Intern Today

While some jobs don’t actually require that an applicant have completed an internship, there are several fields where an internship will increase your chances of being hired

Internships give you hands-on experience, show a potential employer you have some experience in the industry, and help you become more competitive in the job market. Here are three careers where an internship is virtually a must-have to land a job.

Medical Careers

To land a job as a nurse, medical assistant or pharmacy tech, you will most likely need to complete a medical internship. In fact, many nursing programs require students to complete a certain number of clinical hours, so you are sure to have lots of real-world experience. Employers in the health-care industry like to make sure the professionals they hire already have some experience before they start working at their organization. Internships can give you this experience.

Technology Careers

At the rate the technology industry changes, you’ll need to do at least one internship in this field so you can show your employer you are up to speed with all the latest technology. To start a career as a computer programmer, web developer or network engineer, you’ll need to do an internship with a technology-related organization. Technology careers are also very hands-on. For this reason, employers look for applicants that have already had a chance to test their skills outside of the classroom.

Business Careers

If you are working toward a career in business, an internship will show potential employers you know your stuff. Jobs such as an administrative assistant, accountant and advertising executive all mandate that the individual understands how business works. People in this field need to have a good grasp on business principles and how every role in a business contributes to its overall success. An internship will help you get a handle on these principles and help you get your feet wet in the business world.

Of course, there are many, many other industries where doing an internship will help increase your chances of landing a job. These three industries are some that more commonly look for applicants who have had some experience in the field as an intern. Give your career a boost and start internship hunting!

Yeah, yeah. You’ve been told dozens of times throughout your college career that you should do an internship. You are told it’s good for your career and your resume. But, do you really have a good, solid reason to do an internship? Most students know it’s important, but don’t know why.

If you’re questioning whether an internship is the right move for you, here are three reasons that might just sell you on the idea.

Get Your Hands Dirty

Some careers, like nursing, environmental science or advertising can’t really be learned in the classroom. Your classes are important, and will help you understand theories, history and best practices. But, nothing can really compare to getting out there and getting your hands dirty. An internship will give you the invaluable opportunity to learn the ins and outs of your industry first hand.

Go Beyond Entry Level

You might be surprised at how much experience you can actually gain from internships. If you do one, or even a few, while you are still in college, you are already gaining job experience. Then, when you graduate and beginning interviewing for that first job out of college, you’ll be able to tell employers that you already have a year or so of experience in the industry. This can help you beat out your competition in the job market.

Make Connections

The phrase “it’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know” is absolutely true. While you do your internship, you will make lots of connections in the industry. You’ll make connections with colleagues and other people in the field you brush shoulders with. These connections just may help you land a job when you are ready to start working full time.

You never know where an internship will take you. From hands-on experience to a stronger resume, an internship will only give you a head start in your career.

Internships are extremely valuable experiences. They can give you hands-on experience, help you decide what direction to take your career in, let you network and open up new doors to you. However, you only get out of internships what you put it, so here are five ways you can get the most from your internship.

Ask Questions

Don’t be afraid to ask questions while doing your internship. You are there to learn, and what better way to learn than to ask good questions? Your manager and coworkers all understand that as an intern, you don’t know all the ins and outs of being a software engineer yet, and won’t judge you for not knowing everything. Ask relevant, thoughtful questions and learn from the answers you are given.

Dig In

When you are given an assignment, don’t be shy to take charge. Dig in, get your hands dirty and learn by doing. This not only helps you learn about the industry, but proves to your employer that you are there to work, and are willing to take on any task. Building a good reputation and a strong relationship with those you do your internship with will only help you down the road.

Ask to Get Involved

If you feel like you aren’t getting involved enough in your internship, talk to your manager. Express your concerns that you aren’t carrying your weight and let your boss know you’d like some more hands-on experience. If you play your cards right, your accounting manager will probably be happy to add additional tasks to your list of responsibilities, and will be impressed you didn’t take the easy way out.

Be Respectful

A respectful attitude goes a long way in building connections. One of the most valuable things you can gain from an internship is the connections you’ll make. The people you work with now may help you find employment later, or may be able to help you with a project when you are working somewhere else. Being respectful to those who are more experienced than you makes it easier to foster a relationship with them.

Don’t Slack Off

Sometimes, if you don’t have lots of responsibilities as an intern, it’s easy to slack off and take it easy. This attitude will be picked up by your coworkers and manager, who will think less of you. If you don’t have enough to do, don’t waste company time. Talk to your employer and see if there is more you can do.

Internships are the perfect way to get your feet wet in a new industry. By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be able to get much more out of your internship and your career will be strengthened.

A few weeks ago, we offered a list of things you should take with you when you interview for an internship or job. Those necessities will help you project a professional image, and even have a more successful interview.

Just like there are things you should take to an interview, there are things you should not take. Here is our list of the top 10 things to leave at home when you set out for an internship or job interview.

1. Inappropriate Clothes: Those flip flops and that tank top are perfect for the beach, but are horrible for an interview. Dressing too casually can make you look unprofessional, and even send the wrong message that you don’t take the job seriously.
2. Gossip: Don’t ever, ever say bad things about past employers or mutual connections. This is a red flag that says “I’m not mature.”
3. Your Mom: Believe it or not, I’ve heard of people bringing their mothers to a job interview. It’s nice to have family support during your job search, just… leave that support at home.
4. Bulky Jewelry: Just like inappropriate clothes, too much, or bulky jewelry, doesn’t speak to a professional attitude. Some simple, tasteful jewelry is OK, just don’t overdo it.
5. A Laptop: You don’t need your laptop in an interview. You are there to give your interviewer your full attention, and to focus on the questions.
6. Facebook: We know you are smart enough not to post to Facebook while interviewing. However, it’s also a good idea to steer clear of social media while waiting in the lobby too. Instead, look through notes, company literature or a magazine on the coffee table. This spells professionalism.
7. A Bad Attitude: If you come in to your interview with a bad attitude, you won’t appear as the kind of person anyone would want to work with, let alone the interviewer.
8. Your Watch: Leave your watch in the car. Use it to help you get there on time, then once you are there, take it off. Then you won’t have the urge to check the time, which can make you look anxious or that you don’t care about the interview.
9. Your Backpack: Sure, we know you’re a student, but leave the backpack at home. Hoisting one to an interview doesn’t send the vibe that you are a young professional, ready to get to work.
10. Loose Change: Empty your pockets of any loose change. Interestingly, one of the most common nervous habits is to jingle change in your pocket. When you don’t give yourself the chance to show your nervous feelings, you’ll appear more confident.

Whether you are preparing for an interview for a business internship or a teaching career, leave these 10 things at home and you’ll have a much more successful interview.

The first few days as an intern can be stressful. You are trying to make a good impression, do good work and stay sane while you figure it all out. Just like any other new job, there are new things you’ll have to learn and new people to get to know.

Being a good intern can help you get recommendations, job offers and build your network of contacts. So how do you make a good impression? Here are three things to do on your first three days in the office that will impress your manager and coworkers.

#1 Be Prompt

Being prompt means being on time to work, it means meeting deadlines and it means staying on top of your responsibilities. When you show up on time every morning and get projects done on deadline, you are showing everyone that you take the job seriously, and have what it takes to handle your responsibilities.

#2 Meet Everyone

Sure, it will take a few weeks for you to remember the names of everyone in the office, but during your first few days on the job, introduce yourself to your coworkers. Getting to know those you work with will help you be a more successful intern, and will broaden your scope of contacts and potential recommenders down the road.

#3 Be Humble

There are few things more annoying than an arrogant colleague. As you start your internship, remember that you are an intern. This means showing that you are willing to learn, making it clear that you are a novice and that your manager knows best and always taking constructive criticism. A humble attitude will take you far during and after your internship.

As you start your new internship, take these three tips in mind to subdue your jitters. You’ll make a great impression and open more doors for yourself as you pursue a career.

When we talk about job interview preparation, we usually cover things like what to wear, tips on answering questions, and how to make a good first impression. What we don’t always think about is what to bring to an interview.

What you bring can help you make a good impression by showing the interviewer that you are prepared and ready to work. It can also help you be more prepared should you be called back for another interview.

Here’s the list:

1. Resume – You may have already emailed your resume to the employer, but bring an extra you can refer to. It also never hurts to give the interviewer a hard copy to make your application stand out.
2. Portfolio – Bring examples of your work. Be sure to bring extra copies so you can leave some with the interviewer. If your industry isn’t visual, bring copies of things like medical certification, project manager certification, or computer proficiency certificates. Your resume can highlight your experience, but your portfolio can show your talent.
3. Notepad – A notepad to jot down notes will make it easy to review your interview later, and will show your employer that you are prepared and professional.
4. Pen – There are few things more awkward than asking an interviewer for a pen. Have one on hand so you’ll be prepared and won’t have to sweat it.
5. References – These days, references are only expected upon request. If you bring a sheet with names and contact information, you’ll be all set to hand it off when the interviewer asks for them.
6. Breath Mints – Bring a pack of mints to keep in your purse or pocket and be sure to use one right before you go in for your interview.
7. Directions and Contact Info – Getting lost on your way to an interview is extremely stressful. Avoid this situation all together by bringing directions to the office and the interviewer’s contact info, just in case you take a wrong turn.
8. Questions – Whether you keep them in mind or actually make a list, go in to your interview with an idea of what kinds of questions you have for the interviewer.
9. Your Research – Before the interview, do some research about the company and the position. You’ll really shine when you can already discuss the company’s goals in your interview.
10. Confidence – The most important thing to bring to your interview is confidence. Be confident and you’ll make a good impression, feel less stress and show the employer you are ready to get to work.

Be prepared with these 10 items and you’ll have a successful job interview. Good luck!

Once you’ve landed that perfect internship, the pressure is on. You want to do well, impress your employer and make this internship work for you. If you are successful as an intern, more career doors will be open to you. Full-time job offer, new connections and strong recommendations are just a few of the things you can get out of an internship.

How do you make that good impression? By not doing any of the following:

1. Not Taking it Seriously

Sure, you’re an intern at the bottom of the totem pole, but you should still treat the position, and the company with respect. You’ve been given a great opportunity and if you act like you don’t appreciate it, you’ll make a bad impression. Instead, thank your employer for the job offer and then work your hardest to do your best work, no matter how menial your assignment may seem.

2. Falling Asleep

This may seem obvious, but believe it or not, I once managed an intern that fell asleep on the job several times. Obviously, falling asleep will ruin your reputation and any recommendation you may have received from your employer. But, even if you don’t actually fall asleep, zoning out or being too laid back can also have it’s consequences. When you’re on the clock, work hard and show your employer you care about the company and your position.

3. Complaining

Nothing turns an employer off more than an employee who complains about his or her job. You accepted the position, you were given an opportunity to be a part of a bigger goal, and you don’t have room to complain when you are asked to do your job. Take every task on as a challenge, a chance to learn something new and a way to add to your resume.

4. Trash Talking

Never, never speak poorly about past employers or your school program. When you speak ill of other employers, you appear to be ungrateful and even arrogant. Your current boss will also wonder what you are telling others about him or her. Also, take pride in your school and major. Your education is probably what got you where you are with this internship, so don’t bite the hand that feeds you.

5. Taking the Easy Road

When you do as little as possible just to complete an internship, or just to keep the position, you are sending the signal that you are lazy and don’t really care about the internship. If you don’t care about it, your employer will probably think you are replaceable, which is the last impression you want to give. Always put your all into your internship, and you’ll get much more out of it.

As you work as an intern, steer clear of these five pitfalls and you’ll not only make a great impression, but advance your career.

Most people understand the importance of networking with professionals. As a college student, you know it’s important to make connections with people already in the industry as you start looking for your first job out of college.

But, have you ever thought about networking with your peers? Fellow students, coworkers, other interns and anyone else that is at your same level career-wise are valuable connections to make. These people may not be any further along in their career than you are, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make an effort to network with them.

Networking with peers has several advantages. One, it’s often easier than networking with professionals. You already have easy access to your peers in classes and at work, so the physical connection is already there, all you have to do is start a conversation. Sometimes it’s less intimidating to network with people of your same station in life. You can talk about future goals, internship experiences and job interviews.

Another advantage to networking with peers is that they are often who employers go to for new employee recommendations. For example, your classmate and friend may already be working in computer forensics. His employer may be looking to hire a new intern, and may ask your friend if he knows anyone who may be interested. If you’ve already formed a solid relationship with your friend, he will probably recommend you for the position.

When you network with peers, you are networking with future professionals. One day you will both be in the work force, and holding accounting positions or working at advertising agencies. When you have a job, industry connections become even more valuable. By starting to network with these people early, you’ll be able to continue your relationship as you both start careers, and can help each other out even more.

Networking with peers isn’t a common job-searching strategy. However, it is a relatively easy way to make connections and even find job leads. As you attend social events in your department and as you work college jobs, don’t forget to network with those around you and then foster those relationships as you continue throughout your career.

Most people get a case of the jitters before they interview for an internship. It’s only normal to be a little nervous and feel the pressure to perform. You’ve worked hard for this moment and don’t want to mess up now. However, staying calm will help you perform better, help you make a better first impression and make you appear more confident to your interviewer.

It’s All About Preparation

Prepare well. The more you prepare, the more confident you will feel, which will help you get rid of the jitters. Do research about the company and the internship. Find out what your responsibilities will be and be prepared to tell your interviewer why you are the best candidate to carry out those responsibilities.

Quiz Yourself

Brainstorm possible questions you might have to answer in your interview, then decide how you will answer them. Practice asking yourself these questions and answering them. This way, you’ll have fewer surprises, which means fewer jitters.

Take a Deep Breath

It may seem cliche, but take a deep breath before you go into your interview. Clear your mind (except of all the preparation you did, of course) and tell yourself you can do it. Deep breaths go a long way in curing the jitters.

Rely on Your Support

Talk to your friends and family about your upcoming interview. These people have probably been in your shoes and been extremely nervous for an interview. They can give you some advice and help you muster some courage.

Self Confidence

Go into your interview with an attitude of confidence. Tell yourself you are well prepared, and qualified for the internship. When you build confidence within yourself, it shows on the outside, showing your interviewer that you are a strong candidate. Building self confidence will also help you quell your fears.

Take a deep breath. Talk to your friends. Prepare well. No matter how nervous you are, you can ace this interview with a little determination and self confidence.

Medial assistant internships can be some of the hardest to find. Employers in the medical field don’t often list internships in the regular places. They are often looking for sharp, qualified students, and now is your chance to show them that you are what they are looking for.

School Internship Office

Many schools that offer medical assistant programs have very strong connections with health care providers in the area. They work with hospitals, urgent care facilities and family doctors to place students in internships. Many health care centers don’t post internship listings because they rely on this relationship to find trusted interns. Talk with your school’s internship office to see if they have a program like this.

Asking is Free

Contact health care centers in your area and see if they have internship programs or if they would be interested in hiring an intern. Many places have internship programs, but they aren’t publicized. If you express interest in doing an internship for a specific place, they just might take you up on it. If they aren’t able to provide you with an internship, they may know another health care center or private practice in the area that does hire interns.

Apply for a Job

If there are job listings for entry level medical assistants, go ahead and apply for them. If you land an interviewer, talk to the employer about the possibility of labeling the job as an internship so you can get school credit. Let them know you are willing to work hard and want the job, you just have some hoops to jump through with your school. If you impress the employer and they are seriously interested in hiring you, they may be willing to work with you to help you get your internship credit.

It’s hard, but not impossible to find a medical assisting internship. Talk with your school counselor and contact health care centers directly and your chances of finding an internship will increase.