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Five things to bow if you have (or don’t have) your first internship this summer
BY ANNEY BOLGIANO
Staff WwTHt
I: If you are not getting credit for your
internship, you should get on that.
"Students do not always realize they have the
option of receiving academic credit for internship
work," said Megan Corkery, career counselor
and coordinator of internships. "We encourage
students to earn credit for an internship."
You can also get credit for paid internships.
Maybe you have managed to get an internship,
but you are still a little scattered and have not
applied to get credit. Don't worry, you still have
time. The deadlines to receive academic credit for
summer internships are:
Full summer term (10 weeks) - June 5
First summer term (first 5 weeks) - May 31
Second summer term (second 5 weeks) - July 8
3: Interning is on the rise, and for good
reason, even among younger students
(cough — sophomores — cough)
"We have seen a growth in numbers each year,
especially in the last two years. " said Corkery. "In
comparison to other liberal arts colleges in the U.S.,
Guilford is on the high-end of students who participate
in internships for academic credit. I do not have
figures on which year does more interns, but if I had
to guess, it would definitely be juniors and seniors.
Sophomores are more steadily doing internships,
which is wonderful, and we highly encourage that."
There is no reason to wait to intern. If you can find
something after your first-year, go for it. If you find a
volunteer opportunity, take it. It will make it easier to
find something for your next summer and will help
point you in the direction of what field you will be
most happy working or interning in.
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4: Stay in touch after
internship is completed.
Internships provide a myriad of
benefits: work experience, references
and career insight and networking, just
to name a few. For some students, their
internships led to other opportunities.
Sophomore Sara Minsky interned at
Participatory Action Research Center for
Educational Organizing in New York.
"I have kept a connection and
have been doing some work with the
organization from school and now am
officially a staff member there," said
Minsky. "I suggest that if people really
like the organization they intern with to
keep in touch about staying connected
and working for them in the future."
2: If you do not have an internship, but think you may want one, you still have some
options.
Though it is best to start looking early for internships, if you do not have one now, there are some steps you
can take to make your this summer a career smart summer.
"Students can also consider doing some job shadowing with family, friends or relatives who are in the
field they're interested in," said Corkery. "Volunteering can also be an excellent resume builder. Conducting
informational interviews of individuals in your chosen field is also a good strategy for networking or finding
future jobs/internships. Informational interviewing is a form of networking, where you have a 20-30 minute
conversation (in person) about what they do in their job, how they got there, what educational path they took,
what trends they are seeing in their field, etc."
Junior and Bonner Scholar Emily Morazan started looking for an advocacy-related internship late in the
game, aroimd mid-late April, but had surprising success.
"Don't just look for internship programs," said Morazan. "Find an organization that you think is cool and
then contact them and ask for a volunteer or internship coordinator."
A good website to visit is www.idealist.org. Ideally, you can search jobs, volunteer opportunities and
organizations by field and area. Just because there are no internships available nearby or in your field of interest
does not mean there aren't any opportunities. Search for organizations and reach out to any that interest you.
5: Don’t worry about it; you are going to
do a great job.
Interning is a very unique opportunity to gain
experience in a nurturing environment where your
learning and growth are valued.
Sophomore Katahdin Kehoe interned at the
Maryland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals.
"Do your best but don't stress when you make a
mistake," said Kehoe. "It happens. (My internship)
was successful because I was doing something that
I enjoyed."
May showers bring plenty el snmmer opportnnities
BY JAMIE LUCKHAUS
Staff WwT»
Summer. School is out. You made it through finals. Time
to hit the beach and feel the sand between your toes. Sleep
in. Get sunburned by the pool.
Although these are vital parts of summer, there is much
more to do. Your tan will fade, but the experienced gained
interning or volunteering will stick with you.
Corkery. "Classroom learning is wonderful, but it only
allows you to go so far. Interning allows you to get hands-
on experience and apply theories from the classroom."
by
This late in the year, most deadlines have passed. But
visit GoAbroad.com for opportunities to intern, study,
volunteer and teach abroad.
Internships
"I would always encourage people to intern," said junior
Jamie Rodgers. "Especially if you have no idea what you
want to do with your life after college, like me."
Rodgers will intern for the Beloved Community Center
as a part of the Principled Problem Scholars Program.
"I use internships as a way to see if I can actually visualize
myself doing something daily for years," said Rodgers. "I
love being able to see the information I learned in class
actually be applied in a possible field I want to enter."
First-year Lek Siu will be earning credit for her major and
the Bonner Scholars program, interning for the American
Friends Service Committee.
"Internships have lots of opportunities for credits and to
earn leadership skills, new knowledge and abilities," said
Siu. "I definitely recommend that other students intern."
There are tons of nonprofits and local agencies in the
Greensboro and Piedmont area. Don't be afraid to contact
them.
"Employers prefer to hire graduates with experience,"
said Internship Coordinator and Career Counselor Megan
Informational Interviewing
Here is a great way to learn more about a career without
devoting much time.
First, email everyone you know saying you are interested
in interviewing someone in the specific field.
Contact the names given and say who referred you. Ask
about their job likes, dislikes and schooling. It should not
take more than 20 minutes.
Give them your card, which you can get for free at
vistaprint.com, and get theirs. Ask for additional contacts.
Volunteer
It is always good to give back to the community, but
find something that interests you. You will be more
devoted, enjoy it more and the person or organization will
appreciate you more.
Know someone who needs an extra hand due to age or a
disability? Do yard work or little things around the house.
Besides being considerate, anyone interested in a career in
working with the elderly (a growing field) can get a head
start.
Job Shadowing
Seeing someone on the job gives insight to a career
and an opportunity to ask questions. Once again, contact
anyone and everyone.
Jobs
Any job is important, but one that gives you experience
in an area of interest does double — money and experience.
www.collegecentral.com/ guilford provides pages of job
listings.
Just for fun
Maybe you want to take a break from school related
activities — understandable. Join a club or create one.
Attend surf camp or horseback riding camp. Learning a
new skill is always beneficial and always exciting, and you
will meet new people.
Work on a special project. Write a book, woodwork,
create art or improve technical and software skills.
Study Abroad/Travel
The best way to learn another language or improve
current skills is to go where everyone speaks it.
The Study Abroad office always has someone ready to
help. If you are even just considering going abroad, stop
THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT
CENTER AND STUDY ABROAD
OFFICE ARE HERE FOR YOU IN
KING 110 AND KING
112
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