Career Center Resources for Finding an Internship

1. Career Center Resources for Finding an Internship • Career Center Connector • Internet links for industry-related websites and postings • Library Resources • Internship Programs and Events • Meet with Career Counselor • Practice Interviews • Networking (Alumni Association’s “Find a Mentor”: www.alumni.umich.edu) • Informational Interviewing

2. Steps & Strategies for Your Internship Search 1. Develop Your Internship or Job Goals There are so many internship possibilities and opportunities. To find an opportunity that you will enjoy and benefit from, consider career fields that interest you, industries you would like to explore, and skills you would like to develop. Also worth considering: the location of the position and the type and size of the organization. • View internship postings on the Career Center Connector (C3) and visit our “Majors and Careers” link on The Career Center website, www.careercenter.umich.edu • Identify and prioritize your preferred types of organizations and job tasks. • Meet with a counselor at The Career Center for help identifying your internship goals and interests. 2. Prepare a Resume and Learn to Write Cover Letters When you apply for internships you will need to send a resume and a cover letter to the employer. It is critical to send high quality written materials that are error-free! • Look at samples and resources on The Career Center’s website and take advantage of Optimal Resume. • Call-ahead advising is available daily at The Career Center for resume and cover letter review and critique. For more information about the Internship Search, contact The Career Center: 3200 Student Activities Building, 764-7460, careercenter@umich.edu, www.careercenter.umich.edu

3. 3. Use Multiple Resources to Identify Internships The Career Center offers many resources to help you locate internships of interest. Use these resources to uncover the greatest number of ideal opportunities, and ensure your chances of securing the internship of your dreams. The Career Center’s website is a great starting point – www.careercenter.umich.edu • Register on-line for the Career Center Connector to access internship postings targeting U of M students. • Attend one of The Career Center’s many internship related events: Job Fair (Sept 23 and 24 – many employers there are looking for interns as well as full time hires), Multicultural Career Fair (Jan 20), Internship Fair (Jan 21), and employer info sessions throughout Fall and Winter. Check C3 for details. • Use internship books and employer directories in the Career Center library to gather contact information to inquire about internship opportunities.

4. 4. Apply for Positions from October through May Many summer internship deadlines are in February and March with some as early as November and others as late as June! Continue to apply as you identify new opportunities to increase your chances for success. • Follow application instructions carefully and proofread your materials for typos. • Maintain records on each organization you apply to and note the date you sent materials. • Make a follow up call 1-2 weeks after applying to express interest, inquire about timeline, etc. 5. Interview Take time to prepare and practice for interviews, to develop interviewing skills and savvy. The interview provides an opportunity for both the employer and your to determine if the internship is a good fit! • Learn about interviewing tips and formats on The Career Center website and practice interviewing using Optimal Interview. • Meet with a counselor at the Career Center to talk about interviewing questions and strategies. • Participate in a mock interview at The Career Center for an interview “dress rehearsal.” For more information about the Internship Search, contact The Career Center: 3200 Student Activities Building, 764-7460, careercenter@umich.edu, www.careercenter.umich.edu

5. How to Get Credit for Your Internship • Some academic departments have set up special courses for internship credit, which they award for their concentrators only. These include, for example, Communication Studies, Economics, English, French, Screen Arts & Cultures, Germanic (German, Scandinavian), Italian, Political Science, and Spanish. Check with your department for specific details. • In other programs, you may not get credit for simply doing an internship. However, it may be possible to get academic credit for an independent study that complements your internship. An independent study is a special arrangement made with an instructor to complete academic work not normally offered through traditional classroom instruction. Below is a step-by-step guide to arranging an independent study.

6. 1. Find a faculty member (sponsor) to supervise your internship. In order to get academic credit, it is essential that you find a sponsor willing to oversee the project. • 2. In consultation with your sponsor, draft a proposal that explains the internship, its relevance to an area of academic study, and outlines academic work you would complete in addition to the internship (i.e., a journal, several papers, or an oral presentation). Your proposal should suggest what work you will do, in addition to the internship, in order to get credit. Remember what you are getting credit for is an independent study. Note: Arrangements for receiving independent study credit should be completed before the internship begins. • 3. Set up a contract with your sponsor for the work to be done and deadlines for completing it. Check to see if there are specific procedures to follow or paperwork to complete for independent study in the faculty member's department.

7. 4. Get a permission number (override) from your sponsor or department staff, then register for the independent study. • 5. Throughout the course of your internship, think about how your experiences relate to your independent study project. Whether required or not, it is a good idea to keep a journal. The journal will allow you to record your daily activities and reflect on how they are relevant to your project. With your faculty sponsor's permission, you may wish to modify your contract to reflect the changing nature of your project.

8. 1.Communication Skills - verbal and written 2. Honesty/Integrity 3. Interpersonal Skills - relates well to others 4. Strong work ethic 5. Teamwork Skills 6. Analytical Skills 7. Motivation/initiative 8. Flexibility/Adaptability 9. Computer Skills 10. Detail-Oriented The Top 20 “skills” employers seek in candidates 11. Leadership Skills 12. Organizational Skills 13. Self-Confidence 14. Friendly/Out-going Personality 15. Tactfulness 16. Well Mannered/Polite 17. GPA (3.0 or better) 18. Creativity 19. Entrepreneurial Skills/Risk-Taker 20. Sense of Humor (National Association of Colleges & Employers, 2005)

9. Some Upcoming Internship Deadlines • Michigan in Washington Program (MIW) (9/26/08) • Public Service Internship Program (PSIP) (10/1/08) • NY Arts Internship Program (10/24) • U.S. Dept of State Internship Program (11/1) • Global Intercultural Exchange Program (11/6) • Minority Health & Health Disparities International Training Program (MHIRT) (11/7) • UM Development Summer Internship Program (DSIP) 1/16/09 • Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) 2/15/09