Good afternoon everyone,
Sitting here typing this it is hard to believe that the end of the semester is in sight! Though graduate school has gone fast, this semester has felt like light speed. It seems like it was only a short time ago that I was taking my comprehensive exam. Now I am starting to apply for positions as I see them opening. As I was sitting in a meeting with my director at my internship site last week, it dawned on me how much I have gained in a little over two semesters working in the functional area of career services. Many programs here at KU have some sort of internship requirement. Here are my tips for making it meaningful in your development as a professional.
Don’t go for the easy site:
It is human nature in my opinion to take the easy road many times and this applies to looking for an internship site. I encourage new grad students to begin thinking as soon as you begin your program. Listen to people in your program who are further along as this will help guide you as your begin to contact sites. Also, just because a site has never had an intern before does not mean they would not be willing to host one. Don’t be afraid to ask. This is where you will be putting the theories learning in the classroom to practice so make sure it is a place you will allow you to do that.
Use the interview as a two was exchange of information:
After your initial email or phone conversation with the supervisor at that site, you will likely be asked to come in for an interview. Do your homework just like you would for a job. Research the office and the professionals in it as much as possible. LinkedIn is a great tool for this and for those that don’t have an account I would highly recommend it. Have several copies of an up to date and current version of your resume. The KU Career Development Center offers a FREE drop off review service for resumes. Have a clear understanding about first of all where you are as a growing professional, what you want out of the internship site, and how you need to be supervised to make that learning happen. That will allow you to ask the interviewer questions that will help know if the office is a good fit. Ask about opportunities for professional development such as weekly trainings or conferences the office traditionally attends.
Talk to everyone:
In the first two weeks of you starting at the site, make sure you take time to talk to as many people in the office and get a sense of who they are as well as their responsibilities. It is great networking and it will help you accomplish your projects much smoother.
Keep organized (goes for your supervisor too):
If you don’t already own a planner, get one. At the beginning of the experience, set up formal learning objectives for the semester with your supervisor. Make sure they are attainable. Taylor them to your needs, not http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/14/technology/at-google-x-a-top-secret-lab-dreaming-up-the-future.html?_r=1&ref=technology the responsibilities of the previous intern. Schedule at least a weekly time where you and your supervisor can sit down and talk about your progress. Things get can get hectic in any work environment and sometimes these meetings can’t happen formally but their should be no reason they cannot carve out 15-30min a week to speak with you. During the meetings at my site, my director and I will talk about my progress, overall office activity/events, and a professional development topic.
I hope these tips help and if you have any questions about our programs here at KU feel free to give our office a call at 610-683-4200 or email us at graduate@kutztown.edu. Have a great day.
Sincerely,
Ryan
