Category Archives: Career Advice
How to Succeed in an In-Person Interview
When starting off your professional career, interviews are going to become a lot more common than you would hope for. Preparing for an interview and knowing how to set yourself up for success isnāt as easy as everyone makes it out to be. Here are some steps to take when preparing for an interview.Ā
A few days beforeĀ
Interview preparation should start as soon as possible. You should start with researching the company. This is a great way to get ideas about what the company is doing and where they are headed. Bringing up some key elements during the interview will really help set you apart from other candidates. Start with the companyās website. Learn about the goals, missions, and future plans for the company, which will help you get an idea of what you could be getting involved in. Now is also a good time to prepare for how …
What To Do If Your Internship Isnāt The Best
Recently, Allison wrote a blog post about what to do if an intern isnāt doing their best. I think we should also talk about what to do if your internship experience isnāt the best. Unfortunately, even though every internship posted on our site must be approved by a staff member, some internships are not what you were hoping they would be.
Remember itās temporary
Internships are great because they are only temporary, which allows you to see what work environments you do or donāt like. Some days will be harder than others, but remember that you donāt have to be there forever. Take every opportunity you can to learn and network as much as you can. Just because you donāt like the place you are at doesnāt mean the experience is a waste of time.
Donāt burn any bridges
You might think that because you’re ājust an internā you can …
Career Fair Survival Guide for Students
Itās that time again! School has been in session for a little bit now, you are in a routine, and things seem okay. Then, it hits you. The smell of free swag, pamphlets, and the feeling of uncomfortable conversations overcome you. Yep. Thatās right. Itās career fair time. Itās no secret that a lot of people try to avoid career fairs because they either donāt want to put in the effort of dressing professionally, networking, or just going through the whole process of what a career fair really entails. I am here to prove that myth wrong.Ā Fun fact: career fairs can be used for more than just class credit and free stuff!Ā Career fairs are a really great way to see amazing possibilities that could lead to future careers. It is a time to network in an environment designed for you.
Career fairs can be scary, but I have …
Achieving Work-Life Balance
At 19, I didnāt think I would have to understand what this whole āwork-life balanceā thing really is. But I’ve learned not every day is a piece of cake. It’s better to know that now, instead of thinking everything is going to be exactly how you want it to be. Some days are easier than others, but that’s just how life goes. Balancing 18 credit hours, an on-campus job, and an internship hasnāt been the smoothest thing, but I’ve slowly established a routine. I know I’m not the only student going through something similar and wanted to share some lessons I learned throughout this process.
Accept the Bad Days
Sometimes life just gets in the way and nothing is how you planned. Thatās okay! There are two things I like to remember on bad days. First, youāve survived 100 percent of your previous bad days. Second, you never have to …
The Power of Social Media
Itās no secret that social media has slowly become a part of our everyday lives. Between snapping pictures and finding new memes, social media can hold a lot of power when it comes to finding your next internship or job.
It’s important to keep your profiles clean because you never know who could come across what you’re posting. You need to realize that companies want the right people representing them. This means watching what you say, being aware of who you follow and interact with, and being careful about what types of pictures you’re posting. Some people think making fake profiles under different names is safe, but the accounts can still be connected back to the real owners.
While it might seem fun to make that post now, it could cost you a job offer in the future. It’s okay to enjoy your youth and have fun, but some activities …
Extending Your Internship
This summer has flown by and before I knew it my supervisor was asking about evaluations and scheduling meeting times to wrap up my internship. I was already sad at the idea of leaving such an amazing work environment, but all good things come to an end, just maybe not as soon as I thought.
Staying as an intern allows for more opportunities to stay and gain more knowledge. I know a lot of people fall in love with their internship and hope for an extended stay. I came up with a list of things that I think will help you get noticed by coworkers and supervisor that shows youāre interested in staying longer.
Be willing to work
If you want to stay on at a location, then you obviously must like what you are doing. If you want to be asked to stay a for another interning period, then …
Self-Care Tips
Whether it’s work or school, everyone always has something on their mind. It’s important to take a step back once in a while, to regain focus and stay strong mentally and physically. Here are some of my best self-care tips.
Watch Some Movies/TV
Taking some time to just watch hilarious movies and shows can help clear the mind. I know after a long day my favorite thing to do is to get comfy and watch some Netflix shows. If you need some recommendations on what to watch, Iāve got you covered: Schittās Creek, Gilmore Girls, Gossip Girl, New Girl, Stranger Things, The Office (but who hasnāt watched this yet), Parks and Recreation (another classic), and Sherlock.
Read a Book
I know some people aren’t the biggest fans of reading, and think that they only need to read for school-related activities. But for me, reading is one of the best ways …
The Best Friday Advice for Interns
Fridays are exciting because they mean you survived another week and you get two days to rest. Sometimes I get in that weekend mindset a little too early and Iām not as productive as I could be on Fridays. To save you from making the same mistakes, Iāll share some of my best tips for making it through Friday.
Reflect on the week
On Fridays, I like to look back on the week to see what I accomplished. During this time, I like to see what I did and what I need to do to make sure that everything is how it should be.
Stay on top of your to do list
I know it might seem easy to push things to the side, but I promise getting them done now instead of waiting until Monday will set you up for a much better week. The busier you stay the …
Internships: Expectations Versus Reality
For most people there is a clear picture of what comes to mind when hearing the word āintern.ā The scared, intimidated college student that brings coffee when needed, and stands by the copier making copies for everyone in the office. I thought the same thing for the longest time. Now I know there is so much more than just coffee and copies.
Internships give students an opportunity to get real life experience in a field they are interested in. internships allow for students to gain professional experience before they graduate from college and prepare them for when it is time to look for full-time employment.
More and more internships are allowing interns to choose projects to work on throughout their time at the company. This allows for the student to walk away with an excellent resume builder. With help and guidance along the way, interns can create great projects and …
The Benefits of Volunteering
Earlier this week, part of the Indiana INTERNnet team volunteered at Second Helpings in Indianapolis. The Second Helpings staff and volunteers rescue and prepare perishable foods from restaurants and retailers to help prevent food waste. They make over 4,000 meals and send them out to more than 90 social service agencies. Second Helpings also offers a culinary training program for disadvantaged adults. While volunteering, we helped cut and prepare vegetables for a meal that would be sent out to multiple locations around the area. The experience was great, and learning about the amazing work that Second Helpings does was very eye-opening.
You might feel like you’re too busy to volunteer, especially if you’re in school. But volunteering has lots of benefits!
Helping others
There is no better feeling than when you’re volunteering. Putting time and effort into meaningful programs can help so many people, and can infuse some purpose into …
Internship Advice From The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Panel
In June, interns from around the state attended Indiana INTERNnetās first engagement event of the summer. Interns came together at The Childrenās Museum of Indianapolis to network, explore, engage in a personal development seminar, and hear from a panel of past and present Childrenās Museum interns.
Panelists shared their stories, while attendees asked questions regarding career paths and entering the workforce.
The future
One of my biggest takeaways was that itās okay to not know what you want to do. Taking everything one day at a time was a large focal point that the panelists hit on. They all spoke of their past experiences and how they got to where they are today.
It was interesting to hear the different ways they wound up at the museum. Something they had in common: All had reached a point where they had no idea what they wanted to do or where …
Career Advice From The Program Coordinator of The Wellness Council at The Indiana Chamber of Commerce
Earlier this week we had the opportunity to interview a current employee of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Christina Stafford is the Program Coordinator of the Wellness Council, a subsidiary of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. We asked her about her internship experience and how it helped her prepare for her professional career. She started out as intern for the Wellness Council and received a full-time job offer after graduation!
Indiana INTERNnet: What is your current position and what do you do?
Christina Stafford: I currently serve as the program coordinator for the Wellness Council of Indiana (WCI). We are a subsidiary of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. My role at the WCI has evolved over the years, but my current responsibilities include member recruitment and retention (since we are membership-based organization.) I on-board new members and facilitate member benefits. In addition, I manage our program AchieveWELL, …
Career Advice From The Vice President of Communications and Operations
Earlier this week we had the opportunity to interview a current employee of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Tom Schuman is the Senior Vice President of Communications and Operations for the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. We asked him about his previous work experiences and how it prepared him for his career.
Indiana INTERNnet: What is your current position and what do you do?
Tom Schuman: Iām the Senior VP of Communications and Operations. I know it sounds like an intense title, but it isnāt! Communications is broad because there are many things you do. When I started (at the Chamber in 1998) most communications was print and newsletters whereas now itās more diverse with electronic, social media, video, and some print. Much of the communications work is communicating with members and stakeholders. On the operations side of things, it is more of the business things like office …
Sophie Michal: Making an IMPACT
Indiana INTERNnet celebrated internship excellence on February 26, 2019 at the 13th Annual IMPACT Awards Luncheon. Though the event is over, and the winners have been announced, we are continuing to celebrate the nomineesā successes.
Ā
These are their stories.
I am currently an undergrad at Butler University. I am planning to graduate from the Lacy School of Business in 2020. While I am currently majoring in Marketing, I am looking to pick up a Finance double major this upcoming semester when I return from my study abroad in Bilbao, Spain. I have had a marketing internship with the Indy Chamber, Patachou, Inc. and this summer I will be interning at Eli Lilly and Company.
Indiana INTERNnet: You are a graduate of 2020 with a bachelorās degree in Marketing. What made you interested in pursuing that?
Michal Sophie: When I first got to Butler I had a …
Career Advice From The Program Coordinator For Indiana Healthy Communities
Earlier this week we had the opportunity to interview a current employee of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Madie Newman is the Indiana Healthy Communities Program Coordinator for the Wellness Council of Indiana. We asked her about her college experience and how it helped her prepare for her professional career.
Indiana INTERNnet: What is your current position and what does it entail?
Madie Newman: Iām the Indiana Healthy Communities Program Coordinator for the Wellness Council of Indiana, which is a subsidiary of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. I work with communities across the state to help them assess programs, services, and infrastructure, and create goals to improve community health and quality of life.
IIN: When did you decide to start searching for an internship?
MN: It was a requirement for my undergraduate degree at Indiana University (IU). I was public health major and I knew I …