Features: A Message from Claes Nobel Advisory Board Highlight - Tyra Banks High School Highlight Partner News College-Bound Advice A Senior's Words of Wisdom for the College Application Process Internships from a Student's Perspective Learn to Earn ABCs on the SAT Spotlight on Service Tsunami Relief: How You Can Help Red Cross: Give the Gift of Life--Every Drop Counts Students Follow Their Passion -- Taking Advantage of Special Opportunities People to People: An Adventure of a Lifetime The Joy of Journalism Adventure in the Alps: Summer in Switzerland Overcoming Challenges Coping with Change: Coming to America Struggling with Scoliosis: Obstacles into Opportunities Overcoming Personal Affliction Internships: Learn to Earn Jean Danielson, NSHSS Advisory Board Member Director, Educational Research, FastWeb Wouldn't it be nice if before you bought a car, you could drive it for three months to see if it fit your needs? Or if you could test drive the Ipod then try the Dell Jukebox to see which you like best before deciding? Well, you're in luck. Internships can give you that singular opportunity when discovering your career. So let's take a look at some tips for serious, would-be interns. What? in•tern 1a. A student or a recent graduate undergoing supervised practical training. b. A physician who has recently graduated from medical school and is learning medical practice in a hospital under supervision, prior to beginning a residency program. Why? Internships allow you to try before you buy in the job market. They allow you to punch in and out of a particular job before committing thirty years of your life to a single line of work. Where? To find out where to do your internship, make a list of your interests. Want to combine your guidance counselor's advice to pursue marketing with your interest in veterinary medicine? Maybe you should intern in the development department of your city's zoo. Even if your areas of interests vary wildly, chances are there are some careers to be found at an intersection. If you can't find the perfect fit in an internship, try supplementing it with volunteer work. Build your knowledge of a specific area through internships, volunteerism, and even classes at school. Taking extra classes can help you refine your interests and abilities. While you are researching and applying for your internships, learn about the culture of the company. You need to make sure that your internship is a valuable experience for you, and understanding the company culture is critical. There are internships at enormous companies that demand you wear your best dry-cleanable clothes every day and communicate via memos and email. When? When considering internships, plan in advance and stick to your timeline. Be aware of deadlines and apply in a timely manner. Start thinking about your summer internship in the fall. How? There are many practicalities to consider in finding internships. If you do not want to travel, begin first with where you live. Second, if you know of no businesses in the area that offer what you are looking for, consult the business pages of the phone book or the local business trade magazines. This will take time. Keep an ongoing list, file folder, word doc or spreadsheet that will help you manage this information. While you are interning, demonstrate that you add value through hard work, balance, thoughtfulness, and clarity of action. You are not only at the job to perform tasks for the company, but you are there to fully experience the job. Remember, learning is a two-way street. They are learning about you, and you are learning about them. Is this where your passion lies? As they say, this is where the rubber meets the road. Networking is good for internships. Sometimes it may come down to who you know, but believe me, it will only be your skills that will keep you there and will move you forward. Talk to those you know. Send out letters of inquiry. Use the Internet. Check your FastWeb account for internships and see if your contacts have a program. If they do not have a program, propose one. They will welcome your initiative, and they may just welcome you as well! << Back to Journal Home page