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Baldwin & Lyons’ intern uses his interests to find career fit

Mike Starr, actuarial services intern at Baldwin & Lyons, Inc., is not your average intern. Starr earned his master’s degree in student affairs and spent time in the professional world before an internship sparked a career change.

While Mike Starr did not always know what he wanted to do as a career, he always knew what he liked.

The actuarial services intern at Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. in Carmel realized early on that he liked math and science as well as a team environment. Blending those interests, however, proved more difficult before his current internship.

As a physics major at The Ohio State University, Starr assumed that medical school was in his future. When those plans fell through, Starr went back to the drawing board.

“While I was in school, I was extremely involved in different campus activities, so that’s when I became aware of student affairs as a …

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The difference a year makes

This is a guest blog by Jara Rowe, social media marketing coordinator at Minnetrista and former Indiana INTERNnet intern. 

This time last year, I was working a full-time job, driving two hours round-trip for an internship with Indiana INTERNnet (IIN), and finishing my master’s degree. It was a lot of work, but I was determined it was necessary to take the next step in my career.

Fast-forward a year, I completed my internship with IIN, started and completed an internship with McGowan Insurance Group, Inc., completed my Master of Arts in Public Relations, and started a new full-time job that I love. I am currently the Social Media Marketing Coordinator at Minnetrista.

While interviewing for a part-time position at Minnetrista, I was able to showcase the skills I developed while interning with IIN and my passion for social media. The interviewer recognized my potential and forwarded my information to …

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Internship reinforces the dream of working with youth

This is a guest blog from Adeline Dible, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods student and  intern at East 10th United Methodist Children and Youth Center.

I walked into a strange looking building thinking to myself, “I must be in the wrong place,” until I heard the chatter and happy cries of the toddlers upstairs waking up from their afternoon naps. The halls were decorated in the tiny handprints of the 4-year-olds and the painted smears from the 2-year-olds. You could hear the adults cheering right along with the small children.

It was at this moment that I knew that this youth center right was exactly where I belonged.

I currently work for East 10th United Methodist Children and Youth Center (UMCYC) on the east side of Indianapolis. This center provides a safe place where the spiritual, emotional, educational and physical needs of children, youth and their families are responded to in a …

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Rooting for your job/internship search!

This is a guest blog by Alecia Kissel, HR and recruiting intern at Milliner & Associates, LLC in Indianapolis. 

There is really no tiptoeing around the fact that in less than a couple of months, life will be totally different for me and other soon-to-be college graduates.

It is surreal because just yesterday I was moving into my freshman dorm and didn’t know a single person on campus. Hopefully, if you are in the same boat as me, you have looked into some really great companies and even had some interviews as well. Whether it is looking for full-time employment or a summer internship, it’s important to actively engage the following questions while in the interview process.

Can you picture yourself working there?
Thinking about the office space is important, especially if you are going to be there day in and day out for work. I know when …

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Use spring break to spruce up your resumé

After long winter months and tough internships, spring break is finally here for college students. If your spring break has some built-in downtime, use it to learn a new skill and build your resumé.

Intern Queen Lauren Berger has this advice for doing (a little!) work during spring break.

Get Tech: There are many online outlets to learn tech skills outside of the classroom. Check out https://www.coursera.org/ to learn basic HTML or CSS coding. If you took a technology class last semester, show what you’ve learned in the skills section of your resumĂ© as well. Take an Externship: Spring break may be too short for a full-blown internship, but that does not mean you are out of options. Many companies host externships or job shadowing opportunities. Visit your school’s career center to find spring break openings in your area. Be Social: If you’ve always wanted to try a new …

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Inaugural Career Ready season to kick off in April

Indiana’s Career Ready campaign (formerly KnowHow2GOIndiana) takes place each April through July, with real-world advice and practical experiences to help students prepare for their future careers. Efforts will focus on career sectors that are projected to be in high demand for Indiana’s economy (advanced manufacturing; agriculture, agribusiness & food; healthcare & life sciences; information technology & clean energy technology; and logistics).

Beginning with the official statewide kick-off week (April 20-24), Career Ready aims to:

Educate Hoosier students about the range of career options in Indiana; Expose Hoosier students of all ages to meaningful work-and-learn experiences; Equip Hoosier students with the education and skills required to succeed in their careers and meet Indiana’s economic needs.

Get involved

Career Day (April 24) is an opportunity to get in the schools in your region and share your experience. Whether you present about your job, the sector you work in or employability skills, students …

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IMPACT Awards make an impact on a new intern

This is a guest blog from Beth Hahn, intern at Thomas P. Miller & Associates and student at IUPUI. 

Throughout the course of my undergraduate and graduate career, I have been an intern in a variety of settings including, but not limited to: an elementary school, funding organization, local community center and a consulting firm.

As an intern, I have assisted organizations on a variety of tasks ranging from copying and filing documents to supporting organizations with their strategic planning process. These internship opportunities have been truly instrumental in my personal and professional development. More importantly, these internships have given me confidence on how I want to move forward in my own professional goals once I graduate from IUPUI’s School of Social Work in May.

I have been in my current internship at Thomas P. Miller, & Associates (TPMA) since December. I was a bit anxious about my new …

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Interview training opens doors

This is a guest blog by Alecia Kissel, HR and recruiting intern at Milliner & Associates, LLC in Indianapolis. 

My third and final semester as an intern at Milliner & Associates has been a whirlwind.

The first two weeks I spent shadowing interviews with the Recruiting Manager and Recruiting Specialist to get a firmer grasp on the language we use and expectations we set in that short thirty minutes. Three weeks ago, I conducted my first interview. It was nerve wracking, don’t get me wrong, but now I thoroughly enjoy interviewing and all that comes with it.

I am not sure if I was nervous because of the person sitting across from me or the person shadowing me. Having colleagues and my boss shadow my interviews in the first couple of weeks added some extra pressure. However, I knew I needed to hear their feedback. They’re professionals, been there done …

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Annual IMPACT Awards hit the jackpot

On Feb. 4, 2015, Indiana INTERNnet hosted the 9th annual IMPACT Awards at the Ivy Tech Culinary Center, where a record-setting crowd came together to celebrate the achievements of the state’s interns, employers and career development professionals. We hope to see even more of the state’s best in 2016!

Group Dekko’s Jennifer Fisher framed her IMPACT Awards keynote speech around how great success only comes from taking risks. “You can’t win the lottery if you don’t play,” she said, reminding both interns and employers that while becoming an intern or hiring one is a risk, the rewards can be great.

Fisher quizzed the audience on people whose success was once tempered by failure and people who told them no. Lucille Ball was encouraged to quit acting and Elvis was turned away time and time again before they changed American culture. Interns, Fisher said, should not give up on their dreams …

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New internship brings fresh perspective

This is a guest blog by Kim Trojan, HR/Recruiting intern at Milliner & Associates, LLC. 

With the start of any new opportunity, whether its classes at school or a job, I always have those first day jitters.

My first day at Milliner & Associates (M&A) was no different. I interviewed with M&A last spring for their summer internship and then again in the fall for the spring internship, so I was familiar with where the office was located and had a good handle on who was in the office. This definitely helped calm my nerves. In retrospect, I can barely believe two weeks have passed and I’m already into my third week here at M&A. The team accepted me with open arms, and I feel a strong sense of belonging here.

The first couple days were overwhelming. When someone lays out your tasks and responsibilities in front of you …

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Mock interviews mirror real-life nerves

This is a guest blog by Alecia Kissel, HR/recruiting intern at Milliner & Associates, LLC in Indianapolis.

During the holidays, Milliner & Associates went to Decatur Central High School to mock interview their students involved in the JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) program.

JAG helps students with their job search, resume building, interview skills and networking. This week we are going back to provide face-to-face feedback on how we thought the interviews went and to allow for the students to ask us direct questions about the process.

Mock interviewing the students was the first time that I was on the other side of the interview desk. It was my turn to ask the questions. As I prepare to interview candidates coming into the office this week all on my own, I will keep the high schoolers’ interviews in mind.

I was in the students’ seats a little less than …

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2015 holds excitement and promise

This is a guest blog by Alecia Kissel, HR/recruiting intern at Milliner & Associates, LLC in Indianapolis.

The end of the year always prompts two things for me: reminiscing about the past and looking ahead to the future.

Eight months ago, I started my summer internship with Milliner & Associates (M&A) – the way I always envisioned spending a summer. It showed me what it would be like to function in the real world, and I was more than ready for it. When I accepted the fall internship with M&A, I never anticipated what a balancing act it would be with schoolwork. I learned quickly how to go from full time to part time and still get all my work done.

Just about a month ago, I wrestled with the idea of staying a third semester. I thought I would need that time to search for full-time employment after …

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Use emails as a valuable internship search tool

Many job and internship searches today begin at a computer. Whether it is following up with a recruiter from a career fair or sending a blind email after seeing a posting on a job board, chances are you’ll send your resume and cover letter via email.

Great Resumes Fast recently compiled a list of errors people make when sending their application information online. Be sure to avoid these costly mistakes to keep your email out of the trash folder.

Don’t get attached: While it makes sense to attach both your resume and cover letter to an email, it’s likely that the recruiter will ignore your cover letter entirely. They’ll opt to view your resume only. Instead, copy and paste it to the body of your email below your message, where it’s much more accessible. Keep it short and sweet: Recruiters’ time is precious. Don’t waste it on unnecessary details. Include …

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Women’s prison internship allows student to help others

This is a guest blog from Elyssa Buck, Saint Mary-0f-the-Woods student and intern at the Rockville Correctional Facility.

When a student completes an internship, they will learn more about themselves and the career they pursue than they would only having classroom experience. I experienced this firsthand at my internship at the Rockville Correctional Facility, a women’s prison.

My site supervisor was the Re-Entry/Transition Program Coordinator within the facility, who teaches the offenders how to be successful once they reenter society. She teaches a four-week course the offenders must complete upon their release. The class includes employment and housing information, as well as how to stay free from substance abuse and become financially stable. In order for the offenders to successfully complete the goals set for them within the course, my site supervisor also completes all of the necessary paperwork and keeps copies of their identification information. I was …

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Police internship provides exhilarating experience

This is a guest blog by Katheryn Bullock, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods student and intern at the Sullivan Police Station. 

I am currently interning with the Sullivan Police Station and could not have asked to be placed in a better internship. I have had nothing but a great experience there and would recommend this internship to students.

Going into this internship I had no idea what to expect because I have never worked with police officers. I have also appreciated police officers because of what they try and do to keep society safe from danger. There is no better way of knowing what goes into the daily life of an officer than by riding along with one. A couple times a week I go down to the station and do ride-alongs to gain first-hand experience.

I like to work hands-on to fully understand the concept of something, so my internship gave …

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