News Archives
Experience produces lifetime internship advocate
Over the 17 weeks as a marketing intern for Indiana INTERNnet, I found my stride in helping the small nonprofit achieve its mission of connecting interns and employers throughout the state.
Not surprisingly for an organization that promotes internships, Indiana INTERNnet knows how to provide an excellent experience for its intern. I managed its social media networks, approved employers registering to use its services and generated blogs about internship topics. All of these tasks bolstered my résumé and upped my odds of landing my dream job.
On Facebook and Twitter, I shared materials on interns, internships and job search tactics such as cover letter and résumé writing. I posted Indy-related photos to Instagram and wrote a weekly announcement on LinkedIn. I measured Indiana INTERNnet’s success through web analytics and generated a weekly social media report for the staff. I grew from a clumsy social media novice to a skillful knowledge-sharing …
Research, personal experience reinforce value of internships
The introduction to “State of College Hiring 2015,” opens with a statement that we at Indiana INTERNnet find to be absolute truth.
“Internships help students develop experience, better understand their careers and increase future job prospects and salaries.”
Looksharp surveyed more than 50,000 college students and recent graduates to find trends among work-and-learn experiences. Part of the study’s purpose was to show college students how to set themselves apart from the competition.
To get the “edge” in the job market, Looksharp found that multiple internships, high GPA and online career profiles help increase the chances of graduates landing the right job for them after college. From a personal perspective, I’m hoping these findings prove to be true.
As an intern at Indiana INTERNnet, I’ve been immersed in social media, a key component of many communication jobs. As my internship here creeps closer to its conclusion, I know I’m not a …
Gen Z: Coming to a workplace near you
In recent discussions about generational differences, Millennials dominated the conversation.
However, experts such as Nancy Ahlrichs of FlashPoint say another generation is emerging. Called “Generation Z,” people born between 1990 and 1999 are beginning to enter the workplace. The introduction of Gen Z makes five generations in today’s workforce: Veterans (70 and older), Boomers (Ages 51-69), Generation X (Ages 39-50), Millennials (Ages 26-38) and Generation Z (Ages 16-25).
Ahlrichs says as with Millennials, employers should consider the characteristics and expectations of Gen Z in order to foster high productivity and retain top talent.
Gen Z prefers a teaching-style of leadership rather than following orders without explanation. The preferred communication channels for Gen Z are face-to-face; tweets and texts; Instagram, Vine, Snapchat; and no phone calls/meetings. Interestingly, Gen Z typically does not use Facebook because that’s the social media site used by their parents and grandparents. Gen Z requires feedback on …
Casey Spivey: Making an IMPACT
Casey Spivey was named Intern of the Year at the annual IMPACT Awards luncheon in 2013. Today, she is a full-time employee with the Indiana State Personnel Department – the same organization she worked for as an intern when she earned the award.
Indiana INTERNnet: What have you been up to career-wise since graduation and earning an IMPACT Award?
Casey Spivey: I started my internship with the State of Indiana the day after I graduated from college. Thankfully, the Indiana State Personnel Department (SPD) offered me a Benefits Specialist positon before the conclusion of my internship, so I was able to transition directly into full-time employment with the State! I spent about a year in SPD’s Benefits Division before transferring to a Generalist position supporting the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC). Currently, I manage Human Resources for the Pendleton Correctional Complex, which consists of three IDOC facilities.
IIN: How …
Avoid ‘spooky’ behavior in the workplace
As you know, this time of year brings the chance to transform into someone or something else. To maintain course on the education and career front, however, there are some “spooky” behaviors that do not translate well in the workplace.
You’ve nailed the interview and landed the internship that will be vital to your education and future career. Now, it’s time to avoid turning the opportunity into a horror story. Based on Universal Studios’ classic monsters, these are the kinds of interns you don’t want to be.
The Invisible Man intern: Being present is not enough. While on the job, strive to impress. One way to do this is by not displaying the bad temperament of the H. G. Wells character. Accept assignments with enthusiasm and offer your assistance regularly. Smiling while exchanging greetings with those you encounter in the workplace is also a good idea.
The Frankenstein …
Yes, college is still worth it
The answer to the question, “Is college worth it?” is a no-brainer for this grad. I answer with an emphatic, “Yes!”
The question is a central theme of the recently released Gallup-Purdue Index 2015 Report. The report surveyed more than 29,000 U.S. college graduates. One of the questions asked graduates how certain experiences in college influenced well-being and workplace engagement after graduation. A finding of particular interest to us here at Indiana INTERNnet pertained to the value of internships:
“If recent graduates strongly agree that they had any of three experiential learning opportunities — an internship related to their studies, active involvement in extracurricular activities or a project that took a semester or more to complete — their odds that they strongly agree that their education was worth the cost increase by 1.5 times.” – Gallup-Purdue Index 2015 Report
We are pleased but not exactly surprised by this figure. The …
Studies show internships matter
Did you know that employers nationwide offered full-time positions to their interns nearly 65% of the time in 2013? And 79% of the interns accepted the offer.
I find these figures from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) fascinating because they are a testament to the value of internships. Many employers now treat internships as an extended job interview of sorts – training the next generation of talent in order to build their workforce. A 2015 survey by NACE confirms this trend. The report reveals about 70% of employers indicated that seeking full-time, entry-level employees is a main function of their internship programs.
An additional benefit to internships is the return on investment. A study cited by Purdue University Calumet showed that in 2012, college students with internship experience made on average 15% more money than those who did not complete an internship. More coin in the pocket …
Lessons abound outside of school
In school, I learned about the Revolutionary War, the Pythagorean Theorem and racial injustice from “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
All this knowledge is useful in certain settings, but one has to admit there is an array of valuable skills acquired mostly from experiences outside of school.
For example, I had to figure out on my own how to properly manage finances. I recall on more than one occasion rotating Ramen noodles and peanut butter sandwiches for daily meals because I valued the latest video game over nutrition. One thing is for sure, scraping by certainly builds character.
As for professional skills, another example of life education is learning the role of government, especially at the local levels. My initial introduction came in the form of a speeding ticket. As I entered the courtroom as a teenager, I recall being as nervous as a small bird with a hungry-cat neighbor. The …
Non-traditional review of The Intern
Admittedly, when I first considered applying to work with Indiana INTERNnet, I thought I was a bit aged to take on an internship.
That is until I watched the trailer for the upcoming movie “The Intern.” I am nowhere near 70, the age of the intern character played by one of my favorite actors, Robert De Niro. But I did wonder how I would compete against traditional college students. It goes to show that no matter your age, if you’re willing to learn, you can find opportunities.
I call this a non-traditional movie review for two reasons. First, non-traditional (a 37-year-old parent who works while attending college) is the type of student I am, and second, I’ve yet to see the movie, which is set for release Sept. 25. Based on the trailer, however, I expect to experience more than a few laughs and maybe even learn a life lesson …