While I still have another post to write in my internship mini-series, I'm taking a little break to write about Panama, especially since I'm only going to have internet for a few more days.

But since it's still pretty relevant, I wanted to share this article that some incredibly sweet co-workers at Clelian Heights wrote about my recent internship with them.  The newsletter is pretty long, but my section is on pages 15 and 16.

I can't thank the wonderful people at Clelian enough for allowing me to be a part of their community, and I strongly encourage any internship seekers out there to consider non-profit options.  As per my experience, the people are incredible to work with and truly want to help you learn and better yourself.


http://www.clelianheights.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Shavings-Spring-2013.pdf

How to Get the Most out of your Internship

Since simply adding another line on your resume should never, ever be the point of an internship, it's important to make sure you're getting the most out of your experience.  

Outline Your Goals and Share Them With Your Boss.  

Before you even start your new job, make a list of the things you would like to do and learn during your internship.  Bring your list to work on the first day and talk with your boss about what's reasonable for both of you.  While designing your own marketing campaign for a major client probably isn't going to work out, chances are your boss will give you ownership on a smaller scale project.  Getting on the same page with your boss on Day 1 ensures that you won't have any mid-summer meltdowns about the point of your internship.  

Never Act too Good for an Assignment.  

Whether you're filing papers or working on a major presentation, be sure to put the same work ethic and enthusiasm into each assignment.  As the lowest on the totem pole, chances are you're going to be asked to do some pretty menial tasks, but showing that you're not to good for the small stuff will likely to help you earn the bigger assignments too.  

Always Ask for and Gratefully Accept Feedback.

The biggest reason you're an intern is to learn and there is no better way to do that than to hear feedback from your boss(es) and co-workers.  During periodic performance reviews and after every major project I asked the people I worked with to let me know what I did well and what I could improve on.  Remember that constructive criticism is just that- constructive.  Don't take it personally and use it to make yourself a better employee.  

Have a Positive Exit.  

Though it's easy to do, do not let yourself slack towards the end of your internship.  Also, while Thank You cards are a must for everyone you directly worked with, consider bringing in something for the entire department.  Depending on office preferences, I've brought in a cookie cake, box of bagels and toppings, and ingredients for homemade parfaits.  Finishing strong ensures that your coworkers and supervisors will be likely to write positive recommendation letters and help you out in any way they can.  

Use Your Experience to Help You Land Your Next Job.  

More on this topic in my next blog, "Internships Keep on Giving: Using your Experience to Advance your Career."

Have internship questions?  Send them to me (abbyexplores@gmail.com)!

Finding Your (Nearly) Perfect Internship

With so many advice about finding your dream internship floating around the web, I wanted to share my own experiences and why I think there's no way you can or should start out with a "dream" internship.  

Be Realistic.  

If you've only ever worked as a fast food cashier, chances are you're not going to swoop in and get a fashion marketing position in NYC.  Understand that you'll need to start somewhere, so start interning early (think freshman year of college) in whatever position you can get good, related experience.  

Perhaps most importantly, do NOT get hung up on the job title.  One of my best "internships" was as a student assistant in the Tennessee 4-H Office.  My boss, after seeing how driven I was, agreed to let me build a social media outreach program for the entire state.  Once he saw how successful it was, he even took my work across the state and trained local employees on the same techniques I had taught him.  All that from what looked like a summer secretarial job!  

Gain Experience by Looking Outside the Box 

Not every internship is going to be packaged into a nice little paid position and advertised on every major outlet.  To give yourself a little direction, try what I did: 

1. Define your end goal.  As a freshman mine was to work in fashion marketing

2. Outline the qualifications you already have.  Mine were working in retail and winning numerous awards from DECA (a marketing association for high school students) and 4-H (a youth development).

3. Make a list of local companies that are related to your end goal.  For me this was shopping malls and boutiques.

4. Reach out to the companies on your list and ask for the opportunity to gain experience.  This might mean a regular part/full time job, job shadowing, or, ideally, an internship.  Thanks to this (and some help from my school's career counselor) I got a retail marketing internship with Simon Malls in my hometown (which later opened the door for other great opportunities!)

After Building up Your Résume, Focus on those "Dream" Jobs.  

Once I had several local internships under my belt, I made a personal goal to spend the summer before my senior year interning with a recognizable company in a major city.  Armed with experience, great recommendation letters, and a beefed up online presence, I applied to about 50 positions all over the country and received five phone interviews, three in-person interviews, and three final offers.  I included both "reach" and "fit" positions and refused to apply to anything that I wasn't going to love and learn from.  

Who you know and how well you know the organization definitely matters, so consider looking to regional or national offices for companies you've worked for in the past.  

Understand that No Internship is Going to be Perfect.  

While it's definitely cool to work for a big name company in a great city, I've learned from both my experiences and those of my friends that no internship is perfect.  Every job is going to have it's challenges and obstacles, and all of us are going to have days on the job that we'd rather not be there.  

However, choosing to learn from those times will ultimately make you a better employee and more well-rounded person.

Internships

Though I'm obviously no expert on careers, there is one thing I've noticed that really puts candidates on the right track for success: Internships.  I've learned countless lessons in my 7-time post as intern, and I’ll be sharing what I know as part of a blog series on internships.  

Over the next few blogs I’ll be covering the following topics:

• Finding Your (Nearly) Perfect Internship
• How to Get the Most out of your Internship
• Internships Keep on Giving: Using your Experience to Advance your Career

If you have any questions, feel free to submit them to me via comment or email (abbyexplores@gmail.com) and I’ll be happy to help in any way I can!