The Five Steps to Finding

an InternshipCenter for Career DevelopmentUniversity 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 self-

awareness 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

post-graduate 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 part-time or full-time. • May be paid or unpaid.

1. Internship Readiness:Student Motivation

• 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

• 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

• Demonstrate a focus• Know your worth• What are you suited to do?• HuskyCareerPrep

Ask yourself…what are your career interests and skills?

Well-Informed Decisions

Values Interests

Personality Skills

2. Employer Motivations:Large Organizations

Different motives than students...• 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...

•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?oVerbal communicationoProblem solving and decision

makingoTeam workoPlan, 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 CritiqueSample 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

uconn.evisors.com

Summer Internship Strategies Internships in Consulting vs. Banking How to Land a Job/Internship at Microsoft Leveraging Your Internship into a Full Time Offer

5 Steps to Finding an Internship

Check out Evisors vast library of career webinars on various topics, general and specific!

Learn which career path, or specific 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 HoursMonday – Friday

12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Office Hours Monday – Friday

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.