Tag Archives: Indiana INTERNnet
Greater Fort Wayne Graduate Retention Program
Entry by Pat Patterson
As I have stressed numerous times, internships are invaluable experiences for both students and employers. After Indiana INTERNnet was established, some regions realized the necessity to create their own additional programs to promote the significance of internships. From a statewide perspective, Indiana internships are being promoted by Indiana INTERNnet and its regional partners. Valued partners such as the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber’s Graduate Retention Program use Indiana INTERNnet’s technology platform to facilitate internship matches among students and employers.
The Graduate Retention Program is a business/education partnership facilitated by the Workforce & Business Development Division of the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce:
The Graduate Retention Program is designed to attract and retain college and high school graduates in Northeast Indiana. Our strategy is to increase awareness of area employers by promoting the development of meaningful internships for college and high school students.
As Mike Landram, the Greater …
An Internship Can Change Your Life
Entry by Pat Patterson
This summer, I had the privilege of coordinating internships for 59 high school interns through the Common Goal Internship Program, a collaborative effort between Indiana INTERNnet and the Indianapolis Chamber aimed at motivating at-risk high school students to continue their education, graduate, and pursue higher education. Yesterday, we celebrated the student’s successful completion of the program and recognized their host employers for offering the internship opportunities. (See pictures below)
A student intern with her employer mentor.
Throughout the summer, I visited several of the students at their places of business, and at the celebration conference, a few of the students shared their experiences at the podium on stage. After learning more about the students’ experiences during their visits and the few students’ presentations, it became apparent how influential the internships have been in their lives.
During their internships, the students were able to test out their …
Keep Your Eyes Wide Open During Your Internship
Entry by Anastasiya Elaeva, Indiana INTERNnet Intern
The fun part of interning is that you never know what events you will have a chance to attend and what people you will get an opportunity to meet. If you keep your eyes wide open, your internship can extend beyond your primary responsibilities and the department to which you are assigned.
After my Washington D.C. internship in international affairs did not work out because of differences in mine and the company’s schedules, I was desperately looking for something in Indiana. I picked up the phone and called the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. To be honest, at that point of time, in mid-May, I did not expect that there would be anything available. I picked up the phone because I thought that trying every single opportunity would be the right thing to do.
To my surprise, I was offered an exciting internship assisting …
Transitioning from Internship to Career
Entry by Pam Norman, Indiana INTERNnet Executive Director
Yesterday I had the privilege of serving on a panel that provided advice to thirty downtown Indy interns. The event was sponsored by the International Center of Indianapolis, and the interns represented corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors.
Takeaways from the discussion included:
• Improve your skill set by taking on more than you think you are capable of
• Track internship projects so it will be easy to update your resume
• Develop your professional network; opportunities are just a business card away
• Seek advice from management; people enjoy talking about their path to success
• Dress for success; dress for the job you want, not the one you have
• Be authentic; consider your internship a ten-week interview
• Soft skills are important to Indiana employers; make sure your skill set contains them
I’ve already received emails …
Don’t Underestimate the Value of an Internship
Entry by Pat Patterson
Are you a 2010 graduate who is still searching for that first job? It is no breaking news that jobs are difficult to come across in our current economy. However, what may be news to some of you is that job search databases and networking are not the only ways to land a full-time job offer.
One option that is continuously overlooked by graduating seniors is the possibility of acquiring a post-graduate internship. Now, more than ever, because of the low cost of hiring interns, internships are used as a recruiting tool for full-time hires. A recent article in Forbes reports:
“In this economic climate, people still want to get entry-level hires but don’t have the budget, so they’re trying candidates as interns and looking to hire them afterward,” says Adeola Ogunwole, CollegeGrad.com’s director of marketing and public relations.
In addition, although all internships may not …
Students: How to Communicate Successfully during a Virtual Internship
Entry by Anastasiya Elaeva, Indiana INTERNnet Intern
In Monday’s blog entry, I provided you with Interactive Intelligence’s perspective on virtual internships. I also recently spoke with one of Interactive Intelligence’s virtual interns, Courtney Guard, who would like to share her advice on having a successful internship experience. An economics major at Purdue University with minors in business management and political science, she is currently doing an internship in the office of Interactive Intelligence, a global provider of business communications solutions. However, last fall she worked for the company from her campus, assisting with the management of Interactive Intelligence’s customer accounts.
Courtney’s started as a regular summer intern in Interactive Intelligence’s office. When her term at the company was over, she talked to her manager about the possibility of keeping her job over the fall while working from home. Courtney really wanted to have a professional job in the fall semester, …
Employers: How Do You Choose the Right Candidate for a Virtual Internship?
Entry by Pat Patterson
In the June INTERNnetwork, we included an article about virtual internships, hiring on an intern to work outside of your organization’s office. Although there are many benefits associated with hiring a virtual intern (no office space or personnel needed for constant supervision), not every student can excel as a virtual intern.
I included this checklist in the e-newsletter, which identifies some key characteristics of a student who may be more likely to excel as a virtual intern:
Checklist of Ideal Virtual Intern Characteristics Previous internship experience Self-motivated Independent/ability to thrive with minimal supervision Technology savvy Interest in electronic communication Flexible Value/goal driven Trustworthy Timely/ability to meet deadlines More certain of career aspirations
Although this list may not be an exhaustive list of characteristics, and all students are unique, it may be a beneficial reference to use when deciding who you may hire.
With the growth of …
Educators: Intern Site Visits
Entry by Pat Patterson
Intern site visits are a great idea for career services professionals who are interested in the work of their summer interns or who would like to build a better relationship with an employer(s).
A visit does not need to be formal – all you need are a few questions prepared in advance to ask your student and the employer about their experience. You may also choose to take a few photos to include in a story about a student’s experience to highlight in marketing material, your career services’ website, or your school’s blog.
Here are examples of some questions you may ask:
SITE VISIT QUESTIONS
Intern:
Tell us about the work you’ve been doing during your internship experience.
What will you take away from this internship experience?
How has this internship experience influenced future career goals?
What has been the best/most challenging …
Students – Registering with Indiana INTERNnet (Video)
For all students who have not yet registered with Indiana INTERNnet, here is a video tutorial, which will walk you through the registration process.
Making an Impact as an Intern
Entry by Courtney Sampson, Marketing and Communications Intern, Indiana State Fair
Between researching and writing press releases, blogging about Indy Premier Cage Fighting, engaging with the community via social media, attending various meetings, and learning about mission and vision statements, I built a house. Yep, you heard me – a real-life, five-bedroom, two-bathroom home.
OK, for all you skeptics out there, I didn’t exactly build the house with my own two hands, but I did work up a sweat by hammering some nails, dragging a few 2 x 4’s, and helping to carry the “walls.” Last week, Indiana State Fairgrounds commission, board, and staff members, along with hundreds of volunteers from sponsor companies, helped construct a Habitat for Humanity Ag House.
Several Indiana agriculture businesses and organizations have stepped up in a BIG way to make Tamika Allen’s dream of home ownership a reality, showcasing the impact of Indiana’s agriculture, …
Employers – Registering with Indiana INTERNnet (Video)
For all employers who have not yet registered with Indiana INTERNnet, here is a video tutorial, which will walk you through the registration process.
What exactly is Indiana INTERNnet?
Indiana INTERNnet is an internship-matching program linking employers, students, high schools, colleges and universities by providing both high-tech and high-touch support. It is a powerful high-tech Web-based search, matching and reporting system coupled with “high touch” personal assistance, a toll-free hotline to answer questions and provide internship guidance, resource materials, creating or expanding high quality internship opportunities within the state.
Employers – Indiana INTERNnet: Your One-Stop Shop for Quality Internships
Entry by Pat Patterson
As all students may not understand the value of internship experience, not all employers may be aware of the benefits of hiring an intern or even how and where to find one. To help all employers with their internship apprehension and intern search, I provided a list of frequently asked questions with answers to such concerns in our February INTERNnetwork e-newsletter. The article is reprinted below. To subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter, click the link at the bottom of the page: https://www.workandlearnindiana.com/newsletters.asp. Please feel free to add any comments or questions.
1. How will my company benefit from hiring an intern?
An internship is a unique opportunity for your company. It allows you to bring fresh ideas and talent, the latest technologies, and energetic students into your company. This increases exposure to the most innovative concepts circulating in your specific market. In addition, internships are becoming …
Goin’ Hog Wild for the Great Indiana State Fair
Entry by Courtney Sampson, Marketing and Communications Intern, Indiana State Fair
I’d like to consider myself a “research queen.” Really, I love reading and surfing the Internet; this trait bodes well for me when researching potential internships or future jobs. When I stumbled across the Publicity/Media Relations internship for the Indiana State Fair, I learned that it is the “Year of Pigs.” I’m a Hoosier gal, so the idea of celebrating pork didn’t faze me much. After all, Indiana pork production contributes $3 billion to Indiana’s economy annually! See – told you I like research. Needless to say, my first day on the job really brought the “Year of Pigs” to life…so-to-speak.
One of my responsibilities is to assist Andy Klotz, Director of Publicity & Media Relations for the State Fair, escorting the media to various events at the fairgrounds. My first day coincided with the Indiana …
Students: Internships Serve As Catalysts
Entry by Pat Patterson, Chief Blogger
Welcome to Indiana INTERNnation, a blog dedicated to decreasing the “brain drain” in Indiana!
As Indiana INTERNnet launches its blog, I feel that there are still some students who are unaware of the value of internships or who may be unsure where to find one. That being said, perhaps highlighting the importance of internships and describing how to acquire one through IndianaINTERN.net is an appropriate starting point for our blog.
To help all students with their internship apprehension and search, I provided a list of frequently asked questions with answers to such concerns in our February INTERNnetwork e-newsletter. The article is reprinted below. To subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter, click the link at the bottom of the page: https://www.workandlearnindiana.com/newsletters.asp. Please feel free to add any comments or questions.
1. Why are internships important?
As a student, it is easy to become preoccupied with …