The Five Steps to Finding
an Internship
Center for Career Development
University of Connecticut
Spring 2015
Center for Career Development
Mission Statement
The Center for Career Development (CCD) at the University of
Connecticut is dedicated to excellence through offering the highest
levels of service to our students across all schools colleges,
campuses, and disciplines. We support the intellectual growth of our
students by providing programs and experiences that promote selfawareness and engagement as they identify a course of study and
pursue opportunities to become contributing members of the state,
national, and world communities. Through partnership with employers,
alumni, faculty, and staff, we connect students to quality career
development resources, internships, experiential learning, and postgraduate opportunities.
Five Steps
1. Student Motivation and Readiness
2. Employer Motivations and Preferences
3. Internship Posting Analysis & Résumés
4. HuskyCareerLink & Other Resources
5. Developing Professional Relationships
What is an internship?
• A hands-on, work/learning experience
• Provides a way for students to confirm choice of
major and/or career
• More substantial than a part-time job.
• May be linked to an academic department and/or
done for academic credit.
• Lasts between two-four months, and may be parttime or full-time.
• May be paid or unpaid.
1. Internship Readiness:
Student Motivation
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Improve and develop skills … gain confidence
Career trial within or outside of major
Apply classroom learning to work (and vice versa)
Build résumé for work or grad school
Build professional network
Discover industry norms and culture
Obtain mentoring guidance
Tap into “hidden” job market
Earn credit and/or money
Increase market value
Have fun!!
Internship Readiness:
Key Aspects
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Get Organized
Gauge level of excitement
Attitude and Commitment
Internship Programs
& Types
Ask yourself…
What steps have you
taken?
What steps will you take?
Internship Readiness:
Self Awareness
• Understand oneself
– Interests
– Values
– Skills
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Demonstrate a focus
Know your worth
What are you suited to do?
HuskyCareerPrep
Ask yourself…what are your
career interests and skills?
Values
Interests
WellInformed
Decisions
Personality
Skills
2. Employer Motivations:
Large Organizations
Different motives than students...
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Workforce strategy: talent pipeline for conversions
"Test drive" (low-risk)
Reduce graduate recruiting time, costs, and errors
Worker retention
– Retention rate of employees who held an internship with the
company is much higher than those who did not
• Reduce labor costs (no benefits, limited liabilities)
• Build competence and loyalty
Employer Motivations:
Small/Non-Profit Organizations
Different motives than large companies...
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Level the playing field with large corporations
Add productivity
Bring fresh enthusiasm and perspectives
Boost employee morale
*Note: This sector encompasses 80+% of job market!
Employer Preferences:
Top Skills in a Candidate
Vote– which one do you believe is the top skill
employers have indicated is preferred?
o Verbal communication
o Problem solving and decision making
o Team work
o Plan, organize, and prioritize
Employer Preferences:
Top Skills in a Candidate
The National Association of Colleges
and Employers (NACE) Annually Surveys
Employers (Job Outlook 2014)
3.
Internship
Analysis
Sample Résumé Before Critique
Sample Résumé
Before Critique
Going Global
www.interncoop.uconn.edu
What percent of jobs/internships
are advertised?
• 5-10%
• 20-25%
• 45-50%
• 70-75%
5. Developing Professional
Relationships
The
‘Gated’
‘Market
Developing Professional
Relationships & Social Media
• Alumni, UConn staff/students, former supervisors
• A few Social Media Sites that incorporate advertised and
hidden internship opportunities
• Making your Profile(s) Public
• Be Smart about who you
choose to connect with
• Be sincere and genuine
Acing the Interview
Officially Document
Your Internship
Three possible ways to document your internship:
1. Earn academic credit through an academic
department
2. Earn one (1) academic credit through the CCD
Supervised Internship Experience course
3. Receive a notation on your transcript with CCD’s
Documented Internship Experience option – Zero
Credit
*Students must have approval to earn credit before starting the internship
Action Steps
• Be sure to visit the Center for Career Development to
discuss your specific internship needs and have your
résumé critiqued
• Visit interncoop.uconn.edu for up-to-date internships
information
• Develop a LinkedIn profile, join the CCD LinkedIn Group
• Upload your résumé to HuskyCareerLink
• Search and apply for internships on HuskyCareerLink
• Look at your Action Sheet to indicate your Next Steps
• Plan on attending an upcoming career fair
Acing the Interview
5 Steps to Finding an Internship
uconn.evisors.com
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Check out Evisors vast library of career webinars on various topics, general and specific!
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company is best for you using our
comparison and self-exploration tools.
Access exclusive resources and
information designed to help make you a
competitive job candidate!
HUSKYCAREERPREP.UCONN.EDU
Center for Career Development
(CCD)
Wilbur Cross Building, Room 202  (860) 486-3013  www.career.uconn.edu
Résumé Critique Walk-in Hours
Monday – Friday
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Career Counseling Walk-in Hours
Monday – Friday
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Office Hours
Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.