Internship Programs
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Transcript of Internship Programs
Internship Internship ProgramsProgramsA University PerspectiveA University Perspective
By Dr. Lisa StephensonBy Dr. Lisa StephensonThe George Washington UniversityThe George Washington University
Elliott School of International Elliott School of International AffairsAffairs
What is an internship?What is an internship? Real-world work experience for studentsReal-world work experience for students Students develop career-specific skills & Students develop career-specific skills &
have intentional learning activitieshave intentional learning activities Variable length, but usually 3-6 monthsVariable length, but usually 3-6 months Part-time or Full-time, Paid or UnpaidPart-time or Full-time, Paid or Unpaid Promote academic, career and/or personal Promote academic, career and/or personal
developmentdevelopment
Why are internships Why are internships important for students?important for students?
Acquire experience important for future Acquire experience important for future employment and educationemployment and education
Apply classroom knowledge to a real work Apply classroom knowledge to a real work environmentenvironment
Develop and practice transferable skillsDevelop and practice transferable skills Learn about personal strengths, Learn about personal strengths,
weaknesses and preferencesweaknesses and preferences Expand professional network and Expand professional network and
referencesreferences Increase chances of receiving a job offer Increase chances of receiving a job offer
upon graduationupon graduation
Why do organizations want Why do organizations want interns?interns?
Year-round source of highly motivated Year-round source of highly motivated pre-professionalspre-professionals
Students bring new perspectives to old Students bring new perspectives to old problemsproblems
Freedom for professional staff to pursue Freedom for professional staff to pursue more creative projectsmore creative projects
Quality candidates for temporary or Quality candidates for temporary or seasonal positions and projectsseasonal positions and projects
Flexible, cost-effective work force not Flexible, cost-effective work force not requiring a long-term commitmentrequiring a long-term commitment
Proven, cost-effective way to recruit and Proven, cost-effective way to recruit and evaluate potential employeesevaluate potential employees
How do universities and How do universities and companies prepare companies prepare
students for internships?students for internships? Help students understand how an Help students understand how an
internship fits into their professional internship fits into their professional development by developing a Professional development by developing a Professional Development Action Plan (PDAP)Development Action Plan (PDAP)
Students need assistance with resumes Students need assistance with resumes and cover letters.and cover letters.
Students need assistance with developing Students need assistance with developing good interview skillsgood interview skills
Before taking an internship, students Before taking an internship, students should ask themselves some key questions. should ask themselves some key questions.
What interns tell us about What interns tell us about internships (adapted from internships (adapted from
University of Virginia)University of Virginia) Give us real workGive us real work Do what you say, and say what you doDo what you say, and say what you do We like feedbackWe like feedback We want to be included tooWe want to be included too Please explainPlease explain I want a mentorI want a mentor A minute of your time, pleaseA minute of your time, please Be preparedBe prepared I need a deskI need a desk Please pay (if possible), or help with Please pay (if possible), or help with
something.something.
How do we advertise How do we advertise internships?internships?
Organizations should work closely with Organizations should work closely with career centers.career centers.
Advertise in university on-line Advertise in university on-line databasesdatabases
Hold on-campus presentations to Hold on-campus presentations to discuss internshipsdiscuss internships
Participate in career fairsParticipate in career fairs Speak with faculty at universitiesSpeak with faculty at universities Advertise opportunities on your Advertise opportunities on your
websites and through list serveswebsites and through list serves
Publishing a Resume to a Publishing a Resume to a Resume BookResume Book
Elliott School Career Elliott School Career Connection Job ListingsConnection Job Listings
Making the Internship a Making the Internship a Good Experience for Good Experience for
EveryoneEveryone Be clear on the realistic tasks students can accomplishBe clear on the realistic tasks students can accomplish Work with career centers to establish learning Work with career centers to establish learning
objectives for studentsobjectives for students Identify outcomes and expected productsIdentify outcomes and expected products Be willing to incorporate the students’ particular Be willing to incorporate the students’ particular
strengthsstrengths Show how intern’s work relates to the organizationShow how intern’s work relates to the organization Maintain an open channel of communicationMaintain an open channel of communication Keep interns busy and challengedKeep interns busy and challenged Provide opportunities for increasing responsibilityProvide opportunities for increasing responsibility Encourage professionalism and development of new Encourage professionalism and development of new
skillsskills Remember you are a role modelRemember you are a role model
Evaluation of InternshipsEvaluation of Internships
Companies and Universities should Companies and Universities should work with students to evaluate and work with students to evaluate and reflect on their internships once they reflect on their internships once they are completed.are completed.
Examples of Questions for Examples of Questions for EvaluationsEvaluations
Student Evaluation of Student Evaluation of Internships:Internships:
Examples of aspects of the internship a student Examples of aspects of the internship a student should rank from Poor to Excellent are:should rank from Poor to Excellent are: Work experience relates to career goalsWork experience relates to career goals Adequacy of employer supervisionAdequacy of employer supervision Opportunity to use trainingOpportunity to use training Provides levels of responsibility consistent with abilities Provides levels of responsibility consistent with abilities Opportunity to develop communication skills, be creative, Opportunity to develop communication skills, be creative,
problem solve, and develop critical thinking skillsproblem solve, and develop critical thinking skills Provide Orientation to the organizationProvide Orientation to the organization Effort to make it a learning experience Effort to make it a learning experience
Other good questions:Other good questions: Would you work for this supervisor again?Would you work for this supervisor again? Would you work for the organization again?Would you work for the organization again? Would you recommend this organization to other Would you recommend this organization to other
students?students?
Employer Evaluation of Employer Evaluation of InternIntern
Employers should rank students from Employers should rank students from Unsatisfactory to Exceptional in the Unsatisfactory to Exceptional in the following areas:following areas: Motivation to learnMotivation to learn Reading/Writing/Computation SkillsReading/Writing/Computation Skills Listening & Oral Communication SkillsListening & Oral Communication Skills Creative Thinking & Problem Solving SkillsCreative Thinking & Problem Solving Skills Professional and Career Development SkillsProfessional and Career Development Skills Interpersonal and Teamwork SkillsInterpersonal and Teamwork Skills Organizational Effectiveness SkillsOrganizational Effectiveness Skills Basic Work HabitsBasic Work Habits Character AttributesCharacter Attributes Overall PerformanceOverall Performance
In ConclusionIn Conclusion
A good Internship Program benefits A good Internship Program benefits StudentsStudents
A good Internship Program benefits A good Internship Program benefits Companies and OrganizationsCompanies and Organizations
A good Internship Program benefits A good Internship Program benefits UniversitiesUniversities