Transcript Making the most of you Internship Experience

Making the Most of Your
Internship Experience
Pace University Career Services  www.pace.edu/careers
Stage One: Setting Goals
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To start, you might be feeling one or both of these ways:
 High motivation, excitement, idealistic (maybe unrealistic?)
expectations
 Self-doubt, wondering if this choice was really the best option
Go through a process of self-assessment, goal setting, interviewing, and
negotiating in order to write a personal learning contract. This, in turn,
will help develop confidence, a positive attitude, and more realistic
expectations.
Stage One: Setting Goals
Define your expectations
 Learn as much as you can about the organization and your position
before you begin so that you can create realistic expectations of your
work, the office culture, etc.
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Outline your personal learning objectives
 An internship is an opportunity to learn and improve on:
 Industry knowledge
 Networking opportunities
 Transferable/soft skills towards future employment
 Resume additions and increased marketability
Stage Two: Orientation and Identity
Establishment
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Establishing your identity begins when you arrive at the work site
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Orient yourself by learning new rules, rituals, subtleties of power,
and information flow in order to gain acceptance and search for
focus and direction in your office culture
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Bring a pad and pen to take notes so you remember all of the
training and information you receive in the first few days
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You may feel either over- or under-whelmed with the internship at
first – that is normal. Give it time
Workplace Basics
Time Management
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Arrive at work at least five to
ten minutes early each day
Do not start to pack up and get
ready to leave until the end of
your scheduled time
Plan your day/week to make
sure work is completed in a
timely manner
-the on-time/early clock-
Workplace Basics
Dress Codes
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Carefully follow the dress
code of the office
“Dress for the job you want,
not the job you have!”
Ask questions if you are still
unsure of the dress code
Workplace Basics
Successful Attitude
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Smile!
Look friendly and accessible
Respect organization members and philosophy
Show confidence by being assertive, but not aggressive
Accept constructive criticism and adjust your practices accordingly
Volunteer for activities that will benefit the organization’s goals
Take every opportunity to assist your co-workers or work on a team
Adopt a long-term perspective
Take pride in your work – no task is insignificant or too small
Keep an open mind and be flexible
Workplace Basics
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E-mail/Phone
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Internet
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Take only the amount of supplies that you need
Tell the appropriate staff when supplies are low
Time card
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Keep it to only work-related usage (no Facebook, shopping, etc.)
Supply cabinet usage
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No personal use and no texting – EVER!
Set a vacation message if you will be away
Use formal communication (no slang, abbreviations, emoticons, etc.)
Report only the hours that you actually worked
School assignments
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Do not use work time to complete homework
Workplace Basics
Build Effective Relationships
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Communicate effectively with your boss:
 Listen and observe carefully
 Ask questions to avoid misunderstandings
 When presenting a problem, try to also offer
a solution
Remember the names of your co-workers
Participate on a team (work, recreation, or
social) to build skills
Do not criticize company operations
Give positive feedback and credit to your
colleagues for work well done
Workplace Basics
Internship = Opportunity to Network
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What is Networking?
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Where can I network?
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Meeting people who can be of mutual professional assistance
An ongoing process, not something done only when you are seeking a job
In the office or at company functions
How is networking done?
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Take the opportunity to talk to others about your career goals or needs
(i.e., job search assistance, career information, names of contacts)
Conduct informational interviews with full-time professionals at the
company who share common interests and can provide insight
Always carry an updated version of your resume or business card
Workplace Basics
Prepare to Handle Office Politics
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Stay away from or remain neutral in negative discussions that occur in
the workplace
Quickly address any conflicts that arise
Focus on the priorities of the organization
Do not bring personal (family, relationship, etc.) problems into the
office setting
Discover the unwritten office rules
Don’t be too hard on yourself – everyone makes mistakes!
Stage Three: Reconciling Expectations
with Reality
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You may have had a picture in your head about what the internship will be
like and sometimes it does not match up with the reality of the workplace
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The workplace tends to have more structure than college life. Interns might
find less flexibility in their work lifestyle than in their academic routine.
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If the internship does not immediately match your expectations, you might
feel disappointment at first, but stick with it and give the opportunity a
chance
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Discussing any issues about the internship with your counselor is the best
way to get assistance and learn how to improve the internship experience
Stage Four: Productivity and
Independence
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Increase learning and
productivity at the worksite.
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Focus your energies on
accomplishing tasks and learning
new goals.
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Integrate yourself into the work
group, and be receptive to
evaluations.
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Remember to be self-confident,
self-aware, and negotiate changes
effectively.
Taking Initiative
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Perform any routine tasks with a
positive attitude and attention to
detail
Double-check your work
Go the extra mile! When things
are slow, ask for additional projects
and assignments
Keep up with technology and
trends in your industry
Build a dependable reputation by
finishing projects on time
Ask for feedback along the way
Document your accomplishments
Stage Five: Closure
How to end the internship on a positive note:
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Leaving your significant learning experience can be challenging and can
generate mixed feelings; however, stay focused and remain enthusiastic
throughout the experience
Some interns do not know how or when to leave, or would benefit from
reflecting and processing the internship experience
Discuss your thoughts with your counselor who can provide assistance
For an effective ending:
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Schedule a meeting with your supervisor to discuss your overall performance
Secure references! Get business cards and personal contact information (at
least an e-mail address)
If near graduation, discuss possible full-time opportunities with your
employer
If you would like to stay on as an intern, discuss the potential for remaining in
the role. If you are ready to leave, make sure you give two weeks notice
Stage Six: Life and Work PostInternship
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During this stage, you will readjust to life back at school or begin
preparation for post-graduation employment
Be sure to end on a positive note – send a thank you to your
supervisor and plan to keep in touch
To transition smoothly:
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Update your resume with your new experiences and accomplishments
as quickly as possible
Meet with your counselor to process your experience and plan your
next professional step
NYC, 41 Park Row, 14th Floor  Westchester, Gannett House
Visit Career Services anytime before, during, or after your
internship experience. We are here to support you!