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Internships 101 At

Normandale Community College

Internships Available in the

Following Subjects:

Find us at:

Normandale.edu/cee

Facebook.com/cee.internships

Accounting

Biology

Business/Marketing (AAS)**

Communication

Community Health Worker**

Computer Science (AAS)**

Education

Engineering

Geography

Geology

Healthcare Systems Technology**

Hospitality Management**

Sociology and Criminal Justice

Vacuum Technology

** Requires Internship(s)

*If you do not see your course interest listed, please ask if it’s

available!!*

Other Helpful Items You will

Find in this Brochure:

Resume Tips and Sample Resume pg.6-7

Cover Letter Guide pg. 8-9

Interviewing Tips pg. 10

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Top 5: What is an Internship and How Does it Help Me?

1. Internships give you understanding in the field you are going to school

for and help you decide on your post college plans.

2. Experience in your field of study. Actually working within a company or

business gives you different insight into the job. It exposes you to a new

way of thinking and working.

3. Internships require different skills, a new practice, utilizing what you

learn in the classroom in a new way. This is something that cannot be

taught, but you get from experience.

4. Hands-on knowledge of the industry you are going into is vital. This is

a way to accumulate new skills and make employers notice you.

5. Networking is one of the biggest benefits to participating in an

Internship. New professional relationships and making contacts in your

field give you the opportunity for job contacts and professional

references.

For more information on Internships, check out our website:

Normandale.edu/cee Click on: Internships

AND attend an Information and Registration Session

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Step One: Find an Internship

Strategies for Finding an Internship

Where do I start?

Your professor is the expert in your field

Find job/internship fairs

Attend an Information Session

Participate in the Internship Interview Event held

at Normandale or locate another interview

event

Network at school or other events

Where can I find more information?

Internship Information packet

Check out the websites listed in this packet,

on page 5

Normandale.edu/cee, Click: Internships

Refer to the list of where other students have

completed Internships

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Websites to Check Out

Websites to check out:

Normandale.edu/cee Search: Internships https://www.looksharp.com/

indeed.com/q-Internship-l-Minneapolis,-MN-jobs.html

internships.com

idealist.org

simplyhired.com/k-internships-l-minneapolis-mn-jobs.html

*For IT Students visit: www.mavericksoftware.com

*For IT, Engineering, and Biology visit: www.mhta.org/work/job-postings

http://www.internshipprograms.com

http://www.iseek.org

goabroad.com

experience.com

Internship Resources:

LinkedIn.com InternQube.com

http://www.iseek.org

careershift.com

Check out Normandale.edu/CEE, under internships for links!

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RESUME TIPS

Grammar:

Make sure there are no typos, Don’t rely completely on spell check.

Check your grammar; errors are unacceptable.

Avoid abbreviations, except for states.

Do not use personal pronouns (use third person; take yourself out of the situation — no “I”,

“me”, or “my”).

Content:

Have someone else look over your resume

Have the correct information—double check your facts, position title, locations, and grammar

Personalize your experience and skill set to the position, department, or company to which you

are applying.

Demonstrate an obvious connection between Objective, Skills, and Experience sections so the

résumé reads easily and clearly.

Do not include personal information on the résumé.

Design:

Be consistent with format. List the month, year, organization/company, location, and position

title.

Use bold and italics consistently yet sparingly.

Use the same font throughout the document! Font size should be 10 to 12 pt. Your name can be

larger.

Choose a common font (e.g. Times New Roman or Garamond)

Establish equal margins all the way around the page

Purchase quality résumé paper

General Suggestions:

Have more than one version of your résumé so it can be personalized to an industry or

position.

Keep a file folder of accomplishments, job descriptions, awards, etc. to add to your résumé on

a regular basis

Keep a master résumé

References should go on a separate page

Source: http://www.career.uconn.edu/resume_critiques.html

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SAMPLE RESUME

Source: http://www.career.uconn.edu/resume_critiques.html

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COVER LETTER GUIDE

A good cover letter will describe the reasons why the employer should consider

inviting you for an interview. These reasons might include, but are not limited to,

your educational training, work experience, and personal qualities and

attributes. Since the basics of your educational training and work experience are

already listed on your résumé, it is your responsibility to elaborate on these

experiences and state how they will influence the contribution you would make

to the organization. Be sure to mention something about the company/

organization as it makes the letter more personalized for that organization, and

creates a better first impression.

Follow-up letters are important pieces of the job search. They are meant to keep

you in an employer’s mind after an interview or meeting. These letters allow you

to further indicate interest in a company or a specific position and thank an em-

ployer for taking the time to speak to you individually. This letter affords you the

opportunity to clarify or expand on pertinent points made or questions asked, and

to share additional relevant information about your Qualifications. The follow-up

letter is typically more concise than a cover letter and should range from one to

two paragraphs in length. Make sure that you always use

professional language when communicating with employers. Follow-up letters

can be handwritten (as long as your writing is legible), or composed on a

personal computer, and mailed or e-mailed, depending on what the norm is for

that particular industry. Remember, send your follow-up letters within 48 hours

of meeting with employers!

Source: http://www.career.uconn.edu/resume_critiques.html

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SAMPLE COVER LETTER

Source: http://www.career.uconn.edu/resume_critiques.html

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INTERVIEWING TIPSS

Practice:

Review common interview questions. Practice answering them with someone else or in front

of a mirror. Why have you chosen this particular field? What are your strengths? Or, if you

were hired, what ideas/talents could you contribute to the position or our company? Give an

example of how you solved a problem in the past. Give an example of a time you showed

leadership and initiative.

List Questions to Ask at the Interview:

Pick questions that will demonstrate your interest in the job and the company. This might

include commenting on the news you learned from the company website, and then asking a

question related to it.

Be Prepared:

Remember to bring important items to the interview: Notebook and pens, Extra copies of your

resume and a list of references, Copies of letter (s) of recommendation, licenses, transcripts,

etc. and Portfolio of work samples.

Be Confident:

Display confidence during the interview. Be confident, but let the interviewer start the

dialogue. Send a positive message with your body language. Shake hands firmly, but only if a

hand is offered to you first. Maintain eye contact. Listen carefully. Welcome all questions,

even the difficult ones, with a smile. Give honest, direct answers. Develop answers in your

head before you respond. If you don't understand a question, ask for it to be repeated or

clarified. You don't have to rush, but you don't want to appear indecisive.

End With a Good Impression:

A positive end to the interview is another way to ensure your success. Be courteous and allow

the interview to end on time. Restate any strengths and experiences that you might not have

emphasized earlier. Ask when the employer plans to make a decision. Indicate a time when

you may contact the employer to learn of the decision.

Source: http://www.iseek.org/jobs/interviewtips.html

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Employers Prefer a Candidate to have

Experience in Their Field

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INOTES/IDEAS

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INOTES/IDEAS

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QUESTIONS?

Please contact:

The Center for Experiential Education

Paige Wheeler or Gina Montilino

C 1066 or call 952-358-8119

internship@normandale.edu