Getting Your Ideal Internship

insider guide
GETTING YOUR IDEAL INTERNSHIP

6TH edition
WHERE TO FIND THE BEST OPPORTUNITIES HOW TO TURN AN INTERNSHIP INTO A JOB OFFER PROFILES OF REAL INTERNS AT WORK
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InsIder
GuIde
Getting Your Ideal Internship
6th edition
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WetFeet
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Phone: (215) 546-4900 Fax: (215) 546-9921 Website: www.wetfeet.com
GettinG your ideal internship

6th Edition ISBN: 978-1-58207-985-1
photocopyinG is prohibited
Copyright 2012 WetFeet. All rights reserved. this publication is protected by the copyright laws of the United States of America. No copying in any form is permitted. It may not be reproduced, distributed, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, in part or in whole, without the express written permission of WetFeet, Inc. the publisher, author, and any other party involved in creation, production, delivery, or sale of this WetFeet Insider Guide make no warranty, express or implied, about the accuracy or reliability of the information found herein. to the degree you use this guide or other materials referenced herein, you do so at your own risk. the materials contained herein are general in nature and may not apply to particular factual or legal circumstances. Under no circumstances shall the publisher, author, or any other party involved in creation, production or delivery of this guide be liable to you or any other person for damages of any kind arising from access to, or use of, its content. All illustrations by mckibillo
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CHAPTer
1
1 internships: the biG picture 2 overview 2 Benefits of
Internships
2
5 the search 6 Types of
Internships
3
15 GettinG hired 16 The Recruiting
process
7 The Scoop on
Unpaid Internships
17 What Employers
Want
3 Why They
Want You
9 Sources for
Internship leads
18 Timeline: landing
an Internship
10 Identifying Your
Ideal Internship
19 Getting Your
act Together
11 Internships abroad 13 Timing the Search
19 Interviewing 101

6th edition
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4
23 naViGatinG your internship 24 hitting the
Ground Running
5
35 real intern proFiles 36 architecture Intern 36 Magazine Editorial
Intern
6
43 For your reFerence 44 Recommended
Resources
25 acting like a pro 27 Making the Most

of Your Internship
37 MBa Intern with a

Software Startup
29 Timeline:
Your Internship
38 MBa Brand
Management Intern
39 advertising Intern 40 IT Intern 40 Intern for a

consumer appliance Manufacturer
contents
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Internships: The Big Picture

Overview....................................... 2 Benefits of Internships .................. 2 Why They Want You ..................... 3
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chapter 1 INTERNShIpS: ThE BIG pIcTURE
Overview
An internship cAn be one of the most effective tools for success in the business worlda vehicle to take you from where you are to where you want to go. This is true whether youre an undergrad taking the first steps in exploring your options, a graduate student with a clear idea of your career goals, or even an experienced professional aiming to change careers. Internships give you new skills, provide memorable experiences and measurable accomplishments, and let you make valuable professional connections. But be aware: Generally speaking, getting an internship is not a way to make a living. Many interns arent paid. The idea is that the chance to beef up your resume while doing valuable work in a real-world setting should be its own reward. Still, compensation policies will vary by industry, with the more glamorous industries paying the least, if anything. If youre aiming for an internship in entertainment, sports, advertising, or journalism, expect to work for free. Also, take into account your level of experience. The wider the gap in experience between you and a true industry professional, the more willing you should be to work without pay. Its possible to start for free, then request a review along the road to evaluate whether you should be paid. Some internships may qualify as independent study, gaining you academic credits. The availability of internships is less affected by fluctuations in the economy than you might think. Theres good business sense (some might even say cynicism) behind this: When a rough economy forces a company to cut back on its full-time employees, interns can sometimes fill the gap. The internship is a short commitment, and doesnt affect the companys headcount. Also, some industries simply dont have the funds to function without interns.
the experience you add to your resume as the result of a well-chosen internship will give you an advantage over your peers. Internships are a means of inside access; they connect you to the networks of people who influence hiring. Getting an internship is not a guarantee of a full-time position, but it certainly increases your chances. And in some industriesfor instance, finance and accountingcompanies hire almost exclusively out of internship programs. > TIP
By the time they graduate from college, many of your peers have already taken advantage of internships to develop their careersand youll be competing against them for jobs.
Benefits Of internships
chapter 3 GETTING hIRED
chapter 2 ThE SEaRch
Skill Building
Even if your internship doesnt result in a job at the company, it will still help you build marketable skills. The fieldwork is a chance to hone your communication skills, learn how to work as part of a team, take ownership of projects, and figure out how to take initiative.
chapter 4 NavIGaTING YoUR INTERNShIp
induStry ExpoSurE
The knowledge youll acquire in an internship will be firsthand. Sure, you can find out about industry trends, key players, and company performance on the Internet. But that cant compare to what youll learn working alongside the pros. Why was Product X introduced? Why did they change the marketing strategy for Service Y? Of all the competitors a company has, which is the one that poses the biggest threat? As an intern, youll gain insights you couldnt possibly obtain by research alone.
chapter 5 FoR YoUR REFERENcE
chapter 5 REal INTERN pRoFIlES
InsIder sCOOP
Our internship program is a key tool for identifying our future consultants.
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nEtworking, MEntoring, and rEfErEncES

How many times have you heard, Its who you know? Your supervisors, coworkers, and fellow interns likely all have connections to the hidden job market. Ask thoughtful questions and reveal your interests. Establish a positive relationship with your supervisor, and ensure you receive evaluations during and at the end of your tenure. Even if your ties to the organization dont guarantee a full-time job, they can be a valuable source of recommendations or references for your next career move.
says one senior marketing director. We get to see how they perform on the job for 10 to 12 weeks doing real work. Its the surest way of finding out if theres a good fit between us and the student.
InsIder sCOOP
We like to hire people whove already worked at the company. Its a matter of try before you buy.
acadEMic crEdit
Many schools offer academic credit for approved internships in your area of study. Generally, to receive credit, you must get prior approval. Check with your academic advisers about credit requirements. Eligibility may depend on such factors as the duration of the internship, the nature of the projects, supervision, and evaluations.
Employers sometimes use interns to test the supervisory skills of management candidates within the company. Coaching, mentoring, training, and delegating are all interpersonal managerial skills employees need to develop to gain promotions. Some companies even ask interns if their supervisors are doing a good job in training them.
chapter 3 GETTING hIRED chapter 4 NavIGaTING YoUR INTERNShIp
> TIP
While youre gleaning inside information about the nature of the work, future projects, and areas of growth, youre also letting your colleagues see firsthand the quality of your work and your enthusiasm. the contacts you make may help you land a permanent position.
interns perform reAl work for companies. They can provide useful extra hands on special projects. Moreover, an internship program can help a company build goodwill in the business and educational communities. And for corporations, the real value of internships comes as an extension of the recruiting process. Internships provide us the best opportunity to make full-time hiring decisions regarding students,
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why they want yOu
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The Search
Types of Internships ...................... 6 The Scoop on Unpaid Internships ....................... 7 Sources for Internship Leads ......... 9 Identifying Your Ideal Internship........................... 10 Internships Abroad.......................11 Timing the Search ....................... 13
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this guide uses the term internship to cover any experiential learning opportunity: a position, paid or unpaid, developed for people who are in a school program (undergraduate or postgraduate), have recently left college, or who have professional experience but are aiming to change careers. SuMMEr intErnShipS
This is the most common type of internship, bringing students on board during their summer vacations. Some companies may hire interns for a quarter or a semester during the school year. These positions are labeled according to the academic period involved, such as fall intern or winter quarter intern.
types Of internships
ties outside the schools purview, corporations will often design co-ops in partnership with universities and will be considered part of the educational experience. Co-ops are usually paid. Technology employers, such as engineering and computer/IT companies, are the most likely to have co-op programs. Career centers for engineering and computer science are especially familiar with these programs. Longer-term co-ops generally involve the student more fully in meaningful projects. Much like an apprenticeship in many trades, a co-op position can serve as an employers way of screening and training future professionals.
> TIP
Develop a solid command of the industry and the employer to demonstrate your knowledge and your desire to work with your target companies.
SuMMEr aSSociatE prograM

If you have an internship in the legal, banking, or strategy consulting fields, particularly if youre in law school or getting an MBA, youre likely to have the title summer associate. These firms, even more than other employers, look for new full-time associates from within the ranks of their interns. The title itself is something of a marketing tool used to attract candidates, implying that summer associate is the step before associate. In some MBA disciplines, you cant get a diploma without having served as a summer associate between your first and second years. In the banking industry, the title summer associate has supplanted junior associate in corporate publications and recruiting materials. However, the latter title is still used in the everyday language of partners and executives. In law firms, a summer associate is typically a student between the second and third year of law school.
othEr routES to ExpEriEntial Education

temping
If used shrewdly by a student, temporary agencies can become a sort of paid internship. General temp agencies typically offer standard office work, but specialized staffing agencies fulfill requests for temporary and permanent staff in particular fields. A number of national as well as smaller regional staffing firms include specialized divisions such as management/consulting, accounting/finance, legal, technology, and creative/ marketing. If no specialized staffing agency serves your area, you can go with a general temp agency and request particular placements, such as with biotech companies or PR firms. The agency may see you as picky, but try to make it worth its while by developing an in-demand skill expertise in website production, as an examplefor which it has a hard time fulfilling orders.
coopErativE Education (co-op)

A co-op is an employer-sponsored work program that generally lasts longer than a summer or a term. Although internships are usually independent activi-
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Making your own internship

What if the organization youre targeting doesnt have an internship program? You can still try to work there by pitching a project of your own devising. This is an especially good tactic with smaller companies and startups. Theyre likely to have the flexibility to be open to your project ideas. Research the company; find ways its activities dovetail with your own interests and career goals. Find someone in the department where youd like to work. Discuss some of your own strengths as a way of kick-starting ideas. You could find a way of helping the company while furthering your professional goals. Some companies do have formal programs at national or regional headquartersbut that doesnt mean you cant target a branch office for project work. If these companies try to redirect you to their conventional recruiting pipelines, emphasize you want to create a unique experience and youd prefer to take less compensation in return for having more control over your work.
the scOOp On unpaid internships
Working for free may sound like a raw deal.

The unfortunate reality is that many internships come with no paycheck attached, and that may leave you feeling a bit exploited. Volunteering at a nonprofit is one thing, but being taken advantage of by a moneymaking enterprise is quite another. Although theres no denying the financial difficulty presented by a summer or semester of unpaid work, in many cases the internship will provide a value that goes well beyond dollars and cents. The experience may be its own reward. So could the ability to add an elite name to your resume and the opportunity to rub elbows with industry power players. Before you talk yourself out of an unpaid internship, consider the following:
fear: Id be better off making money at a regular summer
chapter 2 ThE SEaRch chapter 3 GETTING hIRED chapter 4 NavIGaTING YoUR INTERNShIp
SElf-MadE intErnShipS
Chris, a student at the University of texas at Austin, contacted an alumnus who had just taken a job in Nikes childrens apparel division. Chris had done some research on this market and analyzed key competitors. he shared his perceptions with the alumnus, who was impressed with his initiative and insight. the alumnus talked Chris up with his colleagues and helped him land a summer internship. Michael contacted Capital Sports & Entertainment (CSE), the agency that represents Lance Armstrong. he proposed a number of ideas that could help the firm generate revenue. his enthusiasm and follow-through led to a summer internship, and CSE was so impressed with his work that it kept him as a part-time employee during his final year in school. After graduation, CSE asked him to join the firm full time.
job.
reality: Internships are a perfect way to test-drive a job
or industry before graduation. Love writing for your universitys newspaper, but wonder whether a professional newsroom is the place for you? An internship provides a glimpse of what its like to work in the industry. Whether you end up loving or hating it, what you learn from the experience will shape your post-college job search.
fear: Im going to end up stuffing envelopes and fetching
lattes every day.

reality: Ultimately, its not the tasks that count; its
whom youre doing them for. Connections are currency. Even gofer work can create a positive impression on people who will be in a position to hire you down the road. By answering calls or running errands for a VP, youll be meeting the people they meet. Make sure to
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take advantage of your insider statusdont be afraid to offer to buy a cup of coffee for senior employees.
fear: Theyll take advantage of my hunger for experience. reality: Not if youve done your research beforehand.
Identify the companies you hope to work for, then research each one. Does a company have a good reputation within the community? Does its website explain the internship in any detail? Try to contact the person in charge of the internship program to ask about the structure of the program and the types of activities youll do. Visit your schools career services officeit might be able to help you connect with students or alums whove interned at the same place. The more you know about the internship, the better youll be able to gauge what lies ahead.
fear: Without a paycheck, I wont have anything to show for the time I spent there.
find out if youll have the chance to spearhead an idea of your own and have the ability to walk away from the experience with a tangible product that represents your work.
fear: Theyll stick me in a broom closet and forget
about me.
reality: In many cases, the reason a company will engage interns is that theres real work to be done. If you cant be sure this is the case, lay the groundwork for a productive internship from the get-go. An educational plan is a must, because it will set the benchmark for the skills and enrichment you want to acquire. In addition to those goals, arrange for weekly feedback sessions with your manageras little as 20 minutes a week will do. These sessions will help you gauge where you need to develop professionally, make sure youre workload is appropriate, and allow you to seek out new, interesting projects.
reality: If youre doing an internship for academic credit, your school will play a role in ensuring your tasks will meet clear requirements for learning and enrichment. However, if youre setting up an internship on your own, be sure to ask probing questions in your interview about the sorts of tasks youll be given, the projects youll be expected to complete, and whom youll report to. Find out if youll have the chance to spearhead an idea of your own and have the ability to walk away from the experience with a tangible product that represents your work.
InsIder sCOOP
Youre just as responsible for ensuring that the internship is mutually beneficial as the employer is.
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sOurces fOr internship Leads

pErSonal rESourcES
Your friends, family, and school contacts might have ideas and connections that can help you identify and land that ideal internship:
internet
Job and career websites and company websites all have searchable databases. A job-posting site could offer hidden gemsalong with plenty of duds.
trade publications
These often list internship programs, with contact information and descriptive summaries.
family
More solid opportunities come from contacts made through family members than any other source.
professional conferences
Most have student rates; some let you attend for free in exchange for one day of volunteering. Also, most conferences have student receptions. Attend them to network with peers and working professionals.
friends
Use them well, and find out if their families have connections.
professors
Treat any contact that comes from a professor like gold. He might have spent years cultivating it.
company websites
Many students overlook the career section of a companys website in favor of the big job-posting sites. However, many company sites let you apply online. Even better, get the name of a recruiter at the company from your career center and personally follow up on your online application.
career centers
They have vast usable contacts and opportunities. Keep in mind, though, its a career centers job to help you get a position, not to get it for you.
professional associations
If theres a career youre interested in, theres a professional, dues-paying association for it. Most have student rates. Contact the association to learn about internship opportunities. Local chapter meetings may present opportunities to find out whos hiring.
alumni
The alumni office and its website will usually provide the means to search for alumni in your targeted industry.
gEnEral rESourcES
A wealth of internship-related information is available from the following sources:
news
Whos hot and whos not? Keeping up on the news can give you the inside scoop on why you should call a target company, and it can help you propose a study on industry trends.
Job fairs
These offer opportunities to speak directly with company representatives about current or future opportunities. It helps to have a resume and a focused message to make the most of the recruiters time. Check out the WetFeet guide, Conquering the Career Fair, for more information.
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there Are severAl options for identifying and securing internships. Whether youre interviewing through on-campus recruiting programs or using other methods, you are ultimately your own headhunter. Some companies with formal programs may not recruit on your campus and others may not even have formal programs, but you should still be looking at these employers. In these cases, the path is similar to the oncampus process, but you must initiate contact. dig dEEp
You would not buy a car without doing research on it. Treat an internship the same way. Unfortunately, theres no Consumer Reports for internships. The companys website will offer a basic outline with a certain amount of hype; you certainly arent getting an unbiased opinion. Some assiduous digging can yield results. You might get an idea of what to expect from a review on Glassdoor.com, which provides an inside look at jobs and companies, or a blog post. LinkedIn is a great source for background checks, and so is your schools alumni database. With a little bit of initiative you can turn these resources into veritable Wikipedias of information about internships. When you target a specific company, use the sites search function to find some recent interns within your network. When you spot them, send friendly queries about their interning experiences. Did they work on important projects? Did they receive on-the-job mentoring? What was the workplace atmosphere like? If the answers are no, no, and toxic and suffocating, move on to other employers.
identifying yOur ideaL internship
person in you chosen field and cultivate the relationship. A mentor, wise to the ways of the world and the workplace, can help you realize your goals. She will have ideas about which companies will make good targets for your internship search. She also can serve as an example of how success is achieved in your industry, set a benchmark for the skills youll need, and provide insight on how to avoid the typical pitfalls.
your hoMEwork aSSignMEnt

Research is the single most important thing you can do before any interview. With so many resources availablethe Internet, career centers, career fairstheres no excuse for being uninformed. But the most critical part of your research will be contacting people with experience in the company and within the field. talk to alumni who have worked for your prospective employer. Meet with peers whove done internships in the same target functional area or industry. theyll help you pick up the lingo and give you a clear, insightful understanding of the industry and the company itself.
SElf-aSSESSMEnt
Because internships take many forms, you should ask yourself some hard questions before beginning your search. 1. your objectives: What industry do you want to work in? What kind of role do you see yourself filling? Do you want to work part time or full time? Do you need to be paid? Do you have a minimum? Do you want to work in a specific city? Do you want to work for an organization of a specific size? 2. your interests and abilities: What types of mental challenges do you enjoy?
find a MEntor
A mentor can be an invaluable support in your internship search. Through your personal networkfriends, family, previous jobsyou should find an experienced
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How well do you communicate in writing and in person? Get an honest opinion from someone with good communications skills. Do you prefer to research and analyze or discover and create? 3. your personality: Do you prefer to work alone or on a team? Can you sit at a desk for hours and remain productive or do you have to move around to stay energized? Do you prefer working with a lot of direction and limited flexibility or are you more comfortable with open-ended assignments that require you to be a self-starter?
InsIder sCOOP
Even before I applied for the internship in Bangalore, I got grilled by people in my universitys co-op office. they wanted to make sure that I could handle the adversity of India, and the fact that Id be one of only two or three Americans in the company.
U.S.-based programs offering international work exchanges or structured volunteer positions will usually provide participants with the appropriate papers. The key prerequisite to gaining an internship abroad is a willingness to step out of your comfort zone. Youll be encountering new cultures and new languages. You may be headed to a place that lacks the living amenities you take for granted. An overseas internship can be a real test of your flexibility and maturity. But the cultural skills you acquire can give a distinct boost to your career prospects. Companies are desperately seeking people who have cross-cultural competency, says Paula Caligiuri, the author of Get a Life, Not a Job. The experience wont simply strengthen your chances of working overseas; it can help you land a job domestically. Business is a global proposition, which makes cultural competency a highly valued quality. In the words of one university career-services office, College grads who understand that their customers or their clients might come from a different background than their own have an important skill set.
takE invEntory
your internship seArch could be a great opportunity to find work overseas. In fact, work programs are becoming more prevalent as alternatives to traditional foreign study. From a summer analyst position at a Brazilian investment bank to an environmental conservation internship with a Bangladeshi nonprofit, opportunities for interning in a foreign land are attainable. Be aware that most countries demand work permits for paid internships and other kinds of short-term employment; you have to get these in the U.S. before heading abroad. The process may be easier if youre working for a U.S. company with overseas offices.
internships aBrOad
When youre trying to identify internship opportunities abroad, start by considering your motives. Do you see this experience as a way to hone specific work-related skills, or more as a cultural immersion? Consider your level of comfort with risk. Would you be okay going to a country where you dont know the language? Are you willing to work in a third-world country or one where women dont enjoy equal rights?
InsIder sCOOP
Whether youre in Mumbai or San Juan, it helps to have people on the ground.
By fleshing out your objectives, you should be able to narrow your search to two or three countries. Further, consider the feasibility of each: Do you have
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friends or family living abroad? Do you have background knowledge of a specific country through your studies? Is there a special skill you can hone only in one particular country or region? Use your schools career center to narrow down your overseas choices. Find out what prerequisites the internships demand. Are there any applicable grants or school-sponsored placement programs? Your school may subscribe to valuable Web-based references such as Going Global (www.goinglobal.com) or Uniworld (www.uniworldbp.com), offering comprehensive job listings and guides to individual countries, along with lists of top employers and visa regulations. Dont hesitate to tap into the powerful networking potential of your academic community. Contact professors who have worked or done research in your target country. Identify alumni who live there, and see if the career center can provide names of students who have recently interned there. In many cases, the right contact is within reach but out of sight. For example, theres a good chance the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has an association devoted to the economic interests of your target country. For instance, the American Chamber of Commerce of Argentina provides job listings and a place to post your resume or CV. Also, the AmericanArgentine Chamber of Commerce, located in the U.S., provides similar listings, including committee members (perfect points of contact) and country data. Because organizations like these make it their missions to promote trade and investment, youll find theyre eager to help. You might consider using a for-profit placement program to help you find your overseas internship. Sure, youll be spending money, but considering the time youll save in research and arrangements, the fee may be worth it. Still, find out something about the outfits reputation before laying down your hard-earned cash. And make sure its offering the kind of experience youre aiming fornot a glorified field trip.
intErnational StudEntS
If youre a foreign national studying in the U.S., your internship possibilities may be limited. Of course, you will need the proper work permits. (Information on different types of educational and work visas is available at J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program, a government website: http://j1visa.state. gov/) Be aware that some employers have a policy against sponsoring international students for permanent work authorization, so those employers are unlikely to hire international students as interns. If your university arranges co-op programs, you may be in luck: Because co-ops are part of the curriculum, the school might handle the task of obtaining the necessary papers for foreign students.
MakE it count
Foreign firms may have a different idea of what the word intern means than a domestic employer would. To ensure an enriching experience, you should get the job description, development plan, and the employers expectations on paper before you set sail.
InsIder sCOOP
When I spent a semester interning in Greece, they honestly didnt know what to do with me. they were almost afraid to delegate their work.
If you work for an American firm abroad, youre more likely to go through a classic internship. Youll also find yourself on a clearer path to a full-time job with the company. On the downside, you may get less experience of the country itself than if you were working for a foreign firmyoull be more immersed in corporate culture than local culture. A careerservices pro says, You can live and work in another
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country and still be in a big bubble. But there are ways to escape this trap. Have lunch outside rather than in the company cafeteria. Make friends with your non-American colleagues and invite them out for drinks after work. Join a local club. The more local you can get, the better.
When to run the other Way

Not all internships are created equal. Some positions that might look like internships are really just part-time temp jobs available to almost anyone. they may even be unchallenging busywork that an employer would rather not assign to staff. You might get paid at this type of job, but chances are slim youll rack up good, resume-building experience. here are some tips for recognizing shady internships:
theres no hArd-And-fAst schedule for the process of getting an internship, but you should expect to take the following steps: 1. Decide what kind of internship you want and when youll be able to start. 2. Learn about existing opportunities. 3. Put together your application package: resume, cover letter, references. 4. Chart deadlines for internships of interest: application due dates, the start of formal recruiting. 5. Prepare for interviews through research. 6. Do interviews and follow-ups. 7. If your initial plans fall through, cast a wider net.
Each of these steps takes time. If youre unclear about your career goals, you might need more time than if you already know your functional area and target companies. But be sure to begin the process several months before you hope to start an internship. This means that the process of finding a summer internship should begin in the fall for undergraduates; for graduate students, it usually begins before the school year starts.
timing the search
It promises quick
money and lots of it. If it sounds too good to be trueit is. zation you cant find in the Yellow Pages. tises its internships on flyers all over campus. job and the pay is based on commission.
interests to see if youre a good fit for the position.
You get vague
Its a small organi-
answers to your questions about the work youd be doing. a questionable location, such as a warehouse area or a persons home. doesnt ask you to complete a job application before making you an offer. telling you to get out as fast as you can!
the employer adver-
the offices are in
Its a sales-related
the employer
the employer
doesnt inquire about your experience, background, or career
Your instincts are

chapter 5 REal INTERN pRoFIlES chapter 5 FoR YoUR REFERENcE
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Getting Hired
The Recruiting Process ................ 16 What Employers Want ................ 17 Timeline: Landing an Internship............................... 18 Getting Your Act Together .......... 19 Interviewing 101 ......................... 19
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the recruiting prOcess

rulES of EngagEMEnt
As you aim for that ideal internship, youll be competing with many other highly qualified candidates. Here are some ways you can improve your odds:
do legwork
Dont sit around and wait for recruiters to come to you. Find good contacts at the companypeople with a role in internship hiring decisionsthrough your alumni database, through LinkedIn, and through whatever personal contacts youve established. Email them, tell them about yourself and your qualifications, and explain your reasons for wanting this internship.
use your Best resource

Career centers are your greatest ally in the recruiting process. Take advantage of them. Check with your career center to stay up to date with recruiting events, sign up for newsletters, and visit its career resource site regularly.
Make contact
If you know a recruiter will be coming to campus or attending a local career fair, initiate contact one week prior. Perhaps the employer has a Facebook page or LinkedIn profile. Become a friend or fan, and send the company a message. Let the recruiter know youre looking forward to meeting. Make yourself stand out from the competition by showing a sincere interest in the company. Dont forget to double-check your spelling. And dont be a Facebook stalker: One message is enough.
gather intelligence
The number-one complaint among recruiters is students lack of research. When you show up for an interview, you should have a pretty good idea of the companys products and operations. Use the news media, Web sources, and any information your career center can provide.
Be a good Sport
If you get a no at any point, take it gracefully. Sending the representative a thank-you note is a good touch.
Stay focused
You cantand shouldnt want toapply to every internship you come across. Nor should you try to talk to every recruiter who shows up on campus. If youre looking at a list of twenty five companies, choose the top five. That focus will help you delve into each company and tailor your pitch to the particular opportunity. Otherwise, youll be spreading yourself too thin.
on-caMpuS rEcruiting
The classic internship recruiting process, in which students work with the companies who scout on campus, follows a general pattern. 1. Youll start by registering with the career office and completing a profile that includes at least one version of your resume. 2. Youll submit your resume to compete for interview slots. On many campuses, this is known as the resume drop. 3. If a company has chosen you as a candidate, its representatives will interview on campus. 4. If you make the cut, the next round of interviews takes place at corporate offices.
go into training
If possible, schedule a mock interview at your schools career center. Some centers will videotape the interview so you can review your performance. Get your resume critiqued and attend interview workshops.
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what empLOyers want
integrity
Be truthful in all your dealings with the organization. Dont exaggerate your GPA; dont put false information on your resume. And dont withhold information youll have to reveal if you get the internship.
As An orgAnizAtion screens candidates during

career fairs and interviews, its looking at three things: ability, possibility, and fit: 1. Ability is the sum of your past achievements, your aptitude, and your skills. These are the elements you can offer an employer right off the bat. Even though employers will not expect a student to have a huge amount of work experience, your grades will offer an index of your ambition and your dedication to hard work. Needless to say, all of this should be spelled out on your resume. 2. possibility is what you might become for the employeryour potential. Your past projects may offer a key to this; so may your aspirations and an air of motivation. Your grades, of course, are also an indication of what you can offer the company. 3. fit is suitability, a knack for adapting to and internalizing the company culture. Can you work within the system?
people Skills
Draw on your life experience to demonstrate you can deal with people effectively and work on a team. Nobody expects an internship candidate to be able to draw on a wide range of work experiences. But did you handle small children effectively as a babysitter? Did you collaborate on the set design for a school play?
chapter 2 ThE SEaRch chapter 3 GETTING hIRED
technical Skills
These vary from industry to industry. But if youre looking for an internship at an investment bank, you had better be able to demonstrate your aptitude at financial analysis. You wont have much of a shot at an IT internship if youve never taken a course in computer technology. And if youre looking for a spot on a magazine, you better have the clippings to argue for it.
your Skill SEt

Besides the general characteristics detailed above, recruiters are keeping an eye out for specific skills. In your resume, in your interaction with recruiters, and of course during your interview, you should highlight the following.
initiative
Your behavior during the recruiting process is a key to demonstrate youre motivated. Dont expect the recruiters to hold your hand; show them through your actions that youre a self-starter. You should provide examples, from school or previous job experience, where you volunteered for an important task or proposed a new project.
communication Skills
Prepare a great cover letter for each employer. (Nothing will sink your chances faster than a generic cover letter.) Practice your responses to common interview questions (Tell me about yourself. Why do you want to work for us? How do you imagine your career path?). Make your answers concise and informative.
work Ethic
Offer examples of how your hard work helped you accomplish a task. Make sure recruiters know about your nonacademic achievements: Perhaps youre an accomplished pianist, or a green belt in tae kwon do. Volunteer work is a great indicator of your work ethicif youre a Big Brother or Big Sister, dont hide it!
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timeLine: Landing an internship
Spring Semester
Review the Fall Semester items listed above, noting that some companies have earlier deadlines for applications. Continue to check the job listings on the career website, preferably twice a week...new jobs and internships are listed daily throughout the semester. Apply for summer jobs or internships. After submitting an application, cover letter and resume, call the employer to be sure your materials arrived (allow sufficient time for applications to get to their destinations before calling); ask if the employer needs any further information from you. If the employer isnt coming to campus, schedule an interview over spring break or whenever you can arrange to meet; most employers will want to meet with you before offering you a position. Always send a thank-you letter after each interview. This is not only a courtesy, its a confirmation of your sincere interest in the position.
you WAnt to start thinking about your internship well in advanceas much as a year ahead. Heres a rough idea of the various steps youll need to take and when youll need to take them.
Spring/Summer (the year Before) and fall Semesters

Assess your interests; know your skills; set realistic job goals; and develop a plan of action. Attend cover letter and job search workshops offered by university career services centers. Prepare your resume. Check the job listings on your schools career center website, preferably twice a week. New jobs and internships are listed daily throughout the semester. Note that companies have various deadlines for applications. Attend job fairs and career symposiums to make employer contacts, conduct informational interviews, and to pick up information about the organization. (Note that interviews may take place at job fairs, in which case you should contact employers a week to a month before to submit resumes.) Research potential employers. Set up informational interviews for your breaks. You can find potential sources through your schools alumni database or LinkedIn. Start applying for summer opportunities.
buzz Killers
Remember, the interviewing process isnt designed just to find the right candidates; it also screens out the wrong ones. here are some mistakes that can throw you out of the running:
A resume thats
fall Break, thanksgiving, and winter Break

Start your networking in earnest. Let your family, friends, relatives, former teachers and coaches know youre looking for summer opportunities. Attend on-campus employer information sessions. Identify and research local employers while home during the break.
poorly organized or doesnt reflect the skills required for the position
Substandard
A generic cover
letter. If it uses phrases such as your company or this position, theyll smell a rat. sloppy attire
written or oral communication skills: Bad grammar and misspellings can sink your chances.
Bad manners Lack of enthusiasm Arrogance timidity
Poor grooming and
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getting yOur act tOgether
interviewing 101
your self-presentAtion is key to landing

an internship. Dont approach the process haphazardly. Through careful preparation, you can maximize your appeal as a candidate and get a leg up on the competition. Here are some tips: have your resume reviewed and reviewed and reviewed againthe more eyes, the better. Take advantage of any relevant workshops offered by your college career center. research the employer. Use newspapers, magazines, and websites. Contact former and present employees, especially recent interns and graduates, and seek out information. practice, practice, practice. Conduct a mock interview and videotape it if possible. Then review the tape and make notes about the things you did well and the areas youd like to improve. College career centers will usually offer interview workshops, mock interviews and even video critiques. get feedback from your peers about your conversational style. If you come off sounding cockytone it down. If you sound halting and unsure of yourself, work on projecting confidence. dress for the part. Company employees can give you a sense of the dress code, but if anything, you should err on the side of being too formal. The day before an interview, lay out the clothes you plan to wearyou dont want to find a missing button on your shirt minutes before youre about to leave. Approach the interview with confidence. Recognize the attributes that make you a good candidateand own them.
youve mAde the cut; now is the critical

juncture when you find yourself face-to-face with an interviewer. Of course, youll know enough about the companys culture to dress and conduct yourself like a member of the firm. Here are some other essential precepts to bear in mind. (For the specifics of conducting a great interview, consult one of WetFeets Ace Your Interview guides.)
BE EnthuSiaStic
This is basic. Enthusiasm alone wont land you the internship. But if you dont seem avid about the prospect of getting the job, the employer will quickly pass you overits that simple. And lip service isnt enough. You may say youre enthusiastic about the prospect of working for the company, but if you act apathetic or bored, youre cooked. You should make your enthusiasm clear through attentive posture, an alert tone of your voice, and a smile that says youre glad to be there. Greet the interviewer warmly. Make eye contact, smile, and offer a firm handshake. You should say something like, Im delighted youre taking the time to meet me, and Im really excited about this position and eager to learn more about it. Let him know up front youre glad to have this opportunity. A show of enthusiasm is vital. Inevitably, during the internship itself therell be moments when your energy flags, and employers know this. But if youre unenthusiastic at the start of the process, it bodes ill for your future demeanor on the job.
chapter 3 GETTING hIRED chapter 4 NavIGaTING YoUR INTERNShIp chapter 5 REal INTERN pRoFIlES
ExudE confidEncE
To inspire an employers confidence in your abilities, youve got to demonstrate confidence in yourself. During the nerve-wracking course of a job interview, this may be easier said than done. But bear in mind the basics of confident body language: Make frequent eye contact with your interviewer. Speak up, but not too fast. Dont fidget. Sit upright, but not rigidly.
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Most of all, come prepared to state your strengths. Give concrete examples of how youve put them to use. Dont overstate your accomplishments, but dont downplay them either. Keep self-deprecating humor to a minimum: It may be fine when youre with your friends, but this is neither the time nor place for it. If remaining confident is a struggle for you, give yourself a pep talk before the interview. Better yet, enlist an enthusiastic friend to give you one. Or, practice techniques for managing your nerves such as deep breathing and visualizing success. If youre at ease, the interviewer will be too.
> TIP
Be aware you may have the opportunity to ask just two or three questions, so choose wisely.
youre paying attention and youre truly interested in the job and the company. But offer questions carefully. You can kill yourself with a question if it shows a lack of knowledge about the company, says an internship hiring supervisor. Dont ask questions you could have answered yourself by spending a few minutes on the employers website. A good question may resemble one of these: How does this internship fit into the larger organization? What are some of the critical challenges in this department? What management style can I expect? Can you describe the performance review process? But as you research the company, other relevant questions may spring to mind. If the opportunity presents itself, be sure to ask them.
know your liMitS

Some people spend the night before an interview boning up on company facts and figures as though cramming for the test of their lives. But interviews arent oral exams; they are an exchange between two people, who may soon be coworkers, about shared professional interests. You do need to know something about the industry and the organization, but youre not expected to know it alljust enough to ask your interviewer informed questions, to understand the questions your interviewer asks, and to give reasonable answers. Your common sense should prepare you to give sound answers to any questions that may arise about how you would handle a specific problem during your internship. The details will emerge later, when you become part of the team. Like any other conversation, an interview requires give and take, so dont expect to dominate it. Give your interviewer a chance to contribute to the conversation.
rapport iS vital
Once recruiters are done interviewing a round of candidates, the first thing they will ask each other is, What did you think? Theyll share their gut reactions. A candidate is either a fit or he isnt. Even if youre a leading contender for the position on paper, your chances of getting an offer are slim if youve failed to build rapport with the interviewer. Theres no foolproof way of turning your interviewer into an ally. But here are some tactics that can put you in a good light: When responding to a question, give a brief overview of the points you want to cover and clear them with the interviewer. For example: I did a school projects integrating aspects of finance, marketing and operations. Would you like to hear the details? Appropriate humor (in small doses!) is a good thing. If you arent sure of the meaning of a question, ask clarifying questions. Mean what you say. If you seem insincere, itll be an immediate turnoff. Make sure you close the interview. Reiterate your
QuEStionS and anSwErS

The old saying, Theres no such thing as a bad question, does not pertain to the interview process. When you ask the right questions in an interview, it shows
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interest in the position and ask for the interviewers business card. Give a friendly closing handshake as well.
> TIP
When the interview is over, send a thank-you note within 24 hours. Email is okay; snail mail is even better. Include thoughtful comments about the session. When relevant, refer to some personal fact the interviewer mentioned: Good luck shopping for that new van, or howd you do at racquetball?
chapter 2 ThE SEaRch chapter 3 GETTING hIRED chapter 4 NavIGaTING YoUR INTERNShIp chapter 5 REal INTERN pRoFIlES chapter 5 FoR YoUR REFERENcE
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Navigating Your Internship

Hitting the Ground Running ......24 Acting Like a Pro ........................25 Making the Most of Your Internship ...................... 27 Timeline: Your Internship ...........29
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hitting the grOund running
your internship is a short-term proposition.

Most likely, the summer will be over before you even know it. Thats why you have to make every day count. The process should start even before you show up at the office. Heres where the research you did to prepare for the interview really pays off. Your contact with insiders will have started you on the road toward understanding how the company and the industry work. Each industry has its own lingo; by now you should have started picking some of this up. You should know the technical jargon youll need in your new job, any recent developments in the company, and the names and functions of the companys top brass. Your new colleagues will see this as an encouraging sign of your interest.
> TIP
If at all possible, before you begin your internship, speak with the professionals whose team youll be joining. Ask about their careers and professional interests, ongoing projects, and challenges. Also ask for advice. the knowledge will be usefuland so will the rapport youve started to build.
BEforE you Start

Your search is over once youve accepted the internshipbut your work has just begun. Find out to whom you will be reporting. Contact that person well before you show up at work. Find out what projects she has in mind for you. If the answer is vague, try to elicit details as politely and diplomatically as you can. Explain that you put a high priority on doing good work and you need to prepare as thoroughly as possible. You also can request being assigned to a particular area or particular type of project. But dont appear too demanding because these conversations with your boss will set the tone of future dialogue. Youll also get a sense of your bosss managerial stylewhether detached
and formal, or laid-back and approachable. It helps to know what lies ahead. Say youre entering a marketing internship. You may prefer to gain exposure to pricing and promotional strategies for existing offerings on the one hand, or to the researching, planning, and structuring of new offerings on the other. Discuss your preferences with the appropriate people before you start. The discussion may help you shape the internship to suit your personal career goals. You may have certain amount of flexibility in determining the scheduling of your internship. For instance, in the interest of accommodating different school schedules, the employer will often give you a choice of start date. Consider this carefully. You may have hoped for a nice vacation after exams. But this can throw your internship off course. Ideally, youll start at the same time as, or even before, the other interns. If you show up after everyone else has started, youll have to catch up. Youll miss orientation sessions, possibly even the chance to work on choice projects. If youre planning to take a vacation later in the summer, get a sense of how much wiggle room you have. Some employers will not even consider you for the job unless they are sure to get a summerlong commitment from you. Others may grant the permission but resent the time you take away from your internship. Theyve committed time and resources to making your internship productive and they want to get maximum benefit out of it
InsIder sCOOP
So many people think an internship is all about the final projectthe great climax at the end of your three months. I think its so much more about the first two weeks. thats when you establish yourself with your team. Based on your first impression, people are going to decide whether to take the time to support you in your internship. Assistant Brand Manager
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Your employer will usually make sure you have all the proper resources when you show up for your internship: a workstation, a company email address, voicemail. But these details can sometimes fall between the cracks. Dont be afraid to sort out in advance; it will save valuable time during that precious first week.
Stay positive
No one wants to work with a grouch. If you maintain a positive, can-do attitude during your internship, youll show yourself as someone who coworkers will want to see againin a full-time position.
Be Modest
No need to point out your every accomplishment. Rest assured your managers are watching; they know about it already. A soft sell is the best tactic for proving your worth to the company. Dont aggressively tout your abilities and accomplishments to your manager; let her discover them for herself. And that trick of shooting off an email to her when working into the wee hours? Oldest one in the book. Dont use it more than twice.
InsIder sCOOP
the reporting manager who oversees interns treats them like regular employees. Were looking to see how much direction they need, their initiative, and quality of their work. We check on their progress throughout the summer. Our goal is to be able to make a hiring decision before they depart.
acting Like a prO
act like a full-timer

Never think of yourself as a temp. Dont blow off an assignment just because you think you wont finish before your summer stint ends. If you have any interest in getting hired full time, act like youre in the game for the long haul.
remember, your internship is basically a

long-term interview. That means you need to show the company youd be a worthwhile candidate for a fulltime position. If your supervisors want you to develop certain skills and areas of expertise, apply yourself diligently to the task. And at all times remain professional in your demeanor and your approach to the job. Intern supervisors check in with me frequently during the summer as to whos standing out, says a motion picture company executive. If a supervisor mentions an intern is reliable, honest, driven, humble, enthusiastic, and intelligent, thats a huge plus for me. When I remember an intern and have heard numerous positive comments like that, thats someone I keep my eye on. Here are some key ways you can present yourself as a worthy member of the team:
Swallow your pride

Youre a hot shot at a top university. But one uninformed jerk has the audacity to ask you to send a fax. Dont say thats not in my job descriptionbecause now it is. No matter how menial the task, show how professional you can be. Photocopying and filing may not be glamorous chores, but theyre essential ones. And if you do a sloppy job copying a stack of documents, who will trust you with bigger assignments?
Be Stalwart
Show yourself as somebody your colleagues can lean on. Go out of your way to help others. Stay late and offer assistance when others at the company are overloaded with work. Remember, its never too early to act like youre already an indispensable part of the team.
Be on time
It sounds simple, but punctuality speaks volumes about your professionalism.
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Master the territory

Delve as deep as time allows into the company and the industry. Look for relevant information in the news and in trade magazines.
intErning kryptonitE
Because interns are usually new to the corporate world, theyre sometimes prone to make mistakes a seasoned professional would avoid. Some bad moves can destroy your chances faster than kryptonite can disable Superman. Heres a list of 11 ways to obliterate your job prospects with a single blunder:
InsIder sCOOP
the three most important attributes in getting or keeping a job are attitude, attitude, attitude.
interning under the influence

You have a right to a social life. As long as youre of drinking age, youre free to head to a bar with your coworkers for some happy hour cheer. But wherever alcohol and work mix, proceed with caution. Know your drinking limits and stay well within them. Loud, lewd behavior will nix your chances at the company.
ask Questions
You might have a 3.9 GPA, but you still dont know it alland, guess what? You arent expected to. Most managers would rather answer your questions when you get the assignment than have to fill in the gaps after you turn it in. If you dont understand how to go about an assignment, ask your supervisor for clarification. Find out what resources are available to you. But use your discretion; figure out the right people to question and the right time for doing it. Dont corner a senior vice president at a cocktail party and start asking about the specifics of workflow.
loose lips
Your more experienced colleagues may like to dish the dirt. But its best to turn a deaf ear to gossip. Youre new on the scene and cant afford to get caught up in the crossfire of office politics.
dream-weaving
As bad as it is to get caught nodding off in class, its even worse on the job. Doodling or daydreaming during meetings will attract negative attention right off the bat. If you have to be brought back to reality during meetings, theres no way youll be brought back.
dont Be afraid to Socialize

Sure, youll run into annoying brownnosers who spend more time schmoozing the higher-ups than working. Even more galling, the tactic can sometimes work. The lesson? Although getting the job done is of paramount importance, dont underestimate the importance of building important social connections.
False Friends
It might sound harsh, it might sound Machiavellian, but the astute intern never befriends the first people to seek him out. theres a high probability theyre in need of instant allies. Stay cordial and professional, but not chummy. If you find yourself the lunch pal of a guy who is known for badmouthing the brass, you become guilty by association.
Speak up
Its fairly safe to assume the employer knows about your hope for a full-time job offer. But dont take it for granted. If youve decided you want to come back after graduation, let everyone knowyour boss, your colleagues, and the support staffers who often have the ear of the big guns.
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InsIder sCOOP
too Much information

Yes, you should let your supervisor know what youre up to. But she doesnt need minute-to-minute updates. If youre running out for a cup of coffee, theres no need to interrupt her activities to announce it.
An intern was told to alphabetize a bunch of files, and he thought it was the easiest thing. he was text messaging the whole time and ended up putting five or six things in the wrong order. he ended up getting fired. Even if its small, you may be doing more important things than you think. And many times other peoples jobs are dependent on the jobs the intern does.
Space invasions
The mens washroom? Not a good place to engage your boss in work chatter. Be assured he wants to finish his business in there before attending to the business outside.
axes to grind
Dont complainnot about the company, not about your assignments, not about the cafeteria food. A positive outlook could make or break you in managements eyes.
unfunny Business
Its okay to leave before other colleagues. But as you stroll out the door, never cheerily say, Dont work too hardor youll be branded as the kind of person who says things like that.
impolitic
Religion, politics and sex are not safe subjects for the workplace. Yes, as you develop personal ties with colleagues, these issues may come up. But in any group setting, these topics should stay off the table. Oh, and that risqu email you got from your reprobate uncle? Keep it to yourself.
going awol
Chronic lateness or absence is a certain job-prospect killer. If an unavoidable conflict arises, let your supervisor know. Its best to pick up the phone and ask; if its a sticky situation, he may see an email or a voicemail message as a weasel tactic. And if you call in sick, make sure he cant hear the flight announcements in the background.
fashion Sense
If the other women are wearing closed-toe heels every day, leave the wedge sandals in the closet. And even if you see your supervisors taking business casual to new levels, dont break out the muscle shirts. In business dress, it always makes sense to err on the side of caution.
making the mOst Of yOur internship
An internship presents a great opportunity

for learning and career advancement. Its your responsibility to maximize it. Learn your way around the organization and familiarize yourself with day-to-day operations. Master the companys communications systems and any software programs youll need to do your job. You want to integrate yourself into the offices operations as quickly and thoroughly as possible. When you need help with a task, ask the seasoned staffers. Theyll appreciate your efforts to become a member of the team.
digital distractions
You may be used to treating your iPhone or BlackBerry as an appendage. But while youre on the job, use it only to get your work done. When your supervisor is hovering over your desk, its not the time to send texts to your girlfriend. And those iPhone games? You can play them when you get home.
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Dont stop at questions. Talk to everyone you can. Be sensitive to peoples availabilitythese are busy professionals and they may have more important things to do than chat. But you should be making as many connections as you can with colleagues and supervisors; your internship is a prime networking opportunity. The role you play in your new team is crucial in your effort to make the internship worthwhile. Understand how your skills and background can support the team, says an internship supervisor with a major consulting firm. Look at what other people are doing on projects, and figure out how you can contribute.
you like the work and the work environment. Have you found the qualities that attracted you to the employer in the first place? Is the company a good fit for your style, your values, and your goals? Before you proceed forward to a full-time job, be sure you have found a comfortable fit.
Signing out
Your exit interview may serve two purposes. It will probably be your last chance to get a personal evaluation. But the company team also will probably elicit your feedback about your experience. The information will help the team as it plans future internships. Be open and honest, but focus on the positive. By no means should you turn this into a gripe session. Make constructive suggestions, and dont burn any bridges. When the summer is over, you might be inclined to submerge yourself into the current business of your lifeespecially if youre cramming to fulfill your school requirements. But you shouldnt let go of the connections you made during your internship. If you havent already done so, send thank-you notes immediately to the key people on your team. In the months ahead, keep in touch. Dont be a pest about it, but periodically update them about your activities. Send them articles you think might be of interest. Nurturing this network can give you an inside track on job opportunities within the company. Use LinkedIn aggressively. Add your new contacts, and get a supervisor to recommend you there. Follow up with your fellow interns, check on their plans, and maintain the conversations you started about your ideal job.
InsIder sCOOP
there are definitely times you feel undervalued and unappreciated as an intern, and youre going to be upset and youre going to be stuck doing crappy things, but its all part of the experience. At the end of the day, everybody starts somewhere.
Its up to you to get the full value of your internship. If you find you arent doing the work you expected to do, let your supervisor know. Be diplomatic and dont whine. You cant indicate youre bored with your present project but you may be able to get reassigned to more suitable work. At some point in the processusually halfway through, then again at the endyou will probably go through an evaluation process. This is a great opportunity for personal growth. Listen carefully and with an open mind. Dont be defensive. If they tell you about areas where your skills and work habits can be improved, take heedthese people know what theyre talking about. But theyre also likely to discuss your strengths, which are useful to bear in mind when youre pitching your services in your next job hunt. The evaluation process is a two-way street: While the company is sizing you up, youll be figuring out if
> TIP
If your employer doesnt have events planned for yourself and your fellow interns, take the initiative yourself and suggest some afterwork get-togethers. these can be great networking opportunitiesyour peers may hold the keys to future career opportunities.
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As you contemplAte the summer ahead, it may seem you have all the time in the world. Well, you dont. Your internship is more likely to fly by, reaching its endpoint before you even know it. Thats why its best to plot your route in advance, making sure you progress toward your goals as the internship runs its all-too-short course. (Internships generally run 10 to 12 weeks; weve decided to outline an 11-week stint.) wEEkS 1 and 2: lEarning thE ropES
The first couple of weeks are the time to get to know your workplace. Following are some areas that deserve special attention.
timeLine: yOur internship
people
The ties you establish with your colleagues and your comprehension of their place in the corporate structure are keys to your success during the summer. The following steps will help you map out the jobs human landscape: Familiarize yourself with the companys organizational structure. Find out how your team fits into the department and how the department fits into the division. Who are the key stakeholders in the work you do? Learn who depends on your group for information or resources, and who the group itself depends on. Remember, youre a link in the chain.
lESSonS froM thE frontlinE: intErning doS and dontS

I was interning at a magazine, and was assigned to accompany a reporter covering a premiere at the Metropolitan Opera house. Since Id be standing on the sidelines, I didnt dress up. the reporter ended up having an extra ($15,000) ticket to the show, so he took me. And I was wearing flip-flops! Lesson: Dress professionally when youre on the clock. While working at the front desk as a law-firm intern, I accidentally pushed the alarm button. Oops. the police called back to see if they were neededbut I accidentally hung up on them. Double oops! Minutes later, they called back and demanded I exit the building. I walked outside and found myself surrounded by cops with their weapons drawn. Lesson: Master the phone system on day one. I accidentally CCed my office on an email chain circulating within my extremely conservative family. After that, whenever theyd send out an email blast railing about left-wing government conspiracies, theyd hit reply alland include my entire office! Yikes! Lesson: Dont use your work email for personal messages. We had completed a big project, so our department went on a celebratory lunch cruise. Everyone got a drink ticket for one free drink. Since there were interns under 21, I decided to ask one of them for their ticket. She was talking to somebody I didnt know, who turned out to be a department head! It made me look like a lush. Lesson: Keep it classy when boozing at work events.
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Find out who does what within your group. Learn the role of each member. This knowledge helps especially when youre looking for informationit allows you to target questions to the right person. Learn which group or department members have forged careers along the lines you envision for yourself. Ask them to share their stories and advice. A career-molding insight might be a friendly question away. Make administrative staffers your allies. Receptionists, mail handlers, assistants, and secretaries, IT people, the HR teamall of them can help you navigate the companys systems and gain access to resources. And the way you treat them is a sure reflection of your professionalism.
wEEkS 3 and 4: Making connEctionS

Youre starting to feel more comfortable. Youve been making good progress in your projects; youre getting familiar with the companys tools and jargon. Even more important, youre getting to know your coworkers inside and outside your group. These people can help you reach your goals. Heres how you can use this period to make those connections mean something:
find a Mentor
Seek a senior colleague who can provide advice and give feedback about your work habits and accomplishments. Although some companies have formal mentorship programs, this person will not necessarily just drop in your lap. Use your networking skills. Look within your area and outside of it to find someone you can trust and admire. That person could become your championa key ally in your quest for a full-time job.
work tools
Learn the core methods and tools your group uses, and the terms applied to those processes. The quicker you master them, the sooner youll be an effective group member. Do your colleagues use a specific type of software, planning tool, protocol, or group dynamic process? Your job is to get up to speed on them quickly. Find out where past work is stored and how to access it. Youll likely have some downtime during your first week. Use that time to study the types of deliverables the group has recently produced. Take note of which communication and collaboration tools the group favors. Does it use meeting management software such as Outlook? A real-time instant messaging tool such as Skype? Is there anyone on the road who uses only a cell phone to check email? Better not attach that 10 Mb document if you arent sure.
network within
Make a list of key people, in your group and outside of it, who can help you reach your goals. Contact them to discuss their roles and their challenges. Youll develop a deeper understanding of the work at the company and a better sense of whether you want to work there.
dear diary
One tool that can truly enhance your internship experience is a work diary, recording your activities and accomplishments and evaluating your daily experiences. Aside from helping focus on your goals for the internship, it will provide raw material you can present when youre evaluated toward the end of the process. If your school requires you to write a summary of your internship experience, the diary will be your main source.
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Meeting Expectations
If youre not doing the work you were expecting to do, it should be clear by now. Speak up and let your supervisor know. Make suggestions of how your internship can come closer to your expectations. You might find out the plans the two of you discussed during your first two weeks will come to fruition later, and your patience will be rewarded. Perhaps the groups business needs changed and your expertise is needed for some other vital project. Whatever the case, be diplomatic.
Expand your network

When a colleague or mentor mentions people he works with, inside or outside the company, ask if it would be okay to contact them and mention his name. Use these secondary contacts for information gathering and industry perspectives. Find out what theyre working oneven the projects theyve got on hold. This information could soon prove invaluable.
Scout your prospects

You should have started to get an idea of whether youre interested in full-time work with the company. If so, ask your supervisor, along with the recruiting and HR team, about your prospects. Ask, What can I do to ensure that Im a strong candidate for a full-time position?
what piques your interest

You may identify a more interesting project than the one youre working on. If you want to move on, establish a plan with your supervisor for completing your current work before moving on. Whatever you do, dont indicate youre bored with your present assignment.
Snag an offer
You may have decided you dont want to return to the company. Dont broadcast the fact; try to snag an offer anyway. Other employers will want to know whether your internship resulted in an offer. It will increase your perceived value in the job market.
wEEkS 58: Building BridgES

By now, youre running at full steam. Your duties have been defined and you know your role within your various projects. Now is the time for using the relationships youve established to build bridges for your career.
get reviewed
If a midsummer review was part of your internships agenda, make sure it takes place. When you talk to your supervisor, dont be afraid to mention the ways youve contributed to the team. But also talk about the ways you can improve. Get as much feedback as you can to help you improve your work style and help you adapt to the corporate culture.
the pitFalls oF MeetinGs

Youre a smart, energetic person, and you want to shine before your colleagues. But your first meetings daily team updates, group program reports, brainstorming sessions, project reviews, departmental-planning conclavesare not occasions for strutting your stuff. If youre too aggressive about making your presence known, you run the risk of seeming like an arrogant pup. Minimize the danger by asking your supervisor or a trusted colleague how much youre supposed to participatethen err on the side of caution. the time to express your viewpoint may come after the meeting, but use discretion even then. Still, if youre asked to contribute an opinion, by all means speak up.
go to lunch
As you start becoming friendly with the companys fulltimers, ask them out for one-on-one lunches. In most cases theyll be flattered by your interest and glad to share their expertise. Ask them about their career histories and the ways they got their positions. These conversations can deliver insight about company workings and invaluable career advice.
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wEEkS 9 and 10: SharpEning your focuS

As you wrap up your project deliverables, youll face a blizzard of final meetings and last-minute changes. But its still important to maintain a clear focus on your objectives. Keep the conversations going with the people who make the hiring decisions. Try and create a situation in which you can step right into a great job. If it looks like the perfect job wont be waiting for you, its time to take the reins into your own hands. Envision your ideal rolewithin the company or outside of itand diplomatically share your thoughts with your contacts. If the role doesnt exist, find out which key stakeholders can help you create it and start the conversation rolling. Let your supervisor know about these interactions, because youll need her support. Great opportunities can come your way if youre vocal about what you want.
give thanks
Leave personalized thank-you notes, emails and/or voicemail messages for the people who helped you during the summer. Include the senior executives who may have offered support, and the tech-support people and administrative assistants whove helped you master the workplaces logistics.
returning full time

If youve made a great impression during your tenure, you may find yourself in the enviable position of receiving an offer for full-time employment. Employers will usually provide you with some timeeither weeks or monthsto consider the offer.
final wEEk: SEal thE dEal

With the end in sight, develop a short list of tasks that will help ensure your internship ends with a bang.
finish Strong
Make sure your final performance review takes place. Ask your supervisor to share your performance review (its stellar, right?) with the decision makers who might be able to deliver your dream job.
Show off
If you have a final presentation, find out if you can invite people outside the groupthe key contacts whove aided you in your work and might be vital players in your full-time position. If you cant invite them, ask if you can conduct a separate presentation for them, or at least send them a summary of your work.
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chapter 1 INTERNShIpS: ThE BIG pIcTURE chapter 2 ThE SEaRch chapter 3 GETTING hIRED chapter 5 REal INTERN pRoFIlES
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Real Intern Profiles

Architecture Intern......................36 Magazine Editorial Intern ...........36 MBA Intern with a Startup Software Company...................... 37 MBA Brand Management Intern ....................38 Advertising Intern .......................39 IT Intern .................................... 40 Intern for a Consumer Appliance Manufacturer ............. 40
> We sought out interns from various

industries and asked them to share their internship success stories. From advertising to IT, heres a glimpse into the intern experience.
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architecture intern
what role did you perform?
magazine editOriaL intern

what are you doing in your internship?
My main duty is to send out six weekly e-newsletters to our subscribers. Each days newsletter is a bit different, but my main functions include formatting HTML text, finding photos, copyediting text, and using a web program to deliver the newsletters.
where did you serve your internship?

At an architecture and design firm in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
I spent a lot of time doing the schematic design for the renovation a 300,000-foot historic hotel in the center of town. I also worked on government projects and residential projects, as well as a new museum for the Navajo Code Talkers.
what did you do before?

This is my first formal internship. I did a few short restaurant reviews for a web-based food site, where I was able to get a few clips. I also waitressed.
what drew you to this particular opportunity?

I wanted to work with a diverse set of clients, different from what youd find in a typical urban setting. Also, although I go to school in the East, my college teaches about different architectural styles in different parts of the country.
how did you get your internship?

I applied through my career centers online database of internships. I submitted my resume through there, along with a few of my writing samples, and soon heard that I got an interview.
what did you learn in the course of the internship?

I learned a lot about architectural codes, construction types, accessibility issues, and other areas I need to know in order to prepare for the architectural exam.
what are your career aspirations?

Im not sure what Id like to do with writing, but food and design are my passions. Id like to write a book; Id like to go back to graduate school; Id love to write about food. Because of that, I sought out the food editor here at the magazine and told her about my interest in writing a food piece. A month later, I was published in the October brunch issue!
what surprised you most about this experience?

The biggest surprise was that I was trusted with big responsibilitiesdoing presentations to clients, meeting with contractors and owners. I hadnt anticipated that Id be doing anything better than getting coffee. It was good to know they trusted me enough to do these things.
what kinds of people do well in internships?

As I see it, you can do okaysimply do whats in your job description so you can slap the internship on your resumeor you can go above and beyond. People who are self-starters and have a thirst for knowledge and experience will excel. If something sparks your curiosity, do something about it. Being confident helps. So does being nice!
Might you be interested in full-time work with the company?

Ive still got one more internship to go before I graduate, so I want to get more experience and keep my options open. But I would definitely be interested in going back after college.
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what do you really like about your internship?

I like that I get the experience of working at a top-notch local magazine without the pressure that Id be under in a full-time job here. Its a test run. I get to see what their processes are like, and someday Ill probably apply some in a full-time job. I also like that Ill have this name, kind of like a brand, on my resume, and some good clips to add to my portfolio.

I want to develop more venture-backed companies from seed to harvest. Eventually, I hope to move back into venture capital.

Be a self-starter; be confident, flexible, and able to deal with ambiguity; and have strong communication skills.
what do you dislike?

The monotony. The vast majority of work I do every day is something that I more or less did the day before. I once thought, even if they paid me to do this full time, I wouldnt take it. I guess thats why they give it to an internno full-timer would do this day in and day out.

I enjoy how quickly and directly I can see the results of my work.

The pace of change! Targets in this industry shift quickly. It makes it hard to focus on a few key goals.
mBa intern with a sOftware startup

what do you do in your internship?
Im the business development manager for a venturebacked software company. I work on creating partnerships with other businesses and on marketing to end users.
how can someone get an internship like yours?

Start knocking on the right doors until you get in.
chapter 4 NavIGaTING YoUR INTERNShIp chapter 5 REal INTERN pRoFIlES

I had a lot of entrepreneurial experience. I started an Internet marketing company and my own software firm. Before that, I was an associate in a venture capital firm. Now Im in business school, working toward my MBA.

They found me. The company was looking for a business development intern to work with them during the semester. Specifically, they were looking for someone with my kind of experience.
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mBa Brand management intern

what did you do as an intern?
I was an associate brand management intern at a big consumer packaged goods company. I worked under the general manager who handled a variety of projects and managed a cross-functional team. I worked on new products, from concept to launch. I worked with agencies on advertising and communication campaigns. I worked on finding ways to improve our product quality and margins, and coordinated with global teams to keep our strategy aligned around the world.
aging a large team of cross-functional partners. From business school Ive brought the leadership and negotiations skills required to ensure Im getting the best work from my team and that were meeting all of our deadlines and milestones. Additionally, I have to be able to pull myself out of the details and think about my brand strategically: How do my projects fit in the bigger picture? What is the long term vision for my brand?
what did you really like about your internship?

I liked that I got to use my creative, strategic, and analytic skills every day. There are so many different elements to the job and every day is different so I feel like Im always learning and developing. The internship prepared me for that. I also loved my fellow interns and the brand managers we worked with. Now that Im here full time, Ive got a great group of close friends whom I worked with as an intern.

I worked as a management consultant and as a project manager in the strategy group of a music company.
how did you get the internship?

Through on-campus recruiting at my business school. I met representatives from the company, had informational interviews with them and realized the company would be a good fit for me. Investing the time in getting to know the company and building relationships kept me top-of-mind when it came time to select candidates to interview.
what did you dislike?

Working at a big, public company comes with its fair share of politics and bureaucracy. The training was great, but sometimes I wished we could be more nimble and take more risks without getting bogged down in processes.

The internship led to a full-time job, so right now Im getting a great education in marketing from a worldclass marketing company. Eventually, Id like to either start my own company or work for a smaller company where I can apply the skills Im developing in brand management.
whats one thing you learned in your internship?

That brand management is not solely marketing. Its more general management with a healthy dose of marketing and strategy.

Network with industry professionals and learn about the various companies and their cultures. Study marketing and show a genuine interest in products and the consumer insights behind every decision the company made to getting that product to market. From the packaging to the advertisement, the consumer is at the cen-
what kinds of people do well in this industry?

People who are self-motivated leaders. As a brand manager, Im managing several projects at once and man-
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ter of CPG; incorporating that perspective in interviews can be helpful.

The people. Theyre very supportive of each other and work well together. Also, I have a great deal of client interaction, and they arent afraid to allow me to take on real projects. Thats great exposure.
how did the internship prepare you for your current role as a brand manager?
Not only was I able to see that my internship company was one where I then wanted to work full time, but I was exposed to best practices that I now employ. It also solidified the fact that Im passionate about brand management and allowed me to begin forming strong contacts in the company.

The toughest thing about the job is the strict emphasis on deadlines. They cannot be pushed back under any circumstances. It means a lot of late hours.
advertising intern
Im a part of the account services team at a big advertising agency, working on the account for a Fortune 500 automobile manufacturer.
looking back on your job search, what do you wish you had done differently?
Kept in closer contact with some of the other people I worked with.
how can someone get a job like yours?

If youre interested in the advertising industry, make as many contacts as possible, even if it means cold-calling executives and setting up informational interviews. The industry is all about whom you know. Contacts from the past can be very useful in the future.

College. This is my first real job.

Through networking. A friend of my fathers knows the general manager of the agency.

At this point, Im not sure.

People who communicate well with others, who are willing to learn by doing, and are comfortable taking responsibility for a project with minimal supervision.
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it intern
what did you do at your internship?
I was an IT leadership program intern with a global Fortune 100 company. My primary focus was on enhancing the user interface for a field-service Web application that was used for monitoring corrosion levels inside of pipes in nuclear facilities.
what did you learn from the job?

I learned that success is defined by far more ways than just getting an Ait isnt the approval of others that makes you successful. Everybody has to define their own version of success, then use their ambition, creativity and thirst for knowledge to get there. Plus, learning how to measure the corrosion levels within metal pipes without having to look inside them was pretty cool, too.
Before your internship, what was your experience?

Various summer jobs, including primary technician and business manager for a local computer repair shop, as well as year-round jobs with the IT department at my university.
intern fOr a cOnsumer appLiance manufacturer

I work in the marketing communications department.
what did you like most about your internship?

I was given business-critical projects to run. I had the flexibility to tackle the challenges in my own way, but I also had guidance from my manager and other mentors at the company. This gave me exposure to the companys upper management, helping me fast-track my career. Within the first month of my senior year, I got an offer with a full-time position with the company. That took a tremendous amount of pressure off of what could have been a stressful year of job hunting.

I worked for five years in an advertising agency as an account planner and supervisor before going back to B-school for an MBA.

Through on-campus career services.
anything you disliked?


I want to start my own creative hot shop or PR agency about six years down the road.
Looking back, there was very little not to like. It was an environment where, if there were any frustrations, they were addressed quickly and turned around.
who does well in this kind of internship?

People who are articulate, creative and have good people skills.

Attend your university career fairs, become very tight with your schools career development center, and speak with past alumni in similar degrees that have taken a path that you desireto learn how they did it.
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That I learn something new every day. Im surrounded with people who have tons of experience and are willing to share it with me. They also let me take initiative and try new things. And the job itself allows a lot of room for creative expression.

The hours can be very long. And the pays not as sweet as consulting or investment banking.
looking back on your career or job search, what do you wish you had done differently?
I probably should not have spent so much time in one industry. I could have come back to school quicker, in, say, three years rather than five.
how can someone get a job like yours?

Get an internship with an agency. It most likely will be unpaid, but thats the best way to get your foot in the door. Youll get exposure not just to the agency, but to its clients.
chapter 4 NavIGaTING YoUR INTERNShIp chapter 5 REal INTERN pRoFIlES chapter 5 FoR YoUR REFERENcE
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For Your Reference

Recommended Resources ............44
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the resources listed here are a small sampling of the information available to help you land an internship.
recOmmended resOurces
onlinE rESourcES
is password-protected. Whatever the case, this is a key resource when youre researching your ideal internship.
Employer research
Learn about the companies or organizations you want to target: The business Journals (www.bizjournals.com): Business news from 41 local markets and 46 industries. pr newswire (www.prnewswire.com/news/) Wetfeets industry and company proles (www. wetfeet.com)
Wetfeets internshipprograms.com (www.internshipprograms.com): Find internship postings by location, industry, or keyword. JobWeb (www.jobweb.com): Hosted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, this useful website provides resources and statistics on co-ops and internships. collegegrad.com (www.collegegrad.com): This extensive site has postings for internships and fulltime positions. internships-usA (www.internships-usa.com): This website lists thousands of internships in the U.S. with hundreds of employers and organizations. internJobs.com (www.internjobs.com): Global database of internships and entry-level positions for students, recent graduates, and career changers. internWeb.com (www.internweb.com): Database searchable by internship type, employer type, and state. monster college (college.monster.com/education) The leading job-posting board offers a section tailored to college students. internships.com (www.internships.com) Website linking potential interns with employers. usAintern (www.usaintern.com) Resource for finding internships and volunteer opportunities.
publications with company lists

Some of the best-known lists about employers can be found through a good local library or through paid subscriptions to the following magazines: business 2.0 (http://money.cnn.com/magazines/ business2/) bloomberg businessweek (www.businessweek.com) forbes (www.forbes.com) fortune (http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/) inc. (www.inc.com)
your carEEr cEntEr wEBSitE

Your universitys career center will probably have information on internships on its website. Sometimes this will take the form of a database listing the employers who will be targeting your school and the internships theyre making available. In most cases, this information
chapter 5 chapter 5 FoR YoUR FoR YoUR REFERENcE REFERENcE
professional associations
Search information on associations in every field imaginable using the directory provided by Internet Public
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Librarys database (www.ipl.org/div/aon/). Some key associations to target are: American management Association (www.amanet.org) American marketing Association (www.marketingpower.com) Association for financial professionals (www.afponline.org) society for human resource management (www.shrm.org)
SpEcific opportunitiES
Some of the programs listed here require registration or a fee. Programs have different requirements for participationa few are open only to students.
Business and Multiple areas

rising star internships (www.rsinternships.com) national internships (www.internships.com)
british universities north America club (www.bunac.org) center for international career development (www.cicdgo.com) council on international educational exchange (www.ciee.org) cross-cultural solutions (www.crossculturalsolutions.org) educationusA (educationusa.state.gov) intern Abroad (www.InternAbroad.com) The international Association for the exchange of students for technical experience (www.iaeste.org) international institute for cooperation and development (www.iicd.org) internship international (www.internshipinternational.com)
chapter 2 ThE SEaRch chapter 3 GETTING hIRED
rESourcES in print
internship programs for Minority Students

inroAds (www.inroads.org) sponsors for educational opportunity (www.seo-ny.org)
The Back Door Guide to Short-Term Job Adventures

Michael Landes (Ten Speed Press, 2005)
Internships for Dummies

Craig P. Donovan and Jim Garnett (For Dummies, 2001)
nonprofit and u.S. federal government opportunities

students.gov (www.students.gov) Note that this website was retired in October 2011, but it still provides links to useful information. The environmental careers organization (www.eco.org) idealist.org: Action Without Borders (www.idealist.org) volunteermatch (www.volunteermatch.org) Washington internship institute (www.ielnet.org)
National Directory of Arts Internships

Warren Christensen and Debbie McAfee (National Network for Artist Placement, 2005)
Petersons Internships
Petersons Guides, 2005
The Internship Bible

Princeton Review, 2005
international programsinternships and work Exchange

Aiesec international (www.aiesec.org) Association for international practical training (www.aipt.org)
The Internship Series from Career Education Institutes
chapter 5 chapter 5 FoR YoUR FoR YoUR REFERENcE REFERENcE
(www.internships-usa.com/books.htm)
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WetFeet was founded in 1994 by Stanford MBAs Gary Alpert and Steve Pollock. While exploring their next career moves, they needed products like the WetFeet Insider Guides to guide them through their research and interviews. But these resources didnt exist yetso they started writing! Since then, millions of job seekers have used the WetFeet Insider Guides and WetFeet.com to research their next career move. In 2007 WetFeet became part of Universum Communications, the global leader in employer branding. Thanks to the integration of WetFeet into the Universum group, WetFeet products are now used by job seekers all over the world. In addition to our Insider Guides and WetFeet.com, we produce WetFeet magazine, which features career advice tailored to undergraduate students.
>> The WetFeet Story
>> The WetFeet Name
The inspiration for our name comes from a popular business school case study about L.L. Bean, the successful mail-order company. Leon Leonwood Bean got his start because he literally got his feet wet: Every time he went hunting in the Maine woods, his shoes leaked. One day he set out to make a better hunting shoe, doing such a good job that his friends lined up to buy pairs of the boots. And so L.L. Bean was born. The lesson we took from the Bean case? Well, it shows that getting your feet wet is the first step toward achieving success. And thats what WetFeet is here for: To help you get your feet wet and take the right steps toward ever-greater career goals, whatever they may be.
Internships provide hands-on experience and give you and your potential employer a chance to evaluate each other. Whether youre looking for training in a given industry, an opportunity to develop contacts at your dream company, or simply a chance to determine if youll enjoy working in a particular field, an internship could be your best bet. But competition for internships is intense, with many firms considering their internship programs the most effective way to recruit new employees for full-time positions. This Insider Guide will show you how to find the internship thats right for you, get hired, and maximize your professional development.
>> Ideal internships can lead to ideal jobs.
TURN TO THIS WETFEET INSIDER GUIDE TO EXPLORE

WHAT QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE YOU START YOUR INTERNSHIP SEARCH WHERE TO FIND THE INTERNSHIP AND HOW TO IMPRESS RECRUITERS HOW TO STRUCTURE AN INTERNSHIP AT A COMPANY THAT DOESNT HAVE A FORMAL PROGRAM HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING A FULL-TIME JOB OFFER WHILE INTERNING PROFILES OF REAL INTERNS IN ADVERTISING, TECH, PUBLISHING, AND MORE THE BENEFITS OF COMPLETING AN INTERNSHIP WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE INTERNING ABROAD
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WetFeet has earned a strong reputation among college graduates and career professionals for its series of highly credible, no-holds-barred Insider Guides. WetFeets investigative writers get behind the annual reports and corporate PR to tell the real story of what its like to work at specific companies and in different industries. www.WetFeet.com

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insider guide