How to find first job through internship experience (keep it)

ABC about Internship way to get Job

These days, college and university graduates are finding out just how tough a job search can be. This hard job search can be easily changed if they go through internship experience. This internship is a virtual necessity when seeking a position in any profession

What is an Internship?

Internships provide real world experience to those looking to explore or gain the relevant knowledge and skills required to enter into a particular career field. Internships are relatively short term in nature with the primary focus on getting some on the job training and taking what’s learned in the classroom and applying it to the real world. Interns generally have a supervisor who assigns specific tasks and evaluates the interns overall work. For internships for credit, usually a faculty sponsor will work along with the site supervisor to ensure that the necessary learning is taking place.

If you're a college student -- or even a high school senior -- here's a key piece of advice about internships:

 

When to start?

Start thinking about them sooner, rather than later. It's never too early to start looking.

Where do students can find internships info?

Career counselors cite these as among the best sources.

 

Career Offices

University and college career centers typically maintain a database of internships, or refer students to sites like that will help them in their search.

 

Faculty

 Professors who work with companies often refer students.

Alumni and Parents

Alumni listings provide a conduit for students interested in specific companies. A student's own parents, or those of classmates, can also be a link to companies with internship programs.

 How Internships works?

Internships have evolved, with the distinctions blurred between part-time work, co-op positions and internships. For summer internships, students should start researching programs in the fall. Students who already have a relationship with the company – perhaps from a previous internship – often fill winter-break internships slots. But students should be willing to dig for opportunities, since many companies have ongoing needs for interns.

 Students may also want to consider developing their own internship. To do this, a student needs to write a proposal outlining his individual skills, hours of availability, the time frame for the position and how he could assist the company.

Searching for an internship may be a student's initiation into the world of job hunting that goes beyond flipping burgers and lifeguarding.

Few more tips:

Consider these tips for embarking on the process:

There is a common myth that internships are little more than the provision of cheap, temporary labor in exchange for a line-item on a resume, and this approach typically yields mediocre outcomes, Instead, interns and employers should approach internships as valuable opportunities to create benefits that long outlast the average eight-week engagement

For employers, interns represent the next generation of customer, supplier and employee, and can bring fresh ideas and perspectives to any workplace. For interns, employers can provide the opportunity to ground the theory taught in school with the realities of the workforce. But only if each party approaches the arrangement with these goals in mind.

How to be successful intern?

1. Don’t take the first job

 Interview for a couple of internships before deciding which employer will be right for you

2. Professional look

Be there on time, dress appropriately and be respectful of your colleagues. You only have a short time to learn from and impress an employer.

 3. Complete tasks and on time.

Ask questions up front to help you understand the project and build a timeline to complete. If you are unable to complete, speak to your manager and discuss why.

4. Follow Up

Too often, students don't pursue an opportunity beyond sending an application. They send their resumes, but they never follow up with the company. After sending an application, call the company to check on the status. After an interview, be sure to send a thank-you letter.

5. Work on Your Communication Skills

 Don't assume everyone understands technical lingo. A common complaint from companies is about students' lack of communication skills. It's very important that you know how to express yourself.

6. Be Flexible

Don't dismiss less-than-ideal opportunities. Given the economy, students sometimes take part-time internships, perhaps for 10 to 20 hours per week, and hold down another job for pay. Students should also realize they need to look beyond the internships available at star companies. Start where you live. Students may need to consider other companies before moving on to the likes of Google or Microsoft.

7. Learn about the organization

 Learn about the company before you start and continue to ask questions. Review their website, check out your colleagues LinkedIn profiles and read past news articles about the organization. This will better prepare you to understand how the work that you are doing relates to the company as a whole.

8. Go above and beyond

Take the time to make an impression. Ask insightful questions, give recommendations that fit into their overall business plans and get to know your colleagues.

9. Treat it like a 6-8 week job 

 

Savvy interns know that if they perform well, internships can often become a full-time position. Be at the top of your game every day.

There are countless benefits to interning, but it's important that you know what you are getting into. Take the chance and the stand to do so and the benefits will be amazing in the long run.