Unlocking the Power of Internships for Vocational Vitality
Discover the significance of internships in bridging the gap between academia and the professional world. Learn why internships are crucial, how they enhance marketability, and how to set effective internship goals. Explore the benefits of StrengthsQuest for career alignment and understand why employers value internship experiences. Uncover the types of internships available and tips for securing opportunities with smaller companies.
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HOW TO FIND AN INTERNSHIP To connect, equip and empower students for vocational vitality WT Career Services Mission West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program 1
WHAT IS AN INTERNSHIP? Work Work World World School School Internships act as a bridge between school and the work world. A staggering 95 percent of employers said candidate experience is a factor in hiring decisions, according to an annual survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program 2
WHY ARE INTERNSHIPS IMPORTANT? Career Confirmation Experience Contacts They make you more marketable Can trump GPA and major West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program 3
WHAT ARE YOUR INTERNSHIP GOALS? Learn more about an industry or organization Gain new skills Connections Experience Intern in a certain location Intern during a certain time Money Use your goals as filters to evaluate internship opportunities. Career Counseling can help if you are unsure West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program about internship goals. 4
USE STRENGTHQUEST TO BETTER UNDERSTAND JOB FIT & WHAT YOU CAN OFFER 301 Moved Permanently Learn more at http://www.strengthquest.com http://wtamu.edu/buffstrong http://strengths.southmountaincc.edu/students- strengths/applying-talents-in-career-discovery/ West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program You can watch a video about Strengths by clicking here 5
WHY EMPLOYERS LIKE INTERNSHIPS? West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program 6
TWO TYPES OF INTERNSHIPS Competitive Less Competitive West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program 7
MAJOR POINT Many smaller companies (less competitive) have no formal internship program Contact them and apply Research and find those you are interested in West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program 8
HOW TO APPLY Let what you are trying to accomplish guide the types of organization you consider Internship Goals Come up with as many employers as you can that interest you. It doesn t matter if they have a posted job opening or not. Develop A List of Top Employers Research Companies On Your List Find out as much as you can about them through the website, contacts, news sources, etc. Work Your List Call, write call method West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program 9
IDEAS TO BUILD YOUR TOP EMPLOYERS LIST Handshake Career Services Staff Build List Based on Your Interests & Passions Faculty Google, Indeed, Etc. Dream Company Competitors LinkedIn West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program 10
THE CREATIVE JOB SEARCH Identify 30-40 companies you want to work for Do you want to work with a small or large employer? A manufacturing or a service company? A new company or an old established one? Do you want to travel or be home in the evening? Interested in healthcare, retail, financial companies, printing, etc. Send a letter of introduction to each company This builds name recognition. You can do it via email or using an old-fashioned paper letter. You can see examples letters of introduction here here Send your cover letter & resume one week after your letter of introduction Tailor the cover letter and resume to each company. Also, address it the person you sent your letter of introduction to Follow up with a phone call This is extremely important. Call about 4-5 days after you send your resume and cover letter. Only about 1-2% of people do this step. But remember, if you only send your cover letter and resume (step #3), you have a 1 out of 254 chance of getting an offer. Combine that with a phone call and the odds improve to 1 out 15. Add a letter of introduction and the odds get even better. West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program 11
NETWORKING IDEAS The Most Effective Job Search Strategy INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWING Three Bones of Networking MOCK INTERVIEWS West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program 12
TIPS TO FIND AN INTERNSHIP Network, Network, Network Be Organized Check Handshake Regularly Participate in Career Services Have a Top- Notch Resume West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program 13
TIPS FOR SUCCESS AS AN INTERN Meet new people where you intern Take initiative Propose a project West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program 14
PARTNERING WITH THE CAREER SERVICES INTERNSHIP PROGRAM We don t guarantee an internship; however, partnering with us improves your chances. West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program 15
PARTNER WITH THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM Develop a Strong Resume There s a great power in words, if you don t hitch too many of them together. Josh Billings West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program 16
PARTNER WITH THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM Upload Your Resume onto Handshake West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program 17
PARTNER WITH THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM Develop Your Interviewing Skills Click the picture for mock interviewing information. Click here for online interviewing workshop. West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program 18
WHAT IF I FIND MY OWN INTERNSHIP? Contact us immediately. We ll work with your academic department and try to coordinate credit if possible. West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program 19
ACADEMIC CREDIT Once you have an internship offer (and before you start), meet with our office and we ll help you explore the credit possibilities. West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program 20
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS You Are Ambassadors for WT West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program 21
WRAPPING IT UP Getting Involved with Career Services Attend resume workshop Upload your resume into Handshake Polish your interviewing skills interviewing skills interviewing skills Handshake Proactive Ideas (Do As Many As You Can) Utilize Career Counseling Develop Your Top Employers List Networking Informational Interviews West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program 22
QUESTIONS?? WTAMU Experiential Education Program Student Succss Center CC 113 (806) 651-2345 Coordinator: Steve Sellars ssellars@wtamu.edu Follow us on social media. We re WTCareer. Internship Twitter- @WTIntern West Texas A&M University Experiential Education Program 23
RESOURCES Career Counseling INTERNSHIP STUDENT HANDBOOK- Good information and ideas to better understand the skills you have to offer - http://www.wtamu.edu/student-support/cs-stu-internship-forms.aspx MYPLAN- Robust online resources with in-depth occupational info (career assessments, what can I do with a major in ???, etc.)- http://wtamu.myplan.com/ Ideas for Developing Your Top Ten List The WT Career Services Office- Check out our job listings, and internship directories. The Web-We ve listed our favorite internship search web sites at http://www.wtamu.edu/student-support/cs-stu- job-search-internet.aspx The Library- Make the reference librarian your friend!! They can connect with all kinds of good internship listings. Connect with the library online at http://www.wtamu.edu/library/ The News Media- Watch the news and read the paper. As you learn about new businesses coming to town or employment trends, you may find job leads. The Yellow Pages- Obvious, but it may give you some ideas. Research the companies on your list to see if they are a good match. Good ideas for researching a company are online at http://www.wtamu.edu/student-support/cs-stu-research-employer.aspx Networking Resources Video with practical tips to network- https://youtu.be/3NBlt0a7eaU 3 Bones of Networking for Student Success- https://youtu.be/4OTPJZnBP8s Mango- Get Face-To-Face With Your Network- https://mangoconnects.com/ West Texas A&M University Experiential Education 24 Program
