Tag Archives: young professionals
New Year’s Resolutions for Young Professionals
2020 is almost here! Can you believe it? Every time we’re approaching a new year, there’s a lot of talk of resolutions. People typically focus on health, money, and other aspects of self-care. One thing that’s typically neglected in resolutions is your professional growth, especially if you’re a college student/young professional. Here are some resolutions you should make for 2020!
Keep an active LinkedIn profile.
It’s easy to neglect using LinkedIn. But you don’t need to use LinkedIn as often as you use Twitter or Instagram. Make a resolution to keep an active LinkedIn , but be specific about it! Aim to engage with two posts on LinkedIn each week, or make one new connection a month. While you may not think LinkedIn is worth your time, it’s still the main social network for professionals. Make sure your profile is up to date, and that you take time to fill …
The Job Search and Dating: More Similar Than You’d Think
After I graduated, I was still in the midst of my job search for an âadultâ job/career. So I continued at my internship and working retail, searching for that coveted full-time position. At the same time, I navigated the dating world, trying both online dating sites and various events to meet people.
I noticed uncomfortable similarities between dating and my job search. Here are the two biggest lessons I learned.
Both parties won’t immediately reveal their true intentions.
Most of the time, on that first or second date, you won’t be completely honest with each other. You won’t say that youâre hung up on your ex, and youâre trying to date to forget them. Your date wonât say that theyâre just lonely because theyâre living by themselves, and have no intention of talking to you after this date because they have commitment issues. But you both feign interest, and warily …
Tips to Become an Intern-to-Hire Success
At Indiana INTERNnet, we love a good intern-to-hire story. Weâre always on the lookout for tales of individuals around the state who were able to turn their internship into a full-time job offer. As a senior in college, I enjoy these stories on a personal level for the hope that they bring me. Throughout this summer, Iâve heard of several different people who were hired after their internship was over, and itâs made me wonder â what could I do to help make that happen? So, for both your benefit and my own, here are some tips to help all of us interns (hopefully) get hired:
Take Initiative
It is not unusual for interns to run out of things to do at work. Rather than give in to the temptation of playing on your phone or doing other non-work-related activities on your down time, find ways to be productive. If …
Should I have a Mentor?
Although the idea of having a career mentor is not new, the notion has grown in popularity in recent years. I had heard the word thrown around before, but I wasnât quite aware of the popularity of this tactic until I read Sheryl Sandbergâs book, Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead, last year. Successful professionals from a variety of backgrounds have endorsed mentorship and credited these types of relationships for a portion of their achievements.
So, what purpose does a mentor serve?
The Balance defines a mentor as someone who âbecomes a source of wisdom, teaching, and supportâ for young professionals seeking guidance. Ideally, this would be a person that you could go to and ask for advice when facing work-related dilemmas and they could guide you based on their own experiences. While not completely necessary, it helps if this person works or has worked in the …
Shooting for Success at IMPACT Awards
Indiana INTERNnet honored excellence among interns, employers and career development professionals at the 11th annual IMPACT Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Ivy Tech Community College.
The theme for the luncheon was âShooting for Successâ and Tamika Catchings, four-time Olympic gold medalist, WNBA All-Star and founder of Catch the Stars Foundation delivered the keynote address, âScoring Big with Your Career.â
Before Catchings finished her final season with Indiana Fever, she participated in a National Basketball Association (NBA) program that helps NBA and Womenâs National Basketball Association (WNBA) players plan for life after basketball. Catchings interned at the WNBA league office in New York City. The experience and knowledge she gained through her internship will prepare her for her new position as game analyst for SEC Network.
âExperiential learning is a key piece of Indianaâs workforce development plans, and the nominees we celebrated this year are a promising indication of Indianaâs Future,â said …
Evolution of an Intern
As my time with Indiana INTERNnet is coming to an end, I wanted to extend my genuine gratitude and share the best parts about my evolution as an intern with everyone! Iâve had such a rewarding and educational experience working with some of the best minds in Indianaâs workforce development and non-profit sectors. Indiana INTERNnet showed me not only how influential internship programs are for future students, but also showed me a deeper part of myself that values mentorship and personal development.
Diving into a new internship post-graduation was one of the easiest decisions Iâve ever made. Unlike my peers from college, I didnât graduate with a gleaming full-time offer from one of my favorite companies. I honestly wasnât sure if that was what I wanted since I graduated college a semester early, and that was OK! But what I did have was a B.A. in Telecommunications and resume I …
High School Internships & How To Get Involved
1. If you are a high school student, take time during every week of school to meet with your teachers, discuss topics that excite you, learn a new hobby and make new friends. Audition for the school play or try out for the soccer team. These experiences will stick with you throughout college.
2. Talk to your guidance counselor about how you can shape your future classes into a schedule that suits you and your career goals. There is nothing more important than learning to articulate your passions with the leaders who can help you get on the right path. Youâd be surprised when you find that the classes you took in high school directly correlate with your major in college and even after graduation!
3. Ask teachers about internships and work-and-learn initiatives at your school. If your school doesnât have an internship program, encourage your guidance …
Local Interns Receive Royal Treatment from the Intern Queen
Lauren Berger is changing the game when it comes to connecting and engaging young professionals with career development and internship opportunities across the country. She is not only the CEO and founder of her multi-faceted brand, Intern Queen, but is also a national best-selling author, public speaker, and âarguably the most in-demand career and internship expert.â Â She also has a new self-titled site, LaurenBergerInc.com, where you can find anything from career tips, entrepreneurial training and even fashion advice.
Back in 2009, Berger realized there was a great need for a more personalized way to connect students with internship opportunities so they could have a better chance of landing their dream job and creating a fulfilling professional life for themselves.
For these reasons, itâs clear why the Indiana INTERNnet team was thrilled to host a question and answer session here at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. We invited local interns from …
Decisions, Decisions, DecisionsâŠ
Should I get a part-time job? Should I go to the gym this morning, or just skip it and have pizza for lunch? Well, since I have a test tomorrow, maybe I should go to the library. But it looks way too nice outside to stay indoors. Should I start looking into graduate schools? Ugh! Decisions, decisions, decisionsâŠ
If youâre anything like me, then this is a typical day in your life. Letâs face it â every day we encounter choices in our lives. From the time we wake up to the time we go to sleep, weâve already made hundreds of decisions throughout the day. Some are conscious and intentional, like choosing outfits, deciding what to eat and when to walk the dog. Other decisions are made subconsciously and automatic, much like how our brain solves problems and processes memories from the day during our sleep and dream cycles. …
Career Ready: Strengthening Indianaâs Talent Pipeline
Indiana INTERNnet, Indiana Commission for Higher Education, and Purdue University joined forces to coordinate a session during the HR Indiana Annual Conference. The session, Career Ready: Strengthening Indianaâs Talent Pipeline, occurred on Wednesday, the final day of the conference. Indiana INTERNnet was honored to share the podium with brilliant minds who are shaping and strengthening Indiana’s talent pipeline for career readiness.
A few of Indianaâs esteemed influencers in the world of education, public affairs, workforce policy, and business shared their insights on plans to help Indianaâs economy grow. Teresa Lubbers, the Commissioner for Indianaâs Commission for Higher Education (CHE), discussed invaluable strategies that CHE is pursuing to ensure Indianaâs post-secondary education system is aligned to meet the needs of students and the state. She addressed key values of career alignment, competency and completion that will carry CHEâs goals to the fullest extent of success in our community.
The Indiana …
Networking, Financial Guidance and Funnel Cakes
Last Friday, Indiana INTERNnet partnered with the Indiana State Fair to host the third (and final) intern engagement event of the summer. The interns were ready for a full day of fun, which started with a round of networking bingo!
Each player searched for a fellow intern who matched a description on the bingo card. For example, an intern who has studied abroad or one has complete multiple internships. Once a row or column was completed, the player was entered in a drawing for Fair Bucks (dollar-amounted vouchers to be used only at the Indiana State Fair). Janet Boston, Executive Director of Indiana INTERNnet, announced the winners-all three were Salesforce intern- during her welcoming speech.
The entertainment continued with two representatives from the Indiana State Fair making an on-stage appearance. Mark Anderson, Director of Human Resources at the Indiana State Fair Commission, thanked everyone for coming and discussed …
The Roaring Twenties: Developing a Post-Grad Community
This is a guest post from Sarah Eutsler. She is a freelance writer, the founder & editor of twentysomething Indy, and owner of On a Good Note Designs, an online stationery and gift shop. She’s a proud DePauw grad and active Delta Gamma alumna, serving on the board of the Indianapolis Alumnae of Delta Gamma and as an alumna volunteer for the Purdue and Butler chapters. When she’s not busy running around trying to do everything, she’s fueling her addictions to magazines and How I Met Your Mother or trying to blog here. Don’t be shy! Follow her and say hello on Twitter.
When I graduated from DePauw last year I was prepared for a lot of things: to work, to pay those dreaded bills, to spend weeknights going to bed early instead of doing homework (or splitting pitchers of Blue Moon at the campus bar with a few …
From Intern to Young Professional: The Who, What and Where of the Social Shift
A successful internship experience is a catalyst for work placement and community involvement for the young professional. Â This means focusing on a positive experience outside the office as well. So, Indiana INTERNnet provides opportunities for interns to network, socialize, and help the Indianapolis community.
Indy Interns, Indiana INTERNnetâs community-engagement initiative, provided a number of opportunities this summer, including an outlet to share internship experiences, learn about financial wellness, give back to the community, and explore the local Indy culture. But, whatâs next?
For the âpreâ young professional, the real world is a mysterious place. Shifting from college student and intern to young professional is about engaging in a new vibrant community, getting involved in community discussions, and creating a new social network with fellow young pros. It may sound logicalâperhaps even simpleâbut it requires time, effort, and knowing where to look for opportunities. So where should one …
Lessons Learned as a 24-Year-Old Intern
Ali Turner is a professional writer and career blogger. She’s also the managing editor of Campuses to Careers, a blog that helps young people make informed career and education decisions. Topics covered on the blog include careers for shy people and how to follow up on a job application.
I am now proud to say that I was a 24-year-old intern. But I didn’t always feel that way. After graduation and struggling to find job prospects in this dismal economy, I decided to take an unpaid internship at an international non-profit. I knew that I needed more experience, and I decided that an internship related to public relations, the field I wanted to get into, was better than something completely random.
My admission to being a post-graduate intern was met with a little shock and even some snickering and eye-rolling. This negativity mostly (but not always) came from members of the older …
The Mystery of the Young Professional
The âyoung professional.â To the rest of the workforce, itâs a crypticâeven dauntingâterm and generation. Who are they? What do they want? What do they value?
To me, it seems simple. They donât want your job; they want to help you do your job! The âyoung proâ wants to learn, assist, and prepare for the day they have their own job. Young professionals are recent college graduates or currently-enrolled college students. They seek new employment opportunities or internships. This group is young and energetic. They have experience with social media and new forms of technology you didnât even know existed. Theyâre driven and creative. They all have different skills, talents, and interests. But, the bottom line is they are willing to work, and they want to learn. Young professionals are the future after all.
As supervisors and managers, donât you want your future to be ready? If you answered …