Internship Search
and Prep
Internships
Worth the effort Worth the time
Career Services Center-CH215
Bobbi Murphy
Employer Relations and Internship Development
What is an Internship?
“An internship is a form of experiential learning
that integrates knowledge and theories learned in
the classroom with practical application and skill
development in a professional setting. An
internship provides students with an opportunity
to develop their competencies as professionals in
their area of study, while still being identified as
learners, rather than solely as employees.
Students earn academic credit and are evaluated
according to a job description that is incorporated
into a course.
Internship Definition Cont.
This work/learning arrangement is overseen by a
faculty member of the student’s educational
institution and by a designated employee of the
host organization. The work/learning experience is
usually the length of a semester, may be part-time
or full-time, paid or unpaid. Academic learning
objectives are integral to the internship,
distinguishing them from volunteer positions or
jobs. Internship requires some form of reflection
where students apply theories and concepts to
their on-the-job experience to improve their
performances as professionals.
Benefits of Having Internship Experience
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Valued by employers-higher salaries
GRADUATING SENIORS WHO DO AN INTERNSHIP, ON AVERAGE EARN
OVER $10,000 MORE PER YEAR THAN THOSE WHO DON’T DO AN
INTERNSHIP
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Explore career options
Increase confidence and develop skills
$$$$
Apply classroom education to workplace
Important addition to your resume
Provide contacts and networking opportunities
Why Employers Want Interns

Recruitment tool
Job Survey for 2012
73.7% employers surveyed stated their preference to hire candidates with
relevant work experience.
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Productive short-term employee
Increase visibility of company or organization
Provide technology skills and a fresh perspective
From MN College Job Outlook Survey
81.3% of employers surveyed offer
internships
40.2% of employers surveyed hire from their
intern program
Getting Ready for the
Internship or Job Search
Preparation is everything
It’s not the most qualified
individual who gets the
position,
it’s the individual who is
most prepared.
How Do I Get Started?
Involve your Advisor or Faculty Internship
Coordinator List 2014-2015
Understand your goals and internship
requirements
Go to the Career Services Website
http://www.stcloudstate.edu/careerservices/
You will need:
 Resume and Cover Letter
 Knowledge of the Company or
Organization
 Networking and Interviewing Skills
Do your research.
Knowledge of employers will ensure…
A better internship or job “fit” and a
better chance at getting the
internship or job
Employers expect you to have researched
who they are and what they do.
Go to their website to find out…
Who is their customer/client?
 What is their mission/vision?
 How do they measure success?
 What are the key qualifications and skills they are
seeking?
Read their newsletters and company history
Look at their calendars, community initiatives
Check out their FAQ (frequently asked questions) area
Contact people who currently work there
Conduct informational interviews

Research Resources
http://www.stcloudstate.edu/careerservices/intern_prep/em
ployer_research.asp
Better Business Bureau at http://minnesota.bbb.org/
Glassdoor.com user generated contact site is packed with
insider information on 30,000 companies, including actual
salary figures (reported by the workers themselves) by
function and location, interview questions used by specific
employers, details on the hiring process, and tons more.
Company Insight Center (Bloomberg Business Week)
www.Zoominfo.com
www.hoovers.com
Finding an internship…
Network, Network, Network
 Faculty
Internship Coordinator, Staff
 Career Services Centers
 www.Linkedin.com
 Friends, Family, and Classmates
 Professional and Student Associations
 Social Events, Clubs, Service Work
Career Services & Internet
Check out resources
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Career Services Website
EdPost
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www.SCSUcareers.com and Going Global
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Univ. of St. Thomas Career Center
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Chambers of Commerce
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International Chamber of Commerce
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Other job/internship boards
How to Apply
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Follow ALL application instructions
Apply by deadline, earlier is better
Make sure resume is up to date, reviewed by
others and spellchecked
Include cover letter that makes persuasive case
and is tailored to the internship
Follow up with a phone call or e-mail
Make the Most Out of Your
Internship!
Follow the organization’s personnel policies
 Lines of communication
 Emergency policies
 Get involved in office sponsored events
 Find a mentor
 Keep track of what you did and the contacts
you made, journal
 Make sure the organization provides
supervision
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Stand Out
 Be
on time and be friendly
 Dress appropriately for the work
 Stay out of workplace politics and gossip
 Ask questions if you don’t know
something
 Work hard and offer to do more, don’t sit
around
The internship is one big job interview
Students who participate in
internships are 38% more likely
to get a job offer
Internships=Experience
Employers Look for Experience
About references
 How
to utilize references
 What to provide references
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Time
Information
Addressed envelope and stamp(check with
faculty)
 Thank
your references