GETTING YOUR IDEAL INTERNSHIP - Universum

Getting Your Ideal Internship
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
CHAPTER 2
The Search
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
• Find out who does what within your group. Learn
the role of each member. This knowledge helps
especially when you’re looking for information—it
allows you to target questions to the right person.
• Learn which group or department members have
forged careers along the lines you envision for yourself.
Ask them to share their stories and advice. A
career-molding insight might be a friendly question
away.
• Make administrative staffers your allies. Receptionists,
mail handlers, assistants, and secretaries, IT
people, the HR team—all of them can help you
navigate the company’s systems and gain access
to resources. And the way you treat them is a sure
reflection of your professionalism.
Work Tools
Learn the core methods and tools your group uses, and
the terms applied to those processes. The quicker you
master them, the sooner you’ll be an effective group
member.
• Do your colleagues use a specific type of software,
planning tool, protocol, or group dynamic process?
Your job is to get up to speed on them quickly.
Weeks 3 and 4:
Making Connections
You’re starting to feel more comfortable. You’ve been
making good progress in your projects; you’re getting
familiar with the company’s tools and jargon. Even
more important, you’re getting to know your coworkers
inside and outside your group. These people can
help you reach your goals. Here’s how you can use this
period to make those connections mean something:
Find a Mentor
Seek a senior colleague who can provide advice and give
feedback about your work habits and accomplishments.
Although some companies have formal mentorship
programs, this person will not necessarily just drop in
your lap. Use your networking skills. Look within your
area and outside of it to find someone you can trust and
admire. That person could become your champion—a
key ally in your quest for a full-time job.
Network Within
Make a list of key people, in your group and outside of
it, who can help you reach your goals. Contact them to
discuss their roles and their challenges. You’ll develop a
deeper understanding of the work at the company and a
better sense of whether you want to work there.
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
• Find out where past work is stored and how to access
it. You’ll likely have some downtime during your
first week. Use that time to study the types of deliverables
the group has recently produced.
• Take note of which communication and collaboration
tools the group favors. Does it use meeting
management software such as Outlook? A real-time
instant messaging tool such as Skype? Is there anyone
on the road who uses only a cell phone to check
email? Better not attach that 10 Mb document if
you aren’t sure.
Dear Diary
One tool that can
truly enhance your
internship experience
is a work diary,
recording your
activities and accomplishments
and
evaluating your daily
experiences. Aside
from helping focus
on your goals for the
internship, it will
provide raw material
you can present
when you’re evaluated
toward the end
of the process. If your
school requires you
to write a summary
of your internship
experience, the diary
will be your main
source.
30 WETFEET INSIDER GUIDE
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