Getting Your Ideal Internship

insider guide
GETTING YOUR
IDEAL INTERNSHIP
6TH edition
WHERE TO FIND THE BEST OPPORTUNITIES HOW TO TURN AN INTERNSHIP INTO A JOB OFFER PROFILES OF REAL INTERNS AT WORK
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Insider
Guide
Getting Your
Ideal Internship
6th edition
GYII_FNL_11.21HS.indd 1
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Getting Your Ideal Internship
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Getting your ideal internship

6th Edition
ISBN: 978-1-58207-985-1
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All illustrations by mckibillo
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CHAPTer
1
1
internships:
the biG
picture
2 overview
5 the search
15 GettinG hired
6 Types of
16 The Recruiting
Internships
process
2 Benefits of
Internships
7 The Scoop on
Unpaid Internships
17 What Employers
Want
3 Why They
Want You
9 Sources for
Internship leads
18 Timeline: landing
an Internship
10 Identifying Your
19 Getting Your
Ideal Internship
act Together
11 Internships abroad
19 Interviewing 101
13 Timing the Search

6th edition
12/7/11 12:34 PM
23 naViGatinG
your internship
35 real intern
proFiles
43 For your
reFerence
24 hitting the
36 architecture Intern
44 Recommended
Ground Running
Resources
36 Magazine Editorial
25 acting like a pro
27 Making the Most
of Your Internship
29 Timeline:
Your Internship
Intern
37 MBa Intern with a

Software Startup
38 MBa Brand
Management Intern
39 advertising Intern
40 IT Intern
40 Intern for a
consumer appliance
Manufacturer
contents
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12/7/11 12:34 PM
Internships:
The Big Picture
Overview........................................ 2
Benefits of Internships................... 2
Why They Want You...................... 3
12/7/11 12:34 PM
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
CHAPTER 2
The Search
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
Overview
An internship can be one of the most effective tools for success in the business worlda vehicle
to take you from where you are to where you want to
go. This is true whether youre an undergrad taking the
first steps in exploring your options, a graduate student
with a clear idea of your career goals, or even an experienced professional aiming to change careers.
Internships give you new skills, provide memorable
experiences and measurable accomplishments, and let
you make valuable professional connections.
But be aware: Generally speaking, getting an
internship is not a way to make a living. Many interns
arent paid. The idea is that the chance to beef up your
resume while doing valuable work in a real-world setting should be its own reward. Still, compensation
policies will vary by industry, with the more glamorous industries paying the least, if anything. If youre
aiming for an internship in entertainment, sports,
advertising, or journalism, expect to work for free.
Also, take into account your level of experience. The
wider the gap in experience between you and a true
industry professional, the more willing you should be
to work without pay. Its possible to start for free, then
request a review along the road to evaluate whether
you should be paid. Some internships may qualify as
independent study, gaining you academic credits.
The availability of internships is less affected by
fluctuations in the economy than you might think.
Theres good business sense (some might even say
cynicism) behind this: When a rough economy forces
a company to cut back on its full-time employees,
interns can sometimes fill the gap. The internship is a
short commitment, and doesnt affect the companys
headcount. Also, some industries simply dont have
the funds to function without interns.
Benefits of
Internships
The experience you add to your resume as

the result of a well-chosen internship will give you an
advantage over your peers. Internships are a means
of inside access; they connect you to the networks of
people who influence hiring. Getting an internship is
not a guarantee of a full-time position, but it certainly
increases your chances. And in some industriesfor
instance, finance and accountingcompanies hire
almost exclusively out of internship programs.
> TIP
By the time they graduate from college, many
of your peers have already taken advantage
of internships to develop their careersand
youll be competing against them for jobs.
Skill Building
Even if your internship doesnt result in a job at the
company, it will still help you build marketable skills.
The fieldwork is a chance to hone your communication
skills, learn how to work as part of a team, take ownership of projects, and figure out how to take initiative.
Industry Exposure
The knowledge youll acquire in an internship will
be firsthand. Sure, you can find out about industry
trends, key players, and company performance on the
Internet. But that cant compare to what youll learn
working alongside the pros. Why was Product X introduced? Why did they change the marketing strategy
for Service Y? Of all the competitors a company has,
which is the one that poses the biggest threat? As
an intern, youll gain insights you couldnt possibly
obtain by research alone.
INSIDEr SCOOP
Our internship program is a key tool for identifying

our future consultants.
W E T FEET INSID ER GUID E
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Employers sometimes use interns to test the supervisory skills of management candidates within the
company. Coaching, mentoring, training, and delegating are all interpersonal managerial skills employees
need to develop to gain promotions. Some companies
even ask interns if their supervisors are doing a good
job in training them.
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
Many schools offer academic credit for approved

internships in your area of study. Generally, to receive
credit, you must get prior approval. Check with your
academic advisers about credit requirements. Eligibility
may depend on such factors as the duration of the
internship, the nature of the projects, supervision, and
evaluations.
We like to hire people whove already worked at

the company. Its a matter of try before you buy.
> TIP
While youre gleaning inside information
about the nature of the work, future projects,
and areas of growth, youre also letting your
colleagues see firsthand the quality of your
work and your enthusiasm. The contacts you
make may help you land a permanent position.
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
Why They
Want You
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
Interns perform real work for companies.

They can provide useful extra hands on special projects. Moreover, an internship program can help a company build goodwill in the business and educational
communities. And for corporations, the real value of
internships comes as an extension of the recruiting
process. Internships provide us the best opportunity
to make full-time hiring decisions regarding students,
WET F EET IN S IDER GUIDE
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
Academic Credit
INSIDEr SCOOP
CHAPTER 2
The Search
How many times have you heard, Its who you know?
Your supervisors, coworkers, and fellow interns likely
all have connections to the hidden job market.
Ask thoughtful questions and reveal your interests.
Establish a positive relationship with your supervisor,
and ensure you receive evaluations during and at the
end of your tenure. Even if your ties to the organization dont guarantee a full-time job, they can be a valuable source of recommendations or references for your
next career move.
says one senior marketing director. We get to see how

they perform on the job for 10 to 12 weeks doing real
work. Its the surest way of finding out if theres a good
fit between us and the student.
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
Networking, Mentoring,
and References
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The Search
Types of Internships....................... 6
The Scoop on
Unpaid Internships........................ 7
Sources for Internship Leads.......... 9
Identifying Your
Ideal Internship............................ 10
Internships Abroad.......................11
Timing the Search........................ 13
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CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
CHAPTER 2
The Search
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
Types of
Internships
This guide uses the term internship to cover any

experiential learning opportunity: a position, paid or
unpaid, developed for people who are in a school program (undergraduate or postgraduate), have recently
left college, or who have professional experience but are
aiming to change careers.
Summer Internships
This is the most common type of internship, bringing students on board during their summer vacations.
Some companies may hire interns for a quarter or a
semester during the school year. These positions are
labeled according to the academic period involved, such
as fall intern or winter quarter intern.
Summer Associate Program

If you have an internship in the legal, banking, or
strategy consulting fields, particularly if youre in law
school or getting an MBA, youre likely to have the
title summer associate. These firms, even more than
other employers, look for new full-time associates from
within the ranks of their interns. The title itself is something of a marketing tool used to attract candidates,
implying that summer associate is the step before associate. In some MBA disciplines, you cant get a diploma
without having served as a summer associate between
your first and second years.
In the banking industry, the title summer associate
has supplanted junior associate in corporate publications
and recruiting materials. However, the latter title is still
used in the everyday language of partners and executives.
In law firms, a summer associate is typically a student
between the second and third year of law school.
Cooperative Education (Co-op)

A co-op is an employer-sponsored work program
that generally lasts longer than a summer or a term.
Although internships are usually independent activi-
ties outside the schools purview, corporations will

often design co-ops in partnership with universities and
will be considered part of the educational experience.
Co-ops are usually paid.
Technology employers, such as engineering and
computer/IT companies, are the most likely to have
co-op programs. Career centers for engineering and
computer science are especially familiar with these
programs. Longer-term co-ops generally involve the
student more fully in meaningful projects. Much like
an apprenticeship in many trades, a co-op position can
serve as an employers way of screening and training
future professionals.
> TIP
Develop a solid command of the industry and
the employer to demonstrate your knowledge and your desire to work with your target
companies.
Other Routes to
Experiential Education
Temping
If used shrewdly by a student, temporary agencies can

become a sort of paid internship. General temp agencies typically offer standard office work, but specialized staffing agencies fulfill requests for temporary
and permanent staff in particular fields. A number of
national as well as smaller regional staffing firms include
specialized divisions such as management/consulting,
accounting/finance, legal, technology, and creative/
marketing.
If no specialized staffing agency serves your area, you
can go with a general temp agency and request particular placements, such as with biotech companies or PR
firms. The agency may see you as picky, but try to make
it worth its while by developing an in-demand skill
expertise in website production, as an examplefor
which it has a hard time fulfilling orders.
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The Scoop
on Unpaid
Internships
Working for free may sound like a raw deal.
SELF-MADE INTERNSHIPS
Reality: Internships are a perfect way to test-drive a job
or industry before graduation. Love writing for your

universitys newspaper, but wonder whether a professional newsroom is the place for you? An internship
provides a glimpse of what its like to work in the industry. Whether you end up loving or hating it, what you
learn from the experience will shape your post-college
job search.
Fear: Im going to end up stuffing envelopes and fetching
lattes every day.

Reality: Ultimately, its not the tasks that count; its
whom youre doing them for. Connections are currency.

Even gofer work can create a positive impression on
people who will be in a position to hire you down the
road. By answering calls or running errands for a VP,
youll be meeting the people they meet. Make sure to
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
Michael contacted
Capital Sports &
Entertainment
(CSE), the agency
that represents
Lance Armstrong. He
proposed a number of ideas that
could help the firm
generate revenue.
His enthusiasm and
follow-through led
to a summer internship, and CSE was
so impressed with
his work that it kept
him as a part-time
employee during his
final year in school.
After graduation, CSE
asked him to join the
firm full time.
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
Chris, a student
at the University
of Texas at Austin,
contacted an alumnus who had just
taken a job in Nikes
childrens apparel
division. Chris had
done some research
on this market and
analyzed key
competitors. He
shared his perceptions with the
alumnus, who was
impressed with his
initiative and insight.
The alumnus talked
Chris up with his
colleagues and
helped him land a
summer internship.
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
Fear: Id be better off making money at a regular summer
job.
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
The unfortunate reality is that many internships come

with no paycheck attached, and that may leave you feeling a bit exploited. Volunteering at a nonprofit is one
thing, but being taken advantage of by a moneymaking
enterprise is quite another. Although theres no denying the financial difficulty presented by a summer or
semester of unpaid work, in many cases the internship
will provide a value that goes well beyond dollars and
cents. The experience may be its own reward. So could
the ability to add an elite name to your resume and the
opportunity to rub elbows with industry power players.
Before you talk yourself out of an unpaid internship,
consider the following:
CHAPTER 2
The Search
What if the organization youre targeting doesnt have

an internship program? You can still try to work there
by pitching a project of your own devising. This is an
especially good tactic with smaller companies and startups. Theyre likely to have the flexibility to be open to
your project ideas. Research the company; find ways its
activities dovetail with your own interests and career
goals. Find someone in the department where youd like
to work. Discuss some of your own strengths as a way
of kick-starting ideas. You could find a way of helping
the company while furthering your professional goals.
Some companies do have formal programs at national
or regional headquartersbut that doesnt mean you
cant target a branch office for project work. If these companies try to redirect you to their conventional recruiting pipelines, emphasize you want to create a unique
experience and youd prefer to take less compensation in
return for having more control over your work.
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
Making Your Own Internship
12/7/11 12:34 PM
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
take advantage of your insider statusdont be afraid to

offer to buy a cup of coffee for senior employees.
Fear: Theyll take advantage of my hunger for experience.
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
CHAPTER 2
The Search
Reality: Not if youve done your research beforehand.
Identify the companies you hope to work for, then

research each one. Does a company have a good reputation within the community? Does its website explain
the internship in any detail? Try to contact the person
in charge of the internship program to ask about the
structure of the program and the types of activities
youll do. Visit your schools career services officeit
might be able to help you connect with students or
alums whove interned at the same place. The more
you know about the internship, the better youll be
able to gauge what lies ahead.
Reality: If youre doing an internship for academic

credit, your school will play a role in ensuring your
tasks will meet clear requirements for learning and
enrichment. However, if youre setting up an internship on your own, be sure to ask probing questions in
your interview about the sorts of tasks youll be given,
the projects youll be expected to complete, and whom
youll report to. Find out if youll have the chance to
spearhead an idea of your own and have the ability to
walk away from the experience with a tangible product
that represents your work.
Fear: Theyll stick me in a broom closet and forget
about me.
Reality: In many cases, the reason a company will
engage interns is that theres real work to be done. If you
cant be sure this is the case, lay the groundwork for a
productive internship from the get-go. An educational
plan is a must, because it will set the benchmark for the
skills and enrichment you want to acquire. In addition
to those goals, arrange for weekly feedback sessions with
your manageras little as 20 minutes a week will do.
These sessions will help you gauge where you need to
develop professionally, make sure youre workload is
appropriate, and allow you to seek out new, interesting
projects.
INSIDEr SCOOP
Youre just as responsible for ensuring that the internship is mutually beneficial as the employer is.
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
Fear: Without a paycheck, I wont have anything to show

for the time I spent there.
Find out if youll have the

chance to spearhead an idea
of your own and have the
ability to walk away from
the experience with a tangible
product that represents your
work.
12/7/11 12:34 PM
Personal Resources
Family
More solid opportunities come from contacts made
through family members than any other source.
Friends
Professors
Treat any contact that comes from a professor like gold.
He might have spent years cultivating it.
They have vast usable contacts and opportunities. Keep

in mind, though, its a career centers job to help you get
a position, not to get it for you.
Alumni
The alumni office and its website will usually provide the
means to search for alumni in your targeted industry.
A wealth of internship-related information is available

from the following sources:
Job Fairs
Most have student rates; some let you attend for free in
exchange for one day of volunteering. Also, most conferences have student receptions. Attend them to network with peers and working professionals.
Company Websites
Many students overlook the career section of a companys website in favor of the big job-posting sites.
However, many company sites let you apply online.
Even better, get the name of a recruiter at the company
from your career center and personally follow up on
your online application.
Professional Associations
If theres a career youre interested in, theres a professional, dues-paying association for it. Most have student
rates. Contact the association to learn about internship opportunities. Local chapter meetings may present
opportunities to find out whos hiring.
News
Whos hot and whos not? Keeping up on the news can
give you the inside scoop on why you should call a target company, and it can help you propose a study on
industry trends.
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
These offer opportunities to speak directly with company representatives about current or future opportunities. It helps to have a resume and a focused message
to make the most of the recruiters time. Check out the
WetFeet guide, Conquering the Career Fair, for more
information.
Professional Conferences
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
General Resources
These often list internship programs, with contact

information and descriptive summaries.
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
Career Centers
Trade Publications
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
Use them well, and find out if their families have connections.
Job and career websites and company websites all have

searchable databases. A job-posting site could offer hidden gemsalong with plenty of duds.
CHAPTER 2
The Search
Your friends, family, and school contacts might have

ideas and connections that can help you identify and
land that ideal internship:
Internet
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
Sources for
Internship Leads
12/7/11 12:34 PM
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
CHAPTER 2
The Search
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
Identifying Your
Ideal Internship
There are several options for identifying

and securing internships. Whether youre interviewing
through on-campus recruiting programs or using other
methods, you are ultimately your own headhunter.
Some companies with formal programs may not recruit
on your campus and others may not even have formal programs, but you should still be looking at these
employers. In these cases, the path is similar to the oncampus process, but you must initiate contact.
Dig Deep
You would not buy a car without doing research on
it. Treat an internship the same way. Unfortunately,
theres no Consumer Reports for internships. The
companys website will offer a basic outline with a certain amount of hype; you certainly arent getting an
unbiased opinion.
Some assiduous digging can yield results. You
might get an idea of what to expect from a review on
Glassdoor.com, which provides an inside look at jobs
and companies, or a blog post. LinkedIn is a great
source for background checks, and so is your schools
alumni database. With a little bit of initiative you
can turn these resources into veritable Wikipedias of
information about internships. When you target a
specific company, use the sites search function to find
some recent interns within your network. When you
spot them, send friendly queries about their interning experiences. Did they work on important projects?
Did they receive on-the-job mentoring? What was the
workplace atmosphere like? If the answers are no,
no, and toxic and suffocating, move on to other
employers.
Find a Mentor
A mentor can be an invaluable support in your internship search. Through your personal networkfriends,
family, previous jobsyou should find an experienced
10
person in you chosen field and cultivate the relationship. A mentor, wise to the ways of the world and the
workplace, can help you realize your goals. She will have
ideas about which companies will make good targets for
your internship search. She also can serve as an example
of how success is achieved in your industry, set a benchmark for the skills youll need, and provide insight on
how to avoid the typical pitfalls.
Your Homework Assignment

Research is the single
most important thing
you can do before any
interview. With so
many resources availablethe Internet,
career centers, career
fairstheres no
excuse for being
uninformed. But the
most critical part of
your research will be
contacting people
with experience in
the company and
within the field. Talk

to alumni who have
worked for your prospective employer.
Meet with peers
whove done internships in the same
target functional
area or industry.
Theyll help you pick
up the lingo and give
you a clear, insightful understanding of
the industry and the
company itself.
Self-Assessment
Because internships take many forms, you should ask
yourself some hard questions before beginning your
search.
1. Your objectives:
What industry do you want to work in?
What kind of role do you see yourself filling?
Do you want to work part time or full time?
Do you need to be paid? Do you have a minimum?
Do you want to work in a specific city?
Do you want to work for an organization of a
specific size?
2. Your interests and abilities:
What types of mental challenges do you enjoy?
12/7/11 12:34 PM
Take Inventory
Internships
Abroad
INSIDEr SCOOP
Whether youre in Mumbai or San Juan, it helps to

have people on the ground.
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
By fleshing out your objectives, you should be

able to narrow your search to two or three countries.
Further, consider the feasibility of each: Do you have
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
Your internship search could be a great

opportunity to find work overseas. In fact, work programs are becoming more prevalent as alternatives to
traditional foreign study. From a summer analyst position at a Brazilian investment bank to an environmental
conservation internship with a Bangladeshi nonprofit,
opportunities for interning in a foreign land are attainable.
Be aware that most countries demand work permits
for paid internships and other kinds of short-term
employment; you have to get these in the U.S. before
heading abroad. The process may be easier if youre
working for a U.S. company with overseas offices.
When youre trying to identify internship opportunities

abroad, start by considering your motives. Do you see
this experience as a way to hone specific work-related
skills, or more as a cultural immersion? Consider your
level of comfort with risk. Would you be okay going to
a country where you dont know the language? Are you
willing to work in a third-world country or one where
women dont enjoy equal rights?
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
Even before I applied for the internship in

Bangalore, I got grilled by people in my universitys
co-op office. They wanted to make sure that I could
handle the adversity of India, and the fact that
Id be one of only two or three Americans in the
company.
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
INSIDEr SCOOP
CHAPTER 2
The Search
3. Your personality:
Do you prefer to work alone or on a team?
Can you sit at a desk for hours and remain productive
or do you have to move around to stay energized?
Do you prefer working with a lot of direction and
limited flexibility or are you more comfortable with
open-ended assignments that require you to be a
self-starter?
U.S.-based programs offering international work

exchanges or structured volunteer positions will usually
provide participants with the appropriate papers.
The key prerequisite to gaining an internship
abroad is a willingness to step out of your comfort
zone. Youll be encountering new cultures and new
languages. You may be headed to a place that lacks
the living amenities you take for granted. An overseas
internship can be a real test of your flexibility and
maturity. But the cultural skills you acquire can give
a distinct boost to your career prospects. Companies
are desperately seeking people who have cross-cultural
competency, says Paula Caligiuri, the author of Get a
Life, Not a Job.
The experience wont simply strengthen your
chances of working overseas; it can help you land a job
domestically. Business is a global proposition, which
makes cultural competency a highly valued quality.
In the words of one university career-services office,
College grads who understand that their customers or
their clients might come from a different background
than their own have an important skill set.
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
How well do you communicate in writing and in

person? Get an honest opinion from someone with
good communications skills.
Do you prefer to research and analyze or discover
and create?
11
12/7/11 12:34 PM
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
CHAPTER 2
The Search
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
friends or family living abroad? Do you have background knowledge of a specific country through your
studies? Is there a special skill you can hone only in one
particular country or region?
Use your schools career center to narrow down
your overseas choices. Find out what prerequisites the
internships demand. Are there any applicable grants
or school-sponsored placement programs? Your school
may subscribe to valuable Web-based references such
as Going Global (www.goinglobal.com) or Uniworld
(www.uniworldbp.com), offering comprehensive job
listings and guides to individual countries, along with
lists of top employers and visa regulations.
Dont hesitate to tap into the powerful networking potential of your academic community. Contact
professors who have worked or done research in your
target country. Identify alumni who live there, and
see if the career center can provide names of students
who have recently interned there.
In many cases, the right contact is within reach
but out of sight. For example, theres a good chance
the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has an association
devoted to the economic interests of your target
country. For instance, the American Chamber of
Commerce of Argentina provides job listings and a
place to post your resume or CV. Also, the AmericanArgentine Chamber of Commerce, located in the
U.S., provides similar listings, including committee
members (perfect points of contact) and country
data. Because organizations like these make it their
missions to promote trade and investment, youll find
theyre eager to help.
You might consider using a for-profit placement
program to help you find your overseas internship.
Sure, youll be spending money, but considering
the time youll save in research and arrangements,
the fee may be worth it. Still, find out something
about the outfits reputation before laying down
your hard-earned cash. And make sure its offering
the kind of experience youre aiming fornot a glorified field trip.
12
International Students
If youre a foreign
national studying in
the U.S., your internship possibilities may
be limited. Of course,
you will need the
proper work permits.
(Information on
different types of
educational and work
visas is available at
J-1 Visa Exchange
Visitor Program, a
government website:
http://j1visa.state.
gov/) Be aware that
some employers
have a policy against
sponsoring international students

for permanent work
authorization, so
those employers are
unlikely to hire international students as
interns. If your university arranges co-op
programs, you may
be in luck: Because
co-ops are part of
the curriculum, the
school might handle
the task of obtaining
the necessary papers
for foreign students.
Make it Count
Foreign firms may have a different idea of what the
word intern means than a domestic employer would.
To ensure an enriching experience, you should get
the job description, development plan, and the
employers expectations on paper before you set sail.
INSIDEr SCOOP
When I spent a semester interning in Greece, they

honestly didnt know what to do with me. They
were almost afraid to delegate their work.
If you work for an American firm abroad, youre

more likely to go through a classic internship. Youll
also find yourself on a clearer path to a full-time job
with the company. On the downside, you may get
less experience of the country itself than if you were
working for a foreign firmyoull be more immersed
in corporate culture than local culture. A careerservices pro says, You can live and work in another
12/7/11 12:34 PM
It promises quick
interests to see if
youre a good fit for
the position.
money and lots of

it. If it sounds too
good to be trueit
is.
You get vague
Its a small organi-
zation you cant find

in the Yellow Pages.
The employer advertises its internships on flyers all

over campus.
Its a sales-related
job and the pay
is based on
commission.
The employer
The offices are in
a questionable
location, such as a
warehouse area or a
persons home.
The employer
doesnt ask you

to complete a job
application before
making you an offer.
Your instincts are

telling you to get
out as fast as you
can!
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
doesnt inquire
about your
experience, background, or career
answers to your
questions about the
work youd be doing.
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
Each of these steps takes time. If youre unclear

about your career goals, you might need more time
than if you already know your functional area and target companies. But be sure to begin the process several
months before you hope to start an internship. This
means that the process of finding a summer internship
should begin in the fall for undergraduates; for graduate
students, it usually begins before the school year starts.
Not all internships are created equal. Some

positions that might look like internships
are really just part-time temp jobs available
to almost anyone. They may even be unchallenging busywork that an employer would
rather not assign to staff. You might get paid
at this type of job, but chances are slim youll
rack up good, resume-building experience.
Here are some tips for recognizing shady
internships:
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
Theres no hard-and-fast schedule for the

process of getting an internship, but you should expect
to take the following steps:
1. Decide what kind of internship you want and when
youll be able to start.
2. Learn about existing opportunities.
3. Put together your application package: resume,
cover letter, references.
4. Chart deadlines for internships of interest: application due dates, the start of formal recruiting.
5. Prepare for interviews through research.
6. Do interviews and follow-ups.
7. If your initial plans fall through, cast a wider net.
When to Run the Other Way
CHAPTER 2
The Search
Timing the Search
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
country and still be in a big bubble. But there are

ways to escape this trap. Have lunch outside rather
than in the company cafeteria. Make friends with
your non-American colleagues and invite them out
for drinks after work. Join a local club. The more
local you can get, the better.
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
13
12/7/11 12:34 PM
12/7/11 12:34 PM
Getting Hired
The Recruiting Process................. 16

What Employers Want................. 17
Timeline: Landing
an Internship............................... 18
Getting Your Act Together........... 19
Interviewing 101.......................... 19
12/7/11 12:34 PM
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
The Recruiting
Process
As you aim for that ideal internship, youll be competing with many other highly qualified candidates. Here
are some ways you can improve your odds:
Dont sit around and wait for recruiters to come to you.

Find good contacts at the companypeople with a role
in internship hiring decisionsthrough your alumni
database, through LinkedIn, and through whatever personal contacts youve established. Email them, tell them
about yourself and your qualifications, and explain your
reasons for wanting this internship.
Use Your Best Resource
Make Contact
Career centers are your greatest ally in the recruiting

process. Take advantage of them. Check with your
career center to stay up to date with recruiting events,
sign up for newsletters, and visit its career resource site
regularly.
If you know a recruiter will be coming to campus or

attending a local career fair, initiate contact one week
prior. Perhaps the employer has a Facebook page or
LinkedIn profile. Become a friend or fan, and send
the company a message. Let the recruiter know youre
looking forward to meeting. Make yourself stand out
from the competition by showing a sincere interest in
the company. Dont forget to double-check your spelling. And dont be a Facebook stalker: One message is
enough.
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
CHAPTER 2
The Search
Rules of Engagement
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
Do Legwork
Gather Intelligence
The number-one complaint among recruiters is students
lack of research. When you show up for an interview, you
should have a pretty good idea of the companys products
and operations. Use the news media, Web sources, and
any information your career center can provide.
Be a Good Sport
Stay Focused
If you get a no at any point, take it gracefully. Sending

the representative a thank-you note is a good touch.
You cantand shouldnt want toapply to every

internship you come across. Nor should you try to talk
to every recruiter who shows up on campus. If youre
looking at a list of twenty five companies, choose the
top five. That focus will help you delve into each company and tailor your pitch to the particular opportunity. Otherwise, youll be spreading yourself too thin.
Go into Training
If possible, schedule a mock interview at your schools
career center. Some centers will videotape the interview
so you can review your performance. Get your resume
critiqued and attend interview workshops.
16
On-Campus Recruiting
The classic internship recruiting process, in which
students work with the companies who scout on
campus, follows a general pattern.
1. Youll start by registering with the career office and
completing a profile that includes at least one version of your resume.
2. Youll submit your resume to compete for interview slots. On many campuses, this is known as the
resume drop.
3. If a company has chosen you as a candidate, its representatives will interview on campus.
4. If you make the cut, the next round of interviews
takes place at corporate offices.
12/7/11 12:34 PM
As an organization screens candidates during
Be truthful in all your dealings with the organization.

Dont exaggerate your GPA; dont put false information
on your resume. And dont withhold information youll
have to reveal if you get the internship.
People Skills
Draw on your life experience to demonstrate you
can deal with people effectively and work on a team.
Nobody expects an internship candidate to be able to
draw on a wide range of work experiences. But did you
handle small children effectively as a babysitter? Did
you collaborate on the set design for a school play?
Initiative
Besides the general characteristics detailed above,

recruiters are keeping an eye out for specific skills. In
your resume, in your interaction with recruiters, and of
course during your interview, you should highlight the
following.
Your behavior during the recruiting process is a key to

demonstrate youre motivated. Dont expect the recruiters to hold your hand; show them through your actions
that youre a self-starter. You should provide examples,
from school or previous job experience, where you
volunteered for an important task or proposed a new
project.
Communication Skills
Work Ethic
Offer examples of how your hard work helped you
accomplish a task. Make sure recruiters know about
your nonacademic achievements: Perhaps youre an
accomplished pianist, or a green belt in tae kwon
do. Volunteer work is a great indicator of your work
ethicif youre a Big Brother or Big Sister, dont hide it!
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
Prepare a great cover letter for each employer. (Nothing

will sink your chances faster than a generic cover letter.)
Practice your responses to common interview questions
(Tell me about yourself. Why do you want to work
for us? How do you imagine your career path?).
Make your answers concise and informative.
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
Your skill set
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
These vary from industry to industry. But if youre looking for an internship at an investment bank, you had
better be able to demonstrate your aptitude at financial
analysis. You wont have much of a shot at an IT internship if youve never taken a course in computer technology. And if youre looking for a spot on a magazine, you
better have the clippings to argue for it.
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
Technical Skills
CHAPTER 2
The Search
career fairs and interviews, its looking at three things:

ability, possibility, and fit:
1. Ability is the sum of your past achievements, your
aptitude, and your skills. These are the elements you
can offer an employer right off the bat. Even though
employers will not expect a student to have a huge
amount of work experience, your grades will offer an
index of your ambition and your dedication to hard
work. Needless to say, all of this should be spelled
out on your resume.
2. Possibility is what you might become for the
employeryour potential. Your past projects may
offer a key to this; so may your aspirations and an
air of motivation. Your grades, of course, are also an
indication of what you can offer the company.
3. Fit is suitability, a knack for adapting to and internalizing the company culture. Can you work within
the system?
Integrity
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
What Employers
Want
17
12/7/11 12:34 PM
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
Timeline: Landing
an Internship
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
CHAPTER 2
The Search
You want to start thinking about your internship well in advanceas much as a year ahead. Heres
a rough idea of the various steps youll need to take and
when youll need to take them.
Spring/Summer (The Year Before)

and Fall Semesters
Assess your interests; know your skills; set realistic
job goals; and develop a plan of action.
Attend cover letter and job search workshops offered
by university career services centers.
Prepare your resume.
Check the job listings on your schools career center website, preferably twice a week. New jobs and
internships are listed daily throughout the semester.
Note that companies have various deadlines for
applications.
Attend job fairs and career symposiums to make
employer contacts, conduct informational interviews, and to pick up information about the organization. (Note that interviews may take place at job
fairs, in which case you should contact employers a
week to a month before to submit resumes.)
Research potential employers. Set up informational
interviews for your breaks. You can find potential
sources through your schools alumni database or
LinkedIn.
Start applying for summer opportunities.
Fall Break, Thanksgiving, and Winter Break

Start your networking in earnest. Let your family,
friends, relatives, former teachers and coaches know
youre looking for summer opportunities.
Attend on-campus employer information sessions.
Identify and research local employers while home
during the break.
18
Spring Semester
Review the Fall Semester items listed above, noting that some companies have earlier deadlines for
applications.
Continue to check the job listings on the career
website, preferably twice a week...new jobs and
internships are listed daily throughout the semester.
Apply for summer jobs or internships.
After submitting an application, cover letter and
resume, call the employer to be sure your materials arrived (allow sufficient time for applications to
get to their destinations before calling); ask if the
employer needs any further information from you.
If the employer isnt coming to campus, schedule
an interview over spring break or whenever you can
arrange to meet; most employers will want to meet
with you before offering you a position.
Always send a thank-you letter after each interview.
This is not only a courtesy, its a confirmation of
your sincere interest in the position.
Buzz Killers
Remember, the interviewing process isnt
designed just to find the right candidates;
it also screens out the wrong ones. Here are
some mistakes that can throw you out of the
running:
A resume thats
poorly organized or
doesnt reflect the
skills required for
the position
A generic cover
letter. If it uses
phrases such as
your company or
this position, theyll
smell a rat.
Poor grooming and

sloppy attire
Substandard
written or oral
communication
skills: Bad grammar and misspellings can sink your
chances.
Bad manners
Lack of enthusiasm
Arrogance
Timidity
12/7/11 12:34 PM
Your self-presentation is key to landing
Get feedback from your peers about your conversational style. If you come off sounding cockytone
it down. If you sound halting and unsure of yourself,
work on projecting confidence.
Exude Confidence
To inspire an employers confidence in your abilities, youve got to demonstrate confidence in yourself.
During the nerve-wracking course of a job interview,
this may be easier said than done. But bear in mind the
basics of confident body language: Make frequent eye
contact with your interviewer. Speak up, but not too
fast. Dont fidget. Sit upright, but not rigidly.
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
Approach the interview with confidence. Recognize

the attributes that make you a good candidateand
own them.
This is basic. Enthusiasm alone wont land you the

internship. But if you dont seem avid about the prospect of getting the job, the employer will quickly pass
you overits that simple. And lip service isnt enough.
You may say youre enthusiastic about the prospect of
working for the company, but if you act apathetic or
bored, youre cooked. You should make your enthusiasm clear through attentive posture, an alert tone of
your voice, and a smile that says youre glad to be there.
Greet the interviewer warmly. Make eye contact, smile,
and offer a firm handshake. You should say something
like, Im delighted youre taking the time to meet me,
and Im really excited about this position and eager to
learn more about it. Let him know up front youre
glad to have this opportunity.
A show of enthusiasm is vital. Inevitably, during the
internship itself therell be moments when your energy
flags, and employers know this. But if youre unenthusiastic at the start of the process, it bodes ill for your
future demeanor on the job.
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
Dress for the part. Company employees can give

you a sense of the dress code, but if anything, you
should err on the side of being too formal. The day
before an interview, lay out the clothes you plan to
wearyou dont want to find a missing button on
your shirt minutes before youre about to leave.
Be Enthusiastic
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
Practice, practice, practice. Conduct a mock interview and videotape it if possible. Then review the
tape and make notes about the things you did well
and the areas youd like to improve. College career
centers will usually offer interview workshops, mock
interviews and even video critiques.
juncture when you find yourself face-to-face with an

interviewer. Of course, youll know enough about the
companys culture to dress and conduct yourself like
a member of the firm. Here are some other essential
precepts to bear in mind. (For the specifics of conducting a great interview, consult one of WetFeets Ace Your
Interview guides.)
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
Research the employer. Use newspapers, magazines,

and websites. Contact former and present employees, especially recent interns and graduates, and seek
out information.
Youve made the cut; now is the critical
CHAPTER 2
The Search
an internship. Dont approach the process haphazardly.

Through careful preparation, you can maximize your
appeal as a candidate and get a leg up on the competition. Here are some tips:
Have your resume reviewed and reviewed and
reviewed againthe more eyes, the better. Take
advantage of any relevant workshops offered by your
college career center.
Interviewing 101
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
Getting Your
Act Together
19
12/7/11 12:34 PM
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
CHAPTER 2
The Search
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
Most of all, come prepared to state your strengths.

Give concrete examples of how youve put them to
use. Dont overstate your accomplishments, but dont
downplay them either. Keep self-deprecating humor
to a minimum: It may be fine when youre with your
friends, but this is neither the time nor place for it.
If remaining confident is a struggle for you, give
yourself a pep talk before the interview. Better yet, enlist
an enthusiastic friend to give you one. Or, practice techniques for managing your nerves such as deep breathing
and visualizing success. If youre at ease, the interviewer
will be too.
> TIP
Be aware you may have the opportunity to ask
just two or three questions, so choose wisely.
Know Your Limits

Some people spend the night before an interview boning up on company facts and figures as though cramming for the test of their lives. But interviews arent oral
exams; they are an exchange between two people, who
may soon be coworkers, about shared professional interests. You do need to know something about the industry
and the organization, but youre not expected to know
it alljust enough to ask your interviewer informed
questions, to understand the questions your interviewer
asks, and to give reasonable answers. Your common
sense should prepare you to give sound answers to any
questions that may arise about how you would handle
a specific problem during your internship. The details
will emerge later, when you become part of the team.
Like any other conversation, an interview requires
give and take, so dont expect to dominate it. Give your
interviewer a chance to contribute to the conversation.
Questions and Answers

The old saying, Theres no such thing as a bad question, does not pertain to the interview process. When
you ask the right questions in an interview, it shows
20
youre paying attention and youre truly interested in

the job and the company. But offer questions carefully.
You can kill yourself with a question if it shows a lack
of knowledge about the company, says an internship
hiring supervisor. Dont ask questions you could have
answered yourself by spending a few minutes on the
employers website.
A good question may resemble one of these:
How does this internship fit into the larger
organization?
What are some of the critical challenges in this
department?
What management style can I expect?
Can you describe the performance review process?
But as you research the company, other relevant
questions may spring to mind. If the opportunity presents itself, be sure to ask them.
Rapport is Vital
Once recruiters are done interviewing a round of candidates, the first thing they will ask each other is, What
did you think? Theyll share their gut reactions. A candidate is either a fit or he isnt. Even if youre a leading
contender for the position on paper, your chances of
getting an offer are slim if youve failed to build rapport
with the interviewer.
Theres no foolproof way of turning your interviewer
into an ally. But here are some tactics that can put you
in a good light:
When responding to a question, give a brief overview of the points you want to cover and clear them
with the interviewer. For example: I did a school
projects integrating aspects of finance, marketing
and operations. Would you like to hear the details?
Appropriate humor (in small doses!) is a good thing.
If you arent sure of the meaning of a question, ask
clarifying questions.
Mean what you say. If you seem insincere, itll be an
immediate turnoff.
Make sure you close the interview. Reiterate your
W E T F EET INSID ER GUID E
12/7/11 12:34 PM
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
interest in the position and ask for the interviewers

business card. Give a friendly closing handshake as
well.
> TIP
CHAPTER 2
The Search
When the interview is over, send a thank-you

note within 24 hours. Email is okay; snail
mail is even better. Include thoughtful comments about the session. When relevant,
refer to some personal fact the interviewer
mentioned: Good luck shopping for that new
van, or Howd you do at racquetball?
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
21
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12/7/11 12:34 PM
Navigating
Your Internship
Hitting the Ground Running.......24

Acting Like a Pro.........................25
Making the Most
of Your Internship....................... 27
Timeline: Your Internship............29
12/7/11 12:34 PM
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
Hitting the
Ground Running
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
CHAPTER 2
The Search
Your internship is a short-term proposition.

Most likely, the summer will be over before you even
know it. Thats why you have to make every day count.
The process should start even before you show up
at the office. Heres where the research you did to prepare for the interview really pays off. Your contact with
insiders will have started you on the road toward understanding how the company and the industry work. Each
industry has its own lingo; by now you should have
started picking some of this up. You should know the
technical jargon youll need in your new job, any recent
developments in the company, and the names and functions of the companys top brass. Your new colleagues
will see this as an encouraging sign of your interest.
> TIP
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
If at all possible, before you begin your internship, speak with the professionals whose
team youll be joining. Ask about their careers
and professional interests, ongoing projects,
and challenges. Also ask for advice. The knowledge will be usefuland so will the rapport
youve started to build.
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
Before You Start

Your search is over once youve accepted the internshipbut your work has just begun. Find out to
whom you will be reporting. Contact that person well
before you show up at work. Find out what projects
she has in mind for you. If the answer is vague, try to
elicit details as politely and diplomatically as you can.
Explain that you put a high priority on doing good
work and you need to prepare as thoroughly as possible. You also can request being assigned to a particular area or particular type of project. But dont appear
too demanding because these conversations with your
boss will set the tone of future dialogue. Youll also get a
sense of your bosss managerial stylewhether detached
24
and formal, or laid-back and approachable. It helps to

know what lies ahead.
Say youre entering a marketing internship. You may
prefer to gain exposure to pricing and promotional
strategies for existing offerings on the one hand, or
to the researching, planning, and structuring of new
offerings on the other. Discuss your preferences with
the appropriate people before you start. The discussion
may help you shape the internship to suit your personal
career goals.
You may have certain amount of flexibility in determining the scheduling of your internship. For instance,
in the interest of accommodating different school
schedules, the employer will often give you a choice of
start date. Consider this carefully. You may have hoped
for a nice vacation after exams. But this can throw your
internship off course. Ideally, youll start at the same
time as, or even before, the other interns. If you show
up after everyone else has started, youll have to catch
up. Youll miss orientation sessions, possibly even the
chance to work on choice projects.
If youre planning to take a vacation later in the
summer, get a sense of how much wiggle room you
have. Some employers will not even consider you for
the job unless they are sure to get a summerlong commitment from you. Others may grant the permission
but resent the time you take away from your internship. Theyve committed time and resources to making your internship productive and they want to get
maximum benefit out of it
INSIDEr SCOOP
So many people think an internship is all about

the final projectthe great climax at the end of
your three months. I think its so much more about
the first two weeks. Thats when you establish
yourself with your team. Based on your first
impression, people are going to decide whether to
take the time to support you in your internship.
Assistant Brand Manager
12/7/11 12:34 PM
Acting Like a Pro
Remember, your internship is basically a
Never think of yourself as a temp. Dont blow off an

assignment just because you think you wont finish
before your summer stint ends. If you have any interest
in getting hired full time, act like youre in the game for
the long haul.
Swallow Your Pride

Youre a hot shot at a top university. But one uninformed jerk has the audacity to ask you to send a fax.
Dont say thats not in my job descriptionbecause
now it is. No matter how menial the task, show how
professional you can be. Photocopying and filing may
not be glamorous chores, but theyre essential ones. And
if you do a sloppy job copying a stack of documents,
who will trust you with bigger assignments?
Be Stalwart
Show yourself as somebody your colleagues can lean on.
Go out of your way to help others. Stay late and offer
assistance when others at the company are overloaded
with work. Remember, its never too early to act like
youre already an indispensable part of the team.
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
It sounds simple, but punctuality speaks volumes about

your professionalism.
Act Like a Full-Timer
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
Be on Time
No need to point out your every accomplishment.

Rest assured your managers are watching; they know
about it already. A soft sell is the best tactic for proving your worth to the company. Dont aggressively
tout your abilities and accomplishments to your manager; let her discover them for herself. And that trick
of shooting off an email to her when working into the
wee hours? Oldest one in the book. Dont use it more
than twice.
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
long-term interview. That means you need to show the

company youd be a worthwhile candidate for a fulltime position. If your supervisors want you to develop
certain skills and areas of expertise, apply yourself diligently to the task. And at all times remain professional
in your demeanor and your approach to the job.
Intern supervisors check in with me frequently
during the summer as to whos standing out, says a
motion picture company executive. If a supervisor
mentions an intern is reliable, honest, driven, humble,
enthusiastic, and intelligent, thats a huge plus for me.
When I remember an intern and have heard numerous
positive comments like that, thats someone I keep my
eye on.
Here are some key ways you can present yourself as a
worthy member of the team:
Be Modest
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
The reporting manager who oversees interns

treats them like regular employees. Were looking
to see how much direction they need, their
initiative, and quality of their work. We check on
their progress throughout the summer. Our goal
is to be able to make a hiring decision before they
depart.
No one wants to work with a grouch. If you maintain a

positive, can-do attitude during your internship, youll
show yourself as someone who coworkers will want to
see againin a full-time position.
CHAPTER 2
The Search
INSIDEr SCOOP
Stay Positive
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
Your employer will usually make sure you have

all the proper resources when you show up for your
internship: a workstation, a company email address,
voicemail. But these details can sometimes fall between
the cracks. Dont be afraid to sort out in advance; it will
save valuable time during that precious first week.
WET F EET IN S IDER GUIDE 25
12/7/11 12:34 PM
CHAPTER 2
The Search
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
Master the Territory
Interning Kryptonite
Delve as deep as time allows into the company and the

industry. Look for relevant information in the news and
in trade magazines.
Because interns are usually new to the corporate world,

theyre sometimes prone to make mistakes a seasoned professional would avoid. Some bad moves can
destroy your chances faster than kryptonite can disable
Superman. Heres a list of 11 ways to obliterate your job
prospects with a single blunder:
INSIDEr SCOOP
The three most important attributes in getting or

keeping a job are attitude, attitude, attitude.
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
Ask Questions
You might have a 3.9 GPA, but you still dont know
it alland, guess what? You arent expected to. Most
managers would rather answer your questions when
you get the assignment than have to fill in the gaps after
you turn it in. If you dont understand how to go about
an assignment, ask your supervisor for clarification.
Find out what resources are available to you. But use
your discretion; figure out the right people to question
and the right time for doing it. Dont corner a senior
vice president at a cocktail party and start asking about
the specifics of workflow.
Dont Be Afraid to Socialize

Sure, youll run into annoying brownnosers who spend
more time schmoozing the higher-ups than working.
Even more galling, the tactic can sometimes work. The
lesson? Although getting the job done is of paramount
importance, dont underestimate the importance of
building important social connections.
Speak Up
Its fairly safe to assume the employer knows about
your hope for a full-time job offer. But dont take it for
granted. If youve decided you want to come back after
graduation, let everyone knowyour boss, your colleagues, and the support staffers who often have the ear
of the big guns.
26
Interning Under the Influence

You have a right to a social life. As long as youre of
drinking age, youre free to head to a bar with your
coworkers for some happy hour cheer. But wherever
alcohol and work mix, proceed with caution. Know
your drinking limits and stay well within them. Loud,
lewd behavior will nix your chances at the company.
Loose Lips
Your more experienced colleagues may like to dish the
dirt. But its best to turn a deaf ear to gossip. Youre new
on the scene and cant afford to get caught up in the
crossfire of office politics.
Dream-Weaving
As bad as it is to get caught nodding off in class, its
even worse on the job. Doodling or daydreaming during meetings will attract negative attention right off the
bat. If you have to be brought back to reality during
meetings, theres no way youll be brought back.
False Friends
It might sound
harsh, it might sound
Machiavellian, but
the astute intern
never befriends the
first people to seek
him out. Theres a
high probability
theyre in need of
instant allies.
Stay cordial and

professional, but
not chummy. If you
find yourself the
lunch pal of a guy
who is known for
badmouthing the
brass, you become
guilty by association.
12/7/11 12:34 PM
Axes to Grind
Impolitic
Fashion Sense
Digital Distractions
Making the Most

of Your Internship
An internship presents a great opportunity

for learning and career advancement. Its your responsibility to maximize it. Learn your way around the
organization and familiarize yourself with day-to-day
operations. Master the companys communications
systems and any software programs youll need to
do your job. You want to integrate yourself into the
offices operations as quickly and thoroughly as possible. When you need help with a task, ask the seasoned
staffers. Theyll appreciate your efforts to become a
member of the team.
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
You may be used to treating your iPhone or BlackBerry

as an appendage. But while youre on the job, use it only
to get your work done. When your supervisor is hovering over your desk, its not the time to send texts to your
girlfriend. And those iPhone games? You can play them
when you get home.
Going AWOL
Chronic lateness or absence is a certain job-prospect
killer. If an unavoidable conflict arises, let your supervisor
know. Its best to pick up the phone and ask; if its a sticky
situation, he may see an email or a voicemail message as
a weasel tactic. And if you call in sick, make sure he cant
hear the flight announcements in the background.
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
If the other women are wearing closed-toe heels every

day, leave the wedge sandals in the closet. And even
if you see your supervisors taking business casual to
new levels, dont break out the muscle shirts. In business dress, it always makes sense to err on the side of
caution.
Unfunny Business
Its okay to leave before other colleagues. But as you
stroll out the door, never cheerily say, Dont work too
hardor youll be branded as the kind of person who
says things like that.
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
Religion, politics and sex are not safe subjects for the
workplace. Yes, as you develop personal ties with colleagues, these issues may come up. But in any group setting, these topics should stay off the table. Oh, and that
risqu email you got from your reprobate uncle? Keep
it to yourself.
The mens washroom? Not a good place to engage your

boss in work chatter. Be assured he wants to finish his
business in there before attending to the business outside.
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
Dont complainnot about the company, not about

your assignments, not about the cafeteria food. A positive outlook could make or break you in managements
eyes.
Space Invasions
CHAPTER 2
The Search
An intern was told to alphabetize a bunch of files,

and he thought it was the easiest thing. He was
text messaging the whole time and ended up putting five or six things in the wrong order. He ended
up getting fired. Even if its small, you may be doing
more important things than you think. And many
times other peoples jobs are dependent on the jobs
the intern does.
Too Much Information

Yes, you should let your supervisor know what youre up
to. But she doesnt need minute-to-minute updates. If
youre running out for a cup of coffee, theres no need to
interrupt her activities to announce it.
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
INSIDEr SCOOP
27
12/7/11 12:34 PM
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
CHAPTER 2
The Search
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
Dont stop at questions. Talk to everyone you can.

Be sensitive to peoples availabilitythese are busy
professionals and they may have more important
things to do than chat. But you should be making
as many connections as you can with colleagues and
supervisors; your internship is a prime networking
opportunity.
The role you play in your new team is crucial
in your effort to make the internship worthwhile.
Understand how your skills and background can
support the team, says an internship supervisor with
a major consulting firm. Look at what other people
are doing on projects, and figure out how you can
contribute.
INSIDEr SCOOP
There are definitely times you feel undervalued

and unappreciated as an intern, and youre going to
be upset and youre going to be stuck doing crappy
things, but its all part of the experience. At the end
of the day, everybody starts somewhere.
Its up to you to get the full value of your internship. If you find you arent doing the work you
expected to do, let your supervisor know. Be diplomatic and dont whine. You cant indicate youre
bored with your present project but you may be able
to get reassigned to more suitable work.
At some point in the processusually halfway
through, then again at the endyou will probably go
through an evaluation process. This is a great opportunity for personal growth. Listen carefully and with
an open mind. Dont be defensive. If they tell you
about areas where your skills and work habits can be
improved, take heedthese people know what theyre
talking about. But theyre also likely to discuss your
strengths, which are useful to bear in mind when
youre pitching your services in your next job hunt.
The evaluation process is a two-way street: While
the company is sizing you up, youll be figuring out if
28
you like the work and the work environment. Have

you found the qualities that attracted you to the
employer in the first place? Is the company a good fit
for your style, your values, and your goals? Before you
proceed forward to a full-time job, be sure you have
found a comfortable fit.
Signing Out
Your exit interview may serve two purposes. It will
probably be your last chance to get a personal evaluation. But the company team also will probably elicit
your feedback about your experience. The information will help the team as it plans future internships.
Be open and honest, but focus on the positive. By no
means should you turn this into a gripe session. Make
constructive suggestions, and dont burn any bridges.
When the summer is over, you might be inclined
to submerge yourself into the current business of
your lifeespecially if youre cramming to fulfill
your school requirements. But you shouldnt let go
of the connections you made during your internship.
If you havent already done so, send thank-you notes
immediately to the key people on your team. In the
months ahead, keep in touch. Dont be a pest about
it, but periodically update them about your activities. Send them articles you think might be of interest. Nurturing this network can give you an inside
track on job opportunities within the company.
Use LinkedIn aggressively. Add your new contacts, and get a supervisor to recommend you there.
Follow up with your fellow interns, check on their
plans, and maintain the conversations you started
about your ideal job.
> TIP
If your employer doesnt have events planned
for yourself and your fellow interns, take the
initiative yourself and suggest some afterwork get-togethers. These can be great networking opportunitiesyour peers may hold
the keys to future career opportunities.
12/7/11 12:34 PM
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
Timeline:
Your Internship
The first couple of weeks are the time to get to know

your workplace. Following are some areas that deserve
special attention.
The ties you establish with your colleagues and your

comprehension of their place in the corporate structure are keys to your success during the summer. The
following steps will help you map out the jobs human
landscape:
Familiarize yourself with the companys organizational structure. Find out how your team fits into
the department and how the department fits into
the division. Who are the key stakeholders in the
work you do?
Learn who depends on your group for information
or resources, and who the group itself depends on.
Remember, youre a link in the chain.
Lesson: Master the

phone system on day
one.
I accidentally CCed
my office on an email
chain circulating
within my extremely
conservative family.
After that, whenever
theyd send out an
email blast railing
about left-wing government conspiracies, theyd hit reply
alland include my
entire office! Yikes!
Lesson: Dont use
your work email for
personal messages.
We had completed
a big project, so our
department went on
a celebratory lunch
cruise. Everyone got
a drink ticket for
one free drink. Since
there were interns
under 21, I decided to
ask one of them for
their ticket. She was
talking to somebody
I didnt know, who
turned out to be a
department head! It
made me look like a
lush.
Lesson: Keep it
classy when boozing
at work events.
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
Lesson: Dress professionally when youre

on the clock.
While working at
the front desk as a
law-firm intern, I accidentally pushed the
alarm button. Oops.
The police called
back to see if they
were neededbut
I accidentally hung
up on them. Double
oops! Minutes later,
they called back and
demanded I exit the
building. I walked
outside and found
myself surrounded by
cops with their weapons drawn.
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
I was interning at a
magazine, and was
assigned to accompany a reporter covering a premiere at the
Metropolitan Opera
House. Since Id be
standing on the sidelines, I didnt dress
up. The reporter
ended up having an
extra ($15,000) ticket
to the show, so he
took me. And I was
wearing flip-flops!
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
Lessons from the Frontline: Interning Dos and Donts
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
Weeks 1 and 2:
Learning the Ropes
People
CHAPTER 2
The Search
As you contemplate the summer ahead, it

may seem you have all the time in the world. Well,
you dont. Your internship is more likely to fly by,
reaching its endpoint before you even know it. Thats
why its best to plot your route in advance, making
sure you progress toward your goals as the internship runs its all-too-short course. (Internships generally run 10 to 12 weeks; weve decided to outline an
11-week stint.)
12/7/11 12:34 PM
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
CHAPTER 2
The Search
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
Find out who does what within your group. Learn

the role of each member. This knowledge helps
especially when youre looking for informationit
allows you to target questions to the right person.
Learn which group or department members have
forged careers along the lines you envision for yourself. Ask them to share their stories and advice. A
career-molding insight might be a friendly question
away.
Make administrative staffers your allies. Receptionists, mail handlers, assistants, and secretaries, IT
people, the HR teamall of them can help you
navigate the companys systems and gain access
to resources. And the way you treat them is a sure
reflection of your professionalism.
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
Work Tools
Learn the core methods and tools your group uses, and
the terms applied to those processes. The quicker you
master them, the sooner youll be an effective group
member.
Do your colleagues use a specific type of software,
planning tool, protocol, or group dynamic process?
Your job is to get up to speed on them quickly.
Find out where past work is stored and how to access
it. Youll likely have some downtime during your
first week. Use that time to study the types of deliverables the group has recently produced.
Take note of which communication and collaboration tools the group favors. Does it use meeting
management software such as Outlook? A real-time
instant messaging tool such as Skype? Is there anyone on the road who uses only a cell phone to check
email? Better not attach that 10 Mb document if
you arent sure.
30
Weeks 3 and 4:
Making Connections
Youre starting to feel more comfortable. Youve been
making good progress in your projects; youre getting
familiar with the companys tools and jargon. Even
more important, youre getting to know your coworkers inside and outside your group. These people can
help you reach your goals. Heres how you can use this
period to make those connections mean something:
Find a Mentor
Seek a senior colleague who can provide advice and give
feedback about your work habits and accomplishments.
Although some companies have formal mentorship
programs, this person will not necessarily just drop in
your lap. Use your networking skills. Look within your
area and outside of it to find someone you can trust and
admire. That person could become your championa
key ally in your quest for a full-time job.
Network Within
Make a list of key people, in your group and outside of
it, who can help you reach your goals. Contact them to
discuss their roles and their challenges. Youll develop a
deeper understanding of the work at the company and a
better sense of whether you want to work there.
Dear Diary
One tool that can
truly enhance your
internship experience is a work diary,
recording your
activities and accomplishments and
evaluating your daily
experiences. Aside
from helping focus
on your goals for the
internship, it will
provide raw material you can present

when youre evaluated toward the end
of the process. If your
school requires you
to write a summary
of your internship
experience, the diary
will be your main
source.
12/7/11 12:34 PM
When a colleague or mentor mentions people he works

with, inside or outside the company, ask if it would
be okay to contact them and mention his name. Use
these secondary contacts for information gathering and
industry perspectives. Find out what theyre working
oneven the projects theyve got on hold. This information could soon prove invaluable.
What Piques Your Interest
Weeks 58: Building Bridges
Get Reviewed
Go To Lunch
The Pitfalls of Meetings

Youre a smart,
energetic person,
and you want to
shine before your
colleagues. But your
first meetings
daily team updates,
group program
reports, brainstorming sessions, project
reviews, departmental-planning
conclavesare not
occasions for strutting your stuff. If
youre too aggressive
about making your
presence known, you
run the risk of seeming like an arrogant

pup. Minimize the
danger by asking
your supervisor or
a trusted colleague
how much youre
supposed to participatethen err on the
side of caution. The
time to express your
viewpoint may come
after the meeting,
but use discretion
even then. Still, if
youre asked to contribute an opinion, by
all means speak up.
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
As you start becoming friendly with the companys fulltimers, ask them out for one-on-one lunches. In most
cases theyll be flattered by your interest and glad to
share their expertise. Ask them about their career histories and the ways they got their positions. These conversations can deliver insight about company workings and
invaluable career advice.
You may have decided you dont want to return to the

company. Dont broadcast the fact; try to snag an offer
anyway. Other employers will want to know whether
your internship resulted in an offer. It will increase your
perceived value in the job market.
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
If a midsummer review was part of your internships

agenda, make sure it takes place. When you talk to your
supervisor, dont be afraid to mention the ways youve
contributed to the team. But also talk about the ways
you can improve. Get as much feedback as you can to
help you improve your work style and help you adapt to
the corporate culture.
Snag an Offer
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
By now, youre running at full steam. Your duties have

been defined and you know your role within your various projects. Now is the time for using the relationships
youve established to build bridges for your career.
You should have started to get an idea of whether youre

interested in full-time work with the company. If so, ask
your supervisor, along with the recruiting and HR team,
about your prospects. Ask, What can I do to ensure
that Im a strong candidate for a full-time position?
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
You may identify a more interesting project than the

one youre working on. If you want to move on, establish a plan with your supervisor for completing your
current work before moving on. Whatever you do, dont
indicate youre bored with your present assignment.
Scout Your Prospects
CHAPTER 2
The Search
Expand Your Network
If youre not doing the work you were expecting to do,

it should be clear by now. Speak up and let your supervisor know. Make suggestions of how your internship
can come closer to your expectations. You might find
out the plans the two of you discussed during your first
two weeks will come to fruition later, and your patience
will be rewarded. Perhaps the groups business needs
changed and your expertise is needed for some other
vital project. Whatever the case, be diplomatic.
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
Meeting Expectations
31
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CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
CHAPTER 2
The Search
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
Weeks 9 and 10:

Sharpening Your Focus
As you wrap up your project deliverables, youll face
a blizzard of final meetings and last-minute changes.
But its still important to maintain a clear focus on
your objectives. Keep the conversations going with the
people who make the hiring decisions. Try and create a
situation in which you can step right into a great job.
If it looks like the perfect job wont be waiting for
you, its time to take the reins into your own hands.
Envision your ideal rolewithin the company or outside of itand diplomatically share your thoughts with
your contacts. If the role doesnt exist, find out which
key stakeholders can help you create it and start the
conversation rolling. Let your supervisor know about
these interactions, because youll need her support.
Great opportunities can come your way if youre vocal
about what you want.
Give Thanks
Leave personalized thank-you notes, emails and/or
voicemail messages for the people who helped you during the summer. Include the senior executives who may
have offered support, and the tech-support people and
administrative assistants whove helped you master the
workplaces logistics.
Returning Full Time

If youve made a great impression during your
tenure, you may find yourself in the enviable position of receiving an offer for full-time
employment. Employers will usually provide you
with some timeeither weeks or monthsto consider the offer.
Final Week: Seal the Deal

With the end in sight, develop a short list of tasks that
will help ensure your internship ends with a bang.
Finish Strong
Make sure your final performance review takes place.
Ask your supervisor to share your performance review
(its stellar, right?) with the decision makers who might
be able to deliver your dream job.
Show Off
If you have a final presentation, find out if you can
invite people outside the groupthe key contacts
whove aided you in your work and might be vital players in your full-time position. If you cant invite them,
ask if you can conduct a separate presentation for them,
or at least send them a summary of your work.
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CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
CHAPTER 2
The Search
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
12/7/11 12:34 PM
33
12/7/11 12:34 PM
Real Intern
Profiles
Architecture Intern.......................36
Magazine Editorial Intern............36
MBA Intern with a Startup
Software Company....................... 37
MBA Brand
Management Intern.....................38
Advertising Intern........................39
IT Intern..................................... 40
Intern for a Consumer
Appliance Manufacturer.............. 40
> We sought out interns from various

industries and asked them to share
their internship success stories. From
advertising to IT, heres a glimpse into
the intern experience.
12/7/11 12:34 PM
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
CHAPTER 2
The Search
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
Architecture
Intern
Magazine
Editorial Intern
Where did you serve your internship?
What are you doing in your internship?
At an architecture and design firm in Santa Fe, New

Mexico.
My main duty is to send out six weekly e-newsletters to

our subscribers. Each days newsletter is a bit different,
but my main functions include formatting HTML text,
finding photos, copyediting text, and using a web program to deliver the newsletters.
What role did you perform?

I spent a lot of time doing the schematic design for the
renovation a 300,000-foot historic hotel in the center
of town. I also worked on government projects and
residential projects, as well as a new museum for the
Navajo Code Talkers.
What drew you to this particular

opportunity?
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
This is my first formal internship. I did a few short restaurant reviews for a web-based food site, where I was
able to get a few clips. I also waitressed.
How did you get your internship?
I wanted to work with a diverse set of clients, different from

what youd find in a typical urban setting. Also, although I
go to school in the East, my college teaches about different
architectural styles in different parts of the country.
I applied through my career centers online database

of internships. I submitted my resume through there,
along with a few of my writing samples, and soon heard
that I got an interview.
What did you learn in the course

of the internship?
What are your career aspirations?
I learned a lot about architectural codes, construction types, accessibility issues, and other areas I need
to know in order to prepare for the architectural exam.
What surprised you most about

this experience?
The biggest surprise was that I was trusted with big
responsibilitiesdoing presentations to clients, meeting
with contractors and owners. I hadnt anticipated that Id
be doing anything better than getting coffee. It was good
to know they trusted me enough to do these things.
Might you be interested in full-time work

with the company?
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
What did you do before?
Ive still got one more internship to go before I graduate,

so I want to get more experience and keep my options
open. But I would definitely be interested in going back
after college.
36
Im not sure what Id like to do with writing, but food

and design are my passions. Id like to write a book;
Id like to go back to graduate school; Id love to write
about food. Because of that, I sought out the food editor here at the magazine and told her about my interest
in writing a food piece. A month later, I was published
in the October brunch issue!
What kinds of people do well in internships?

As I see it, you can do okaysimply do whats in your
job description so you can slap the internship on your
resumeor you can go above and beyond. People who
are self-starters and have a thirst for knowledge and
experience will excel. If something sparks your curiosity, do something about it. Being confident helps. So
does being nice!
12/7/11 12:34 PM
What do you dislike?
Be a self-starter; be confident, flexible, and able to deal

with ambiguity; and have strong communication skills.
What do you really like about your

internship?
I enjoy how quickly and directly I can see the results of
my work.

The pace of change! Targets in this industry shift
quickly. It makes it hard to focus on a few key goals.
How can someone get an internship

like yours?
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
MBA Intern
with a
Software
Startup
What kinds of people do well in

internships?
Start knocking on the right doors until you get in.
What do you do in your internship?

Im the business development manager for a venturebacked software company. I work on creating partnerships with other businesses and on marketing to end
users.
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles

I had a lot of entrepreneurial experience. I started an
Internet marketing company and my own software firm.
Before that, I was an associate in a venture capital firm.
Now Im in business school, working toward my MBA.
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference

They found me. The company was looking for a business development intern to work with them during the
semester. Specifically, they were looking for someone
with my kind of experience.
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
The monotony. The vast majority of work I do every

day is something that I more or less did the day before. I
once thought, even if they paid me to do this full time,
I wouldnt take it. I guess thats why they give it to an
internno full-timer would do this day in and day out.
I want to develop more venture-backed companies

from seed to harvest. Eventually, I hope to move back
into venture capital.
CHAPTER 2
The Search
I like that I get the experience of working at a top-notch

local magazine without the pressure that Id be under in
a full-time job here. Its a test run. I get to see what their
processes are like, and someday Ill probably apply some
in a full-time job. I also like that Ill have this name,
kind of like a brand, on my resume, and some good
clips to add to my portfolio.
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture

internship?
37
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CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
MBA Brand
Management
Intern
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
CHAPTER 2
The Search
What did you do as an intern?

I was an associate brand management intern at a big
consumer packaged goods company. I worked under
the general manager who handled a variety of projects and managed a cross-functional team. I worked
on new products, from concept to launch. I worked
with agencies on advertising and communication campaigns. I worked on finding ways to improve our product quality and margins, and coordinated with global
teams to keep our strategy aligned around the world.
aging a large team of cross-functional partners. From

business school Ive brought the leadership and negotiations skills required to ensure Im getting the best work
from my team and that were meeting all of our deadlines and milestones. Additionally, I have to be able to
pull myself out of the details and think about my brand
strategically: How do my projects fit in the bigger picture? What is the long term vision for my brand?
What did you really like about

your internship?
I worked as a management consultant and as a project

manager in the strategy group of a music company.
I liked that I got to use my creative, strategic, and analytic skills every day. There are so many different elements to the job and every day is different so I feel like
Im always learning and developing. The internship
prepared me for that. I also loved my fellow interns and
the brand managers we worked with. Now that Im here
full time, Ive got a great group of close friends whom I
worked with as an intern.
How did you get the internship?
What did you dislike?
Through on-campus recruiting at my business

school. I met representatives from the company, had
informational interviews with them and realized the
company would be a good fit for me. Investing the
time in getting to know the company and building
relationships kept me top-of-mind when it came
time to select candidates to interview.
Working at a big, public company comes with its fair

share of politics and bureaucracy. The training was
great, but sometimes I wished we could be more nimble
and take more risks without getting bogged down in
processes.
That brand management is not solely marketing. Its

more general management with a healthy dose of marketing and strategy.
The internship led to a full-time job, so right now Im

getting a great education in marketing from a worldclass marketing company. Eventually, Id like to either
start my own company or work for a smaller company
where I can apply the skills Im developing in brand
management.

this industry?
People who are self-motivated leaders. As a brand manager, Im managing several projects at once and man-
38
Whats one thing you learned in your

internship?

like yours?
Network with industry professionals and learn about
the various companies and their cultures. Study marketing and show a genuine interest in products and the
consumer insights behind every decision the company
made to getting that product to market. From the packaging to the advertisement, the consumer is at the cen-
12/7/11 12:34 PM

internship?
How did the internship prepare you for

your current role as a brand manager?
The people. Theyre very supportive of each other and

work well together. Also, I have a great deal of client
interaction, and they arent afraid to allow me to take on
real projects. Thats great exposure.

Im a part of the account services team at a big advertising agency, working on the account for a Fortune 500
automobile manufacturer.
College. This is my first real job.
Looking back on your job search, what do

you wish you had done differently?
Kept in closer contact with some of the other people I
worked with.
How can someone get a job like yours?

If youre interested in the advertising industry, make as
many contacts as possible, even if it means cold-calling
executives and setting up informational interviews. The
industry is all about whom you know. Contacts from
the past can be very useful in the future.

Through networking. A friend of my fathers knows the
general manager of the agency.
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
The toughest thing about the job is the strict emphasis

on deadlines. They cannot be pushed back under any
circumstances. It means a lot of late hours.
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
Advertising
Intern
CHAPTER 2
The Search
Not only was I able to see that my internship company

was one where I then wanted to work full time, but I
was exposed to best practices that I now employ. It also
solidified the fact that Im passionate about brand management and allowed me to begin forming strong contacts in the company.
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
ter of CPG; incorporating that perspective in interviews

can be helpful.

CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
At this point, Im not sure.

internships?
People who communicate well with others, who are
willing to learn by doing, and are comfortable taking
responsibility for a project with minimal supervision.
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
12/7/11 12:34 PM
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
CHAPTER 2
The Search
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
IT Intern
What did you do at your internship?
I was an IT leadership program intern with a global
Fortune 100 company. My primary focus was on
enhancing the user interface for a field-service Web
application that was used for monitoring corrosion levels inside of pipes in nuclear facilities.
Before your internship, what was

your experience?
Various summer jobs, including primary technician and
business manager for a local computer repair shop, as
well as year-round jobs with the IT department at my
university.
What did you like most about

your internship?
I was given business-critical projects to run. I had the
flexibility to tackle the challenges in my own way, but
I also had guidance from my manager and other mentors at the company. This gave me exposure to the companys upper management, helping me fast-track my
career. Within the first month of my senior year, I got
an offer with a full-time position with the company.
That took a tremendous amount of pressure off of what
could have been a stressful year of job hunting.
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
Anything you disliked?

Looking back, there was very little not to like. It was an
environment where, if there were any frustrations, they
were addressed quickly and turned around.

like yours?
What did you learn from the job?

I learned that success is defined by far more ways than
just getting an Ait isnt the approval of others that
makes you successful. Everybody has to define their
own version of success, then use their ambition, creativity and thirst for knowledge to get there. Plus, learning
how to measure the corrosion levels within metal pipes
without having to look inside them was pretty cool, too.
Intern for
a Consumer
Appliance
Manufacturer
I work in the marketing communications department.

I worked for five years in an advertising agency as an
account planner and supervisor before going back to
B-school for an MBA.

Through on-campus career services.

I want to start my own creative hot shop or PR agency
about six years down the road.
Who does well in this kind of internship?

People who are articulate, creative and have good people skills.
Attend your university career fairs, become very tight

with your schools career development center, and speak
with past alumni in similar degrees that have taken a
path that you desireto learn how they did it.
40
12/7/11 12:34 PM
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
What do you really like about

your internship?
CHAPTER 2
The Search
That I learn something new every day. Im surrounded

with people who have tons of experience and are willing to share it with me. They also let me take initiative
and try new things. And the job itself allows a lot of
room for creative expression.

The hours can be very long. And the pays not as sweet
as consulting or investment banking.
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
Looking back on your career or job

search, what do you wish you had done
differently?
I probably should not have spent so much time in one
industry. I could have come back to school quicker, in,
say, three years rather than five.
How can someone get a job like yours?

CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
Get an internship with an agency. It most likely will be

unpaid, but thats the best way to get your foot in the
door. Youll get exposure not just to the agency, but to
its clients.
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
41
12/7/11 12:34 PM
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For Your
Reference
Recommended Resources.............44
12/7/11 12:34 PM
chapter 1
INTERNShIpS:
ThE BIG pIcTURE
recOmmended
resOurces
chapter 5
REal INTERN
pRoFIlES
chapter 4
NavIGaTING
YoUR INTERNShIp
chapter 3
GETTING hIRED
chapter 2
ThE SEaRch
the resources listed here are a small sampling of the information available to help you land an
internship.
onlinE rESourcES
Wetfeets internshipprograms.com (www.internshipprograms.com): Find internship postings by
location, industry, or keyword.
JobWeb (www.jobweb.com): Hosted by the
National Association of Colleges and Employers,
this useful website provides resources and statistics
on co-ops and internships.
collegegrad.com (www.collegegrad.com): This
extensive site has postings for internships and fulltime positions.
internships-usA (www.internships-usa.com): This
website lists thousands of internships in the U.S.
with hundreds of employers and organizations.
internJobs.com (www.internjobs.com): Global
database of internships and entry-level positions for
students, recent graduates, and career changers.
internWeb.com (www.internweb.com): Database
searchable by internship type, employer type, and
state.
monster college (college.monster.com/education)
The leading job-posting board offers a section tailored to college students.
internships.com (www.internships.com) Website
linking potential interns with employers.
usAintern (www.usaintern.com) Resource for finding internships and volunteer opportunities.
chapter
chapter55
FoR
FoRYoUR
YoUR
REFERENcE
REFERENcE
your carEEr cEntEr wEBSitE

Your universitys career center will probably have information on internships on its website. Sometimes this
will take the form of a database listing the employers
who will be targeting your school and the internships
theyre making available. In most cases, this information
44
is password-protected. Whatever the case, this is a key

resource when youre researching your ideal internship.
Employer research
Learn about the companies or organizations you want
to target:
The business Journals (www.bizjournals.com):
Business news from 41 local markets and 46 industries.
pr newswire (www.prnewswire.com/news/)
Wetfeets industry and company proles (www.
wetfeet.com)
publications with company lists

Some of the best-known lists about employers can be
found through a good local library or through paid subscriptions to the following magazines:
business 2.0 (http://money.cnn.com/magazines/
business2/)
bloomberg businessweek (www.businessweek.com)
forbes (www.forbes.com)
fortune (http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/)
inc. (www.inc.com)
professional associations
Search information on associations in every field imaginable using the directory provided by Internet Public
12/7/11 12:34 PM
Business and Multiple Areas

Rising Star Internships (www.rsinternships.com)
National internships (www.internships.com)
INROADS (www.inroads.org)
Sponsors for Educational Opportunity
(www.seo-ny.org)
The Back Door Guide to

Short-Term Job Adventures
Michael Landes (Ten Speed Press, 2005)
Internships for Dummies

Craig P. Donovan and Jim Garnett (For Dummies, 2001)
Nonprofit and U.S. Federal Government

Opportunities
AIESEC International (www.aiesec.org)

Association for International Practical Training
(www.aipt.org)
Warren Christensen and Debbie McAfee

(National Network for Artist Placement, 2005)
Petersons Internships
Petersons Guides, 2005
The Internship Bible

Princeton Review, 2005
The Internship Series from

Career Education Institutes
(www.internships-usa.com/books.htm)
CHAPTER55
CHAPTER
ForYour
Your
For
Reference
Reference
International ProgramsInternships and

Work Exchange
National Directory of Arts Internships

CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
Students.gov (www.students.gov) Note that this

website was retired in October 2011, but it still
provides links to useful information.
The Environmental Careers Organization
(www.eco.org)
Idealist.org: Action Without Borders (www.idealist.org)
VolunteerMatch (www.volunteermatch.org)
Washington Internship Institute (www.ielnet.org)
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
Internship Programs for Minority Students
Resources in Print
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
Some of the programs listed here require registration or

a fee. Programs have different requirements for participationa few are open only to students.
CHAPTER 2
The Search
Specific Opportunities
British Universities North America Club

(www.bunac.org)
Center for International Career Development
(www.cicdgo.com)
Council on International Educational Exchange
(www.ciee.org)
Cross-Cultural Solutions
(www.crossculturalsolutions.org)
EducationUSA (educationusa.state.gov)
Intern Abroad (www.InternAbroad.com)
The International Association for the Exchange
of Students for Technical Experience
(www.iaeste.org)
International Institute for Cooperation and
Development (www.iicd.org)
Internship International
(www.internshipinternational.com)
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
Librarys database (www.ipl.org/div/aon/).

Some key associations to target are:
American Management Association
(www.amanet.org)
American Marketing Association
(www.marketingpower.com)
Association for Financial Professionals
(www.afponline.org)
Society for Human Resource Management
(www.shrm.org)
12/7/11 12:34 PM
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12/7/11 12:34 PM
12/7/11 12:34 PM
>> The WetFeet Story
WetFeet was founded in 1994 by Stanford MBAs Gary Alpert and Steve Pollock. While exploring their
next career moves, they needed products like the WetFeet Insider Guides to guide them through their
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companies and in different industries. www.WetFeet.com

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