Tag Archives: internship advice
What To Do If Your Internship Isnât The Best
Recently, Allison wrote a blog post about what to do if an intern isnât doing their best. I think we should also talk about what to do if your internship experience isnât 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 itâs temporary
Internships are great because they are only temporary, which allows you to see what work environments you do or donât like. Some days will be harder than others, but remember that you donât have to be there forever. Take every opportunity you can to learn and network as much as you can. Just because you donât like the place you are at doesnât mean the experience is a waste of time.
Donât burn any bridges
You might think that because you’re âjust an internâ you can …
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 youâre 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 …
Questions to Ask Yourself During an Internship
It’s no secret that internships serve as an amazing learning opportunity and can set you up for the future. During your internship there are a few things you should keep in the back of your mind before you leave.
Could I do this long-term?
With the way internships are set up you are only there for a set amount of time. Because of this you get a real taste of what it would be like if you had a full-time position with this company. Do you like the environment and culture around you? What would you change about this position? What do you like about this position? These are some things to think about when looking at your future positions.
Where do I want to be?
Internships are not only an amazing way to get hands on experience in the workplace, but they also serve as an amazing way to …
Internship Advice From The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Panel
In June, interns from around the state attended Indiana INTERNnetâs first engagement event of the summer. Interns came together at The Childrenâs Museum of Indianapolis to network, explore, engage in a personal development seminar, and hear from a panel of past and present Childrenâs 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 itâs 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 …
Advice For Starting Your First Internship
When I got offered the job here at Indiana INTERNnet, I was a freshman in college. At that time, I had no idea what being an intern really meant or what I was getting myself into. As I’m finishing up my third week on the job, I have come across some helpful hints for starting your first internship and what to expect.
First Day Nerves            Â
For me, my first day was terrifying. I was so nervous about what to do, what to say, how to act, and everything in-between. I did not want to make myself stand out in any way, or say the wrong thing, which made everything worse. The whole day was amazing and I could go back to that day and just tell myself that everything was fine. My first piece of advice is one …
Scoring Gold in Your Career
Athletes endure years of training to prepare for the Olympics; students do the same for their future careers. Through classes, homework and internships, you are improving your skills to advance in your industry. Here are some tips to help you score a gold medal in your career.
Pick the right sport.
If youâre afraid of heights, ski jumping probably isnât the sport for you. There will be majors/fields that wonât be a good fit as well. You should determine what you like/dislike, the skills you have and research your options.
From my experience, I wanted to work in the healthcare industry, however science and math were not my strongest subjects in grade school. Once I started the coursework for radiology technology, I realized I needed to pursue a different major that better suited my skills. Writing was always my favorite subject; therefore I switched …
Dos and Donâts at the Company Holiday Party
The time of year for company holiday cheer and festivities is here! That means opportunities to network with fellow co-workers, as well as opportunities to possibly embarrass yourself. Follow these dos and donâts to avoid potential damage to your reputation.
Do: participate in holiday activities.
Each organization handles the holidays differently. Some may have activities throughout the season, while others may plan a low-key pitch-in. Whatever the case may be, you should get involved. If thereâs a planning committee (and your internship supervisor approves), reach out to the leader and offer your help.
Donât: be too competitive.
If your organization has games or other competitive activities, remember to stay professional. A little competitive spirit is okay in some situations, but donât go overboard. For example, you shouldnât scream âLoser!â in the vice presidentâs face. That could lead to an uncomfortable conversation with your internship supervisor or …
Internship Woes? Speak Up!
After weeks of searching, applying and interviewing, you finally receive an internship offer! Youâre super excited about the projects youâre going to complete and the people youâll be working with. However, after the first month of interning, you realize that your role and responsibilities are not what you expected. You might feel like your skills are not being utilized or developed, but what can you do?
Talk to your internship supervisor
Your supervisor is the person who is tasked with providing you with the resources you need to have a successful internship. If youâre unhappy, theyâre the first person you should speak with. Review your internshipâs description, and if it doesnât match up with the work youâre doing, let them know.
Express your eagerness to take on more projects. Then, work with your supervisor to come up with a workplan so you have a structured outline of what you …
Four Ways to Make Your College Experience Less Stressful
Moira Keating is a human resources marketing/employee engagement intern at Milliner & Associates. She will graduate from Marian University in December 2018.Â
Anyone who has met a college student, knows college can be is stressful. Trying to find the perfect balance between schoolwork, clubs, friends, jobs, athletics, family and more can really take a toll on a person. Most college students do not hesitate to let others know how much homework they have this week or how little sleep they got last night by posting it to all social media platforms. I am not mad about this, since I too have posted about my busy schedule, but I have realized there are ways to avoid these posts.
ACTUALLY PAYING ATTENTION IN CLASS: This should be a pretty simple rule to follow, since most of us are paying to be in that chair, but the constant advancements of technology can …
What to Consider Before Applying to a Virtual Internship
With the growth of technological resources like Skype and Google Docs, an increasing number of virtual internships are popping up. Virtual internships are internships that allow interns to work remotely with periodic check-ins. Some employers who host virtual internships will have occasional face-to-face meetings, while others will check in via video call, phone calls, emails, etc.
Virtual internships allow interns to have a bit more freedom when it comes to their working hours. It also allows interns to work for a company that may be too far to commute to. For example, someone who lives in Bloomington could intern remotely for an organization in Valparaiso! However, with great freedom, comes great responsibility. Here are some things to keep in mind if youâre thinking about applying to a virtual internship:
How much time do you have?
If you already have a lot of things on your plate, you may want to …
Four Ways to Gain Experience Before an Internship
Many college students run into the hurdle of not having enough experience for an internship. This is a common issue: how do you gain experience to gain experience at an internship? The good news is that there are other ways to bulk up your resume and enhance your skills. Check out my suggestions below!
1 . Side hustle
A part-time job, or side hustle, is a great way to develop various skills to add to your resume. Part-time jobs can enhance your soft skills: communication, decision-making, teamwork, work ethic and more. While it may be difficult to balance your class schedule with a job, the practice can improve your organization and planning skills. For tips on how to manage this juggling act, check out this blog.
2 . Campus involvement
Campus involvement looks great on your resume for added experience and shows you have initiative. Leadership development and civic-engagement programs, …
Office Life in Five Gifs from ‘The Office’
Completing projects at your internship is one thing, but adapting to office life is a whole different story. It may seem like such a tiny detail in the bigger picture of your internship, but the small skills you learn through working in an office like communication, teamwork and time management will help you in your future career. Here are some tips and gifs from The Office to get you excited about living the office life!
There will be days that feel longer than others
Sitting at a desk for four to eight hours per day is a lot different than sitting in hour and a half lectures throughout the week. Some days will fly by, while others will drag on for a what feels like an eternity. If you find yourself getting distracted or burnt out, get up from your desk for few minutes. Taking a short break from …
The Intern Queenâs Career Advice
Matt Kennett is the marketing and public relations intern at the Crossroads of America Council. He is currently a senior marketing major at Butler Universityâs Lacy School of Business and will be seeking job opportunities in the near future.
I have accumulated some questions before I enter the work force, as many students have experienced. Fortunately, I was able to get some answers at an event through my internship at Crossroads of America Council. On Monday, October 24, 2016, I did not go into the office. Instead, I traveled downtown to take part in an internship event hosted by Indiana INTERNnet and Baldwin & Lyons. I did not know what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised by the professionalism and quality information provided.
I was able to meet interns from all around Indianapolis and some other Butler University students. We were able to talk about our current and past …
Make the Internship Work for You
Allison Gaffney graduated in May 2016 from Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. She majored in Journalism with a concentration in Public Relations. While at IUPUI, Allison interned with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis.
Internships are a great way to develop skills, build your network, make an impact and gain experience working in a professional environment. While it is important to produce quality work during an internship, it is also important to make sure that your internship provides you with opportunities to build your resume and portfolio.
According to Robert Meier, President of Job Market Experts, only the top two percent of applicants make it to the interview stage. Once you reach the interview stage, it is important to stand out. One of the best ways to do this is by having a diverse portfolio of work from internships and …
The True Value of Internships
As spring semester is coming to a close, reality is setting in. Graduation is near (or has already passed for some of you), and the stress is overwhelming. School-project deadlines are approaching, upcoming final exams, and the biggest struggle of all: job searching.
If you havenât started searching for jobs, do it now! For months I have been stalking Indeed, CareerBuilder, Charitable Advisors and various organizationsâ websites for available positions. The biggest issue Iâm having is a lack of experience/education.
Iâve started thinking maybe Iâm just picky or aiming too high. A position of Assistant Director could be a leap for a recent graduate, but it somewhat matches my ideal job description. Could there be a person in a level below the assistant director who could be promoted and Iâd take their spot?
My biggest regret in college is only participating in one internship. If I had known I would …