The Importance Of an Internship In Relation To Job Marketability
1. The Importance of an Internship in
Relation to Job Marketability
Amanda Walker, Recruiting Coordinator
2. What is an Internship?
Work-integrated learning experience
(also can be called… a co-op,
internship, field work, practicum)
Part-time or Full-time
Short-term or Long-term
Paid or Unpaid
Intentional Learning Plan
Promotes academic, personal and
professional development
3. What can you learn from
Internships?
Help you learn about a career field
from the inside
Help you decide if this is the right
career field for you
Enable you to work alongside a
professional in your chosen career area
Give you new skills and add to your
knowledge base
4. What can you learn from
Internships?
Give you confidence in your own
abilities
Let you apply some of the ideas you've
learned in school
Give you the opportunity to practice
your communication and teamwork
skills
5. Why are Internships are
important?
Experiential education offers a chance
to learn by doing, in a setting where
you are supervised by a work-place
professional, and have the opportunity
to achieve your own learning goals,
without the responsibilities of being a
permanent employee.
6. Benefits to the Student
Personal, Academic, Professional and
sometimes Financial
45% of employers offer higher salaries
to incoming hires with internship/co-op
experience
2006 Experiential Education Survey
National Association of Colleges and Employers
7. Benefits to the Student
Gain Industry Knowledge
Accumulate evidence of your abilities
Make critical professional contacts
Could possibly lead to full time
employment following graduation
Research shows that 85 percent of companies use internships and similar
experiential education programs to recruit for their full-time workforces.
-monster.com
8. Benefits to the Student
Allow you to meet new people and
practice your networking skills
Make a valuable addition to your
resume
Enhance your application to Graduate
School
Open the door to a job offer or a
recommendation about the next steps
you should take on your career path
9. Benefits to the Employer
provide a source of highly motivated pre-
professionals
provide quality candidates for temporary
positions and projects
allows for the freedom of professional staff
to pursue more creative projects
provide a flexible, cost-effective work force
provides a proven, cost-effective way to
recruit and evaluate potential employees
10. Internship Process
The first step in the internship process
is finding internships to apply for.
Where to find internships:
Internships.com
EmployUM and faculty referrals
The Internet / Google Searches
Feeler Resumes
11. Internships.com
The Career Center has access to an
internship database, internships.com
Allows students to search by field and
area of interest
Provides information about internships
throughout the country
12. The Internet and Feeler
Resumes
Students can search the web for
internships.
However, they should be careful because
some opportunities could be a scam.
For feeler resumes, students should
first get information about businesses
in the location they would like to intern.
Send resumes and cover letters requesting
internship opportunity.
13. Applying to an Internship
Your cover letter and resume should be
specific to the internship you are
applying for.
In your cover letter: highlight specific
qualities that match those in the job
description.
In your resume: Highlight work
experienced relevant to that job
combined with your education.
14. Guidelines
Develop a different cover letter for
each opportunity.
Employers will know if it is generic so
be specific to their position and
company.
All cover letters and resumes can be
critiqued by the Career Center.
Just allow 48 hours for us to complete it.
15. Resume Tips
Do not include any high school
information.
Make sure you have three
responsibilities for each job listed.
You do not have to put periods after
the responsibilities.
Keep your resume to one page as an
undergraduate.
16. Summary
What is an internship?
What are some ways you can find an
internship?
Why are internships a win-win for both
students and employers?
Why are internships important?
Editor's Notes
How many of you would like to have a job offer before or right after graduation? Does anyone know how they can prepare for their job search now as a Freshman?