered: Fall: Deadline - Contact YAIO Summer: Deadline - January 19, 2005 To Apply: Those interested in an internship should submit an application program application forms are available online: ern.htm. Applicants should specify that they seek a summer 2004 internship and should follow the directions specified in the project book. Please note that late applications will not be considered. For more information on the N.C. State Government Internship Program, please also see: ect.htm General contents page ern.htm Internship application rnbk.pdf

A closer look at a vacancy Callaway Gardens Education Department P.O. Box 2000 Pine Mountain, GA Description: Interning at Callaway is an exciting and rewarding experience, offering unique opportunities for a number of career avenues in horticulture, education, forestry, wildlife biology and more. With a staff of approximately 1,000 full-time and 200 part-time employees, there is ample room to explore various facets of the organization and to advance your knowledge and professional goals. Callaway offers several Internship Programs in our Horticulture and Education Departments. These internships are invaluable for careers in Public Horticulture, Landscape Design, or Environmental Education. May through August, the twelve-week programs offer practical work experience supplemented by classes and field trips. Students work 40-hour weeks with some evening and weekend hours required for work and study AVAILABLE PROGRAMS: Education, Environmental Stewardship, Trails, Entomology, Horticulture Production. Compensation: Compensation includes an hourly wage of $7.26 and dormitory housing for a nominal cost. Meals are available at the Employee’s Cafeteria, which serves three meals a day. There are shared kitchen facilities at the dormitory. Benefits include free admission to Callaway, access to fitness, recreation and sports facilities on a space- available basis, employee discounts in the restaurants and shops on property, and use of the Education Department library for research, reading and work in progress. Contact: Patricia L. Collins, Director of Education Contact Phone: (706) Contact Fax: (706) Contact Offered: Summer: Deadline - 02/01/05 To Apply: Students wishing to apply for a position in the Callaway Internship Program should send a resume and a letter of introduction describing career goals, professional interests, and reasons for seeking an internship position to: Intern Registrar Education Department Callaway: Gardens, Resort, Preserve P.O. Box 2000 Pine Mountain, GA PHONE:(706) FAX (706) Students will then receive an application form that should be completed and returned along with three letters of recommendation. All materials should be submitted by February 1st. Applicants will be notified by March 15th.

5 Easy Steps to secure an advertised Internship... Research internship listings Create an outstanding resume Customize your cover letter Prepare for an interview Write follow-up letters to thank the interviewers

Salary Negotiation Varies One time stipend of 2 to 3K Expenses, travel, lodging Hourly rate- $10-15 an hour Volunteer

Academic Credit Talk to your academic advisor to arrange before hand Requirements vary based on the department Be sure your supervisor understands the academic component

Kick Start… Skills Portfolio Interview Resume Contacts Each of the Kick Start modules will help you land the best internship for you! Good Luck!