The Internship Search for Graduate Students
Post on 03-Feb-2022
5 Views
Preview:
Transcript
The Internship Search for Graduate Students
University Career Services
Kamilah McCoy
Associate Director for Graduate Student Services
Presentation Objectives
• Why pursue an internship?
• Provide direction for a successful internship search
– How to begin your search
– Where to find internship opportunities
• Review special internship search considerations for
graduate students
• Identify internship search resources and support at
Northwestern
Types of Experiential Learning
Put your learning experiences into action!
• Internships
– A trial period with an employer that helps you gain insight
into a field that you are considering as a career. Typically
over the summer. Can be paid, unpaid or for course credit.
• Fellowships
– There are different types of fellowships, including some that
provide practical experience in your field of study
• Co-ops (primarily engineering)
– Structured training experience with the same employer
lasting multiple academic quarters
• Volunteering/Service Learning
– Develop and apply skills through community engagement or
structured service opportunities.
Trends in the Hiring Market
• Internship opportunities have increased over the last
decade
• Many employers are converting interns and co-ops
to full time hires after graduation
• Employers indicate that “relevant internships and
experience” are the most important qualification
when making hiring decisions.
Experience gained through internships now can
increase your marketability when searching for full-time
employment in the future.
Sources: Trends in Recruiting 2011-2012 Report and Internships.com
Benefits of an Internship
Internships allow you to…
• Explore careers and position types
• Develop and apply your skills
• Have direct involvement with your research subject
• Inform your understanding of your career options
• Build your professional contacts
• Expand your future professional and research
funding opportunities
Before You Apply
• Define your goals and determine what type of
experience you would like to gain
• What skills are needed for the long-term professional
positions that interest you?
• What skills do you already have that would make
you valuable to a potential employer?
The 3 Main Ways to Find an Internship
1. Internship Postings
– Using online databases to identify available opportunities
2. Employer Sourcing
– Identify and contact potential employers to generate
internship opportunities.
3. Networking
– Establishing connections with alumni and other connections
to tap into the “hidden job market.”
Many graduate students find internship opportunities
through employer sourcing and networking
1. Internship Postings
Formal Databases
• CareerCat and iNet
• NU school-specific databases:
– McCormick Connect, Medill Link, SoConnect
• Department emails/listservs
• Professional Society Websites
• Employer Websites
• Internships.com
• PhDs.org
• Idealist.org
• Indeed.com
For effective search
results, use a keyword
from your research or
field of study when using
formal job/internship
search databases
2. Employer Sourcing
Finding internship opportunities by researching
employers/work environments.
Involves:
• Researching Industries
– Learn the major players and identify employers of interest
• Researching Companies
– Visit employer websites for more information about their
mission and areas of focus
• Creating a list of those to contact
• Contacting employers directly through email or
phone
• Arranging for informational interviews
Vault is a comprehensive resource for
job search and career management
information, including insider information
on salaries, hiring, and company culture.
Wet Feet offers profiles on over 1000
companies , 30 major industries and
"day in the life" profiles of dozens of
career professionals
A database of company information that
can be used to find and discover
companies by location, name, size,
industry and keyword .
A business research company that
maintains a database of over 65 million
companies worldwide.
Employer Research Resources
Informational Interviewing
What is an Informational Interview?
A type of networking interview that allows you to
employer and/or industry research through a one-on-
one conversation with a professional in the field.
Informational Interviews allow you to
• Gather information that cannot be found online
• Learn about the career journey about your contact
• Obtain advice for making yourself marketable for the
field
• Leave a positive impression for future career
opportunities/leads
3. Networking
What is Networking?
• Developing relationships with professionals in your
chosen field
• An exchange of information and resources
• Sharing purposeful information about yourself and
your career interests
• A method to make yourself marketable for potential
job/internship opportunities
Networking is one of the top
methods used Northwestern
students to find internships.
Who’s In Your Network?
• Undergraduate
Institution Alumni
• Graduate Institution
Alumni (NU)
• High School Alumni
• Academic Program
Alumni
• Research Group
Alumni
• PI/Advisor
• Other Faculty
• Research
Collaborators
• Current Employers
• Previous Employers
• Family
• Friends
• Career Fairs
• Recruiters
• Professional
organizations
• Student organizations
• Fraternity/Sorority
Members
• Other organizational
members
• Athletic teammates
• Friends of friends
• Mentors
• Anyone missing?
YOU
Formal Networking Resources
• Northwestern Alumni Association
network of over 200,000 alumni
• CareerNet: online database of NU
alumni aimed at facilitating networking
and informational interviewing
• Professional networking site with over
100 million users
• Networking Groups
– Alumni Groups
– Northwestern School Groups
– Industry-specific Groups
– Subject Matter Groups
– Professional Organization Groups
Developing Your Own Internship
Make Contact with Employers of Interest
• Contact organizations directly to inquire about possible
opportunities
• Reach out to your network to inquire about opportunities
Make your Pitch!
• Know what you can offer: knowledge, strengths, skills and
abilities and what the industry values in potential employees.
• Be prepared to communicate your interest in the opportunity
and your potential value.
Follow up!
• Provide appropriate application materials (resumes, cover
letters, etc.)
• Send thank you notes to all who assisted you in your search.
Start Your Internship Search NOW!
Summer internships are often posted in late
December and January
Winter Quarter
• Review websites for internship postings
• Contact employers that may consider creating an internship for
you
• Keep track of deadlines
• Attend career fairs on and off campus
• Network!
• Prepare for interviews
Spring Quarter
• Continue to apply and network if you have not yet secured an
internship
• Expand your list of potential employers
Applying to Opportunities
• Most positions will require a resume and cover letter,
some will require additional materials (transcripts,
writing samples, personal statement/essay, etc.)
• Tailor application materials to the employer, industry
and/or position.
• Inform your networking contacts of your application
plans
CV vs. Resume
Curriculum Vitae Resume
•No page limit
•Detailed overview
•Used when applying to
academic teaching and research
positions
•Used when applying to grants,
fellowships, and some
administrative positions in
colleges and universities
•Also used when applying to
positions abroad
•1-2 pages in length: Concise
•Summary of skills, education
and experience
•Marketing tool to obtain
interviews
•Communicate your potential
value
•Content is tailored to the
audience
•Used when applying for
positions in industry, government
and non-profit
Cover Letters
An Introduction to potential employers that
accompanies a resume, highlighting the strengths
of your candidacy.
Opening Paragraph
• State your reason for writing and how you learned
about the position
Middle Paragraph(s)
• Emphasize and elaborate on your strongest
qualifications for the position.
Closing Paragraph
• Thank the reader for his/her consideration and
indicate how the employer can reach you.
Sample Job Posting
Better Government Association: Investigative Intern
The BGA's Investigative Unit hires unpaid interns in the summer and
throughout the year to assist in news projects.
Some of the duties might include:
- Going to courthouses to pull documents
- Making phone calls to sources
- Attending news conferences
- Contributing to select stories and blogs
- Coming up with ideas for articles and investigations
- Researching
- Filing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Requirements for the position:
- Upperclassmen, Graduate Student
- Journalism or related major in college
- Previous experience writing and reporting
- A nose for news, and an ability to learn new skills quickly
- An understanding of local government (particularly in Chicago and
Illinois) and current events
- A solid work ethic, attention to detail and a sense of humor
Highlight the skills
needed for the
position and
connect them to
related skills and
experiences from
your own
background when
writing your resume
and cover letter
Graduate Student Considerations
• Secure the necessary permissions from
department/advisor
• Funding restrictions
• International Students (CPT)
• Paid vs. Unpaid
– Course Credit
• “All of the posted opportunities are for
Undergraduates!”
UCS Internship Services
Meet with a Career Counselor:
• How do I explore/research career options?
• How do I know what kind of internship I want?
• How do I assess my interests/skills/values and how
do they relate to potential internships?
Meet with an Internship Specialist:
• When and how do I begin my internship search?
• How do I research companies/industries?
• How do I write an internship resume/cover letter?
• How do I prepare for interviewing?
Additional Resources at Northwestern
• School-specific Career Offices
– McCormick Office of Career Development, EPICS, SESP
Advising, Medill Career Services
• Office of Fellowships
• Center for Civic Engagement
• Programs
– GEO Community Practicum-Center for Civic Engagement
– Crown Family Internship-McCormick Doctoral Students
Upcoming UCS Events
Workshops
• Finding Your Fit: Career Exploration for Graduate Students
Thursday, 2/2 12:00-1:00 PM Grad Student Commons
• Social Media Tools for Graduate Students
Thursday, 2/23 12:00-1:00 PM Grad Student Commons
Drop-In Hours
• Mondays 11:00-1:00 PM The Graduate School
Speakers
• The International Student Job Search with Dan Beaudry
Thursday 1/26 4:00-5:30 PM Norris, Wildcat Room
Stay Connected to UCS!
Listserv:
• Send an email to listserv@listserv.it.northwestern.edu.
• Leave the subject line blank.
• In the body of the message type
SUBSCRIBE UCSGradStudents firstname lastname
Twitter:
• @UCSGradStudents: www.twitter.com/ucsgradstudents
University Career Services
Main Office
620 Lincoln Street
847-491-3700
Career Lab (Walk-ins Thursdays & Fridays Only)
Core Reserve
Main Library, 2nd Floor North
Web www.northwestern.edu/careers
Facebook www.facebook.com/northwesternuncs
Twitter http://twitter.com/northwesternucs
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=1926036
Blog http://northwesternuniversitycareerservices.wordpress.com
top related