Internships

Yawkey Center for Student Services | 100 Bay State Road, Sixth Floor | Boston, MA 02215T: 617-353-3590 | E: future@bu.edu

bu.edu/careers | facebook.com/buccd | @BU_CCD

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Internship Basics 1 DefinitionofanInternship BenefitsandValue Internshipsvs.VolunteerPositions Compensation BostonUniversityInternshipFundingPrograms

Securing an Internship 3 WhenToApply PreparingfortheSearch TraditionalSearchMethods ProactiveSearchMethods Applying AcceptinganOffer

Maximizing Your Internship Experience 10 BeforetheInternship DuringtheInternship

Evaluating Your Internship Experience 12 PreparingforYourNextInternship SharingYourInternshipExperience

Resources 15 AdditionalBUCareerCenters BUInternationalStudents&ScholarsOffice(ISSO)

INTERNSHIP BASICSBostonUniversityandtheCenterforCareerDevelopment(CCD)staffencourageinternshipsasonewayforyoutoexplorepossiblecareerpathsandgaineducationalexperienceinaspecificfieldorindustry.Internshipsarebeneficialthroughoutyourcollegejourneyandmayoftenhelpyoumakekeydecisionsaboutyourprofessionalfuture.TheCCDsupportsyouasyounavigateallaspectsofcareerdevelopment.

DEFINITION OF AN INTERNSHIP Aninternshipisanopportunityforsupervised,practicalexperienceinacareerfieldofinterest.Internshipshelpyoutomakeconnectionsbetweenyourclassroomlearningandworkplaceexperience.Theyalsoprovideachanceforyoutogrowacademically,professionally,andpersonally.

BENEFITS AND VALUE Overall,internshipsareachancetoexploreandexpandyourskillsandopportunities.Theyareawonderful,hands-onwaytolearnmoreaboutacareerfieldorjobtypeandcanbeanimportantpartofyourexperienceatBostonUniversity.

Aninternshipcanhelpyou:• Explorecareeroptionsandexperiencefirst-handwhatafull-timejobinaparticularfieldmightbelike• Strengthenyourresume• Buildconfidenceinyourabilities• Meetpeopleintheindustryandbuildprofessionalconnections

INTERNSHIPS VS. VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

Asmentionedabove,aninternshipopportunity,whetherpaidorunpaid,focusesonprovidingvaluable,meaningful,andprofessionalfieldexperiencethatisstructuredaroundaspecificmajororfieldofstudyandcandirectlycomplementastudent’sclassroomlearning.

Volunteeringisusuallydoneforpersonalfulfillmentandenjoymentasastudentemployshis/herinterestsandskills.Thereisusuallynopayoracademiccreditinvolved,anditcanoccuronanon-goingbasisorforshort-termprojects.Manyvolunteeropportunitiesareaffiliatedwithnonprofitorcityagencies.

COMPENSATION

Unlikeasummerjob,aninternshipcanbepaidorunpaid.Asyouconsideropportunities,beawarethatthestandardsregardinginternshipcompensationhaveandcontinuetochangeastheyaredebatedinthecourtsystem.Thesestandards,althoughnotsetinstone,areintendedtoprotectinternsandensurethattheinternshipisaneducationalexperienceandtheprimarybeneficiaryistheintern.

Internshipexperiencesshouldprovideyouwiththeopportunitytoconnectyourclassroomlearningtotheworkplace,gainnewskills,andbuildprofessionalconnections.WeencourageyoutoreviewthefollowinginformationprovidedbyNACE:

NACE Position Statement on U.S. Internships: naceweb.org/connections/advocacy/internship_position_paper/

NACE: Appeals Court Vacates Ruling in Unpaid Internship Case: naceweb.org/internships/legal-ruling-unpaid-internships-learning-experience.aspx

Forquestionsregardinginternshipcompensation,pleasecontacttheCCDatfuture@bu.eduor617-353-3590.

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Please note that the Center for Career Development (CCD) reserves the right to reject any internship or job posting on Handshake.

PAID INTERNSHIPSInternpayratesvarybasedonthestudent’sexperience,theorganization,andtheindustry.

UNPAID INTERNSHIPS

Notallorganizationsareabletopayinternsandinsteadofferunpaidinternships.Unpaidinternshipsaren’tafeasibleoptionforallstudents.Thefollowingareafewfactorsthatyoucanuseinchoosingtoapplyforaninternship,particularlyanunpaidopportunity.

• Hours: Whataretheworkinghoursandtimecommitment,andhowflexibleistheschedule?Ifyouplantofindapart-timejobtohelpmeetyourfinancialneeds,thismaybeachallengeiftheinternshipisfulltimeorifthehoursaren’tflexible.

• Non-monetary benefits: Theinternshipmayprovideprofessionaldevelopmentopportunitiesaswellasassistancewithhousing,transportation,and/ormeals.

• Location:Ifyouhavetorelocatefortheinternshipandthereisnohousingstipend,youwouldhavetoweighthecostsofmovingandsummerhousing.Ifthisinformationisn’tavailableontheorganization’swebsiteorintheinternshippositiondescription,thenbesuretoaskduringtheinterviewprocess.

ACADEMIC CREDIT INTERNSHIPS

BostonUniversitydoesnotcurrentlyhaveaUniversity-widepolicyregardingacademiccreditforinternships;thevariousschoolsandcollegesdeterminetheirownpolicies.Itisyourresponsibilitytoworkwithyourschool/collegewhenpursuingacademiccreditforaninternship.

Ifyouhavequestions,speakwithyouracademicadvisororyourschool/college’scareeroffice,ifapplicable:bu.edu/careers/additional-boston-university-career-centers.

Forinternationalstudents,academiccreditinternshipsmayrequireCurricularPracticalTraining(CPT)orOptionalPracticalTraining(OPT)studentworkpermissions.Beforeacceptinganoff-campusinternshipyouwillneedtobecertainyourF-1orJ-1immigrationstatusallowsyoutobegin.Keepinmindthatoff-campusworkpermissionforinternationalstudentsintheUnitedStatesisquitelimited,applicationsforcertainemploymentauthorizationscanoftentakemonthstobeapproved,andthatyoumustalwayshavevalidemploymentauthorizationtobeginemployment.

Ifyouhavequestions,contacttheInternationalStudents&ScholarsOffice(ISSO):bu.edu/isso

BOSTON UNIVERSITY INTERNSHIP FUNDING

TheCCDisabletoofferfundingforsomestudentsparticipatinginunpaidinternships.

Formoreinformationaboutfundedinternshipprograms,visitourwebsite:bu.edu/careers

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SECURING AN INTERNSHIP

WHEN TO APPLY

Thetimelineforinternshipapplicationsdependsonyourfieldofinterest.Employerswithmoreformalized,competitiveinternshipprograms(e.g.,government-related,consulting,business,finance,etc.)oftenlaunchtheselectionprocessseveralmonthsinadvance.

Employersinotherindustriesmaypostinternshipopportunitiesastheybecomeavailable.Alwaysbeonthelookoutforpositionsofinterest.Additionally,itisimportantforyoutodoyourresearchwellaheadoftimesothatyouunderstandwhenapplicationswillopenandyouarepreparedtoapply.

PREPARING FOR THE SEARCH Byknowingyourselfandyourneedsandbyconductingresearch,youwillbeabletoidentifyyourprioritiessothatyouareapplyingforinternshipsthatareagoodfit.

SELF-DISCOVERY

Asafirststep,it’simportanttoidentifyyourskills,values,andinterests.Knowingyourselfwillhelpyoutoarticulatewhatyouwantandwhatyouhavetoofferandwillultimatelyleadtoamoresuccessfulinternshipsearch.

TheCCDoffersaSelf-DiscoveryWorkshopaswellasindividualcareercounselingappointmentstoguideyouthroughtheself-assessmentprocess.

Learnmoreaboutself-discoverytools:bu.edu/careers/self-discovery-tools/&bu.edu/careers/self-discovery/

CheckourcalendarforupcomingSelf-Discoveryworkshops:bu.edu/careers/calendar.

EXPLORING YOUR OPTIONS Afterdiscoveringwhatyou’reinterestedinandwhatmotivatesyou,thenextstepistolearnmoreaboutindustriesofinterest.Therearemanywaystodetermineifapossiblepathisa“yes,”a“no,”ora“maybe”—fromonlineresearchtoinformationalinterviews.Asyou’reexploring,considerthekindofenvironmentwhereyou’dliketowork,fromasmallnonprofittoalargecorporationandeverythinginbetween.

• Informational Interviews:Aninformationalinterviewinvolvestalkingwithpeoplewhoarecurrentlyworkinginyourfieldofinterest.Thishelpsyoutogainabetterunderstandingofaparticularjoborindustry,orevenaspecificorganization.

• BU Alumni: BUalumniareagreatresourceforexploringyouroptions.StartbyjoiningtheBUAAOfficialLinkedInGroupatlinkd.in/BUalumni.Researchalumniwithyourmajor,orwhoworkinanindustryofinteresttoseethecareerpaththeyhavefollowed.Considerconnectingwithalumni,whohavevolunteeredtospeaktostudentsabouttheircareers,throughtheCareerAdvisoryNetwork(CAN).

• Online Research:Peruseindustriesandorganizationsofinterest.Usesiteslikevault.com,businessweek.com,andwetfeet.comtoinformyourexploration.UsetheCCD’sonlineresourcesasanotheroption:bu.edu/careers/resources.

Formoreinformationonresearchingindustriesofinterestandexploringpossiblecareerpathsseeourwebsite:bu.edu/careers/research.

GATHERING APPLICATION MATERIALS Nowthatyouhaveasenseofwhatyou’relookingfor,yournextstepistohaveyourmaterialsreadysothatyoucanapplytoaninternshiponceitisposted.

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• Resumes:Priortoanyinternshipsearch,createabasicresumethatrelatestotheindustryorroleyouareseeking.Thentailoritforeachopportunitytowhichyouapply.Formoreinformationonresumesandhowtotailorthemforspecificopportunities,seeourwebsite:bu.edu/careers/resumes.

• Cover Letters:Youhavewrittenyourresumeasadocumentthatrepresentsyou,andthehiringmanagerhaswrittenapositiondescriptionthatreflectstheorganization’sneeds.Acoverlettertiesthemtogether.You’llneedatailoredcoverletterforeachpositiontowhichyouapply.Formoreinformationoncoverletters,seeourwebsite:bu.edu/careers/cover-letters.

• References:Lineupyourreferencesaheadoftime.Makesuretoaskseveralpeople;twotothreeiscustomary.Also,youmaywantdifferentreferencesfordifferenttypesofinternships.Thinkaboutpriorsupervisors,professors,oranyoneelsewhocanprovideastrongreference.Formoreinformationonreferences,seeourwebsite:bu.edu/careers/2015/02/12/references-101.

• Portfolios:Someemployersmightrequestaportfolioofyourwork.Chancesareyou’llknowifthisisthenorminyourindustry(e.g.,artsorjournalism).Speakwithyourprofessorsforguidanceonwhattoincludeandgathermaterialsincasetheorganizationrequestsaportfolio.

TRADITIONAL SEARCH METHODSThiscategoryofasearchisalsocalledareactivesearchbecauseyouareresponding(orreacting)toadvertisedpositions.

HANDSHAKEHandshakeisBU’sonlinehubforcareerresources.HereyoucansearchinternshippostingsfromemployerswhoarelookingforBUstudents.YouwillfindinternshipsfortheBostonarea,throughouttheUnitedStates,andaroundtheworld.BesuretocheckHandshakeregularly;newinternshipsareposteddaily.

• AccessHandshakeatbu.joinhandshake.com• TologintoHandshake:

• Clickontheblue“BostonUniversityStudentLogin”button• EnteryourBUusernameandKerberospassword

• Tobeginsearching,clickonJOBS&INTERNSHIPS.• Toviewspecificpositiontypes(suchasinternships),selectanoptionfromtheJOBTYPElist.• Tonarrowyoursearch,addadditionalfilters.Werecommendfillingoutonlyafewfields.Ata

minimum,includeEMPLOYMENTTYPE(full-time,part-time,etc.)andLOCATION.

CAREER FAIRS TheCCDhostsacareerfairatleastonceasemester.Organizationsinattendanceseekstudentsfrommanymajorsforinternshipopportunities.Studentsattendingcan:

• Learnmoreaboutcareerpaths/positions(advanceresearchisstronglyrecommended)• Meetandnetworkwithemployers• Collectliteraturefromorganizations• Submitaresume(totheorganizationsthatareacceptingthem)

InadditiontothosehostedbytheCCD,thereareadditionalfairsheldoncampusaswellasintheBostonarea.Tolearnaboutupcomingevents,visitbu.edu/careersandclickonUPCOMINGEVENTSfromthehomepage.

EMPLOYER INFORMATION SESSIONS, MEET & GREETS, AND MORE

Throughouttheacademicyear,recruiterscometocampustodiscusstheirorganizationsandopenpositions.Foralistofsessions,visitbu.edu/careers,clickonUPCOMINGEVENTSinthecenterofthepage,thenclickonINFORMATIONSESSIONSfromthelistontheright.WehighlyrecommendthatyouRSVPinadvanceonHandshake.

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ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEWS Eachsemester,recruiterscometoBUtointerviewselectedstudentswhoappliedfortheirinternshipsandfull-timepositionspostedinHandshake.Wepublicizetheseonourwebsitecalendar.ApplytothepositionthroughHandshakeandiftheemployerselectsyou,you’llbeabletoscheduleaninterviewthatwillbeheldattheCCD.TherecruitingseasontypicallybeginsinOctoberandrunsthroughApril.Thereareexceptions,however,solookforannouncementsofeventshappeningoffseason.Tosearchandapplyforon-campusinterviewpositions:

• LogintoHandshake,andclickonJOBS&INTERNSHIPS• UnderCATEGORIES,selectINTERVIEWINGONCAMPUS

NEWSLETTERS

TheCCDsharesinformationaboutupcomingeventsandprograms,featuredinternshipsandjobs,andhelpfultipsthroughaweeklye-newsletter.TheCCDCorner,whichhighlightsprograms,events,campusrecruitingdates,workshops,careertips,articles,andmore,issenttoallundergraduatestudentseachSundaythroughoutthefallandspringsemesters. ONLINE JOB BOARDS Therearemanylargedatabasesavailableonline,andmostincludeinternshipopportunities.Eachwillhavehundredsofpostingsorganizedbyindustryorlocation.Afewpopularonesinclude:

• internhub.internships.com• internmatch.com• idealist.org• college.monster.com• indeed.com

Formoreinternshipresources,seeourwebsite:bu.edu/careers/resources-internships.

NICHE WEBSITES Manysitesaregearedtospecificindustriesorcareerfields.Tofindonesforyourareaofinterest,visittheresourcessectionofourwebsite:bu.edu/careers/resources.LocateanindustryofinterestunderRESOURCESBYMAJORORFIELD.

CAUTION: FRAUDULENT POSTINGSTheCCDcarefullyscreenseveryemployerandinternship/jobpostinginHandshaketoensurelegitimacy.Occasionallyemploymentscamsoccur.Studentsshouldbevigilantandareurgedtohelpidentifyscams.Ifyoureceiveasuspiciousemailfromanemployer(eveniftheysayitisfromyourUniversityCareerServicesoffice),pleasedonotrespondtotheemailandcontactourofficeimmediatelyatbucareer@bu.edu.Herearesomegoodindicatorsthatthepositionismorethanlikelyascam:

• Youareaskedtogiveyourcreditcardorbankaccountnumbersorcopiesofpersonaldocuments,butyougetnothinginwriting.

• Youareaskedtosendapaymentbywireserviceorcourier.• Youareofferedalargepaymentorrewardinexchangefortheuseofyourbankaccount,oftenfor

depositingchecksortransferringmoney.• Youreceiveanunexpectedlylargecheck.Thisisthebiggestandmostcostlyscam.Ifyoureceivea

checkinthepostalmailfromanemployer,DONOTcashitorpursuetheoffer.PleaseturneverythingintotheBUPoliceDepartment.Thecheckmaylookrealbutitisnot.Youwillberesponsiblefortheentireamountofthecheck,plusanyfeesincurredbythebankwhentheyprocessitanddiscoverthatthecheckisfraudulent.

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsordoubtsregardinganinternship,pleasedonothesitatetocontactbucareer@bu.edu.5

PROACTIVE SEARCH METHODSAproactivesearchmeanstakingthetimetoresearchandtargetorganizationsofinterestratherthanwaitingforopeningstobepublicized.Therearemanywaystotakeaproactiveapproachtofindinganinternship,includingleveragingyourpersonalnetwork,reachingouttoBUalumni,joiningprofessionalassociations,andconnectingwithpotentialemployersonsocialnetworks.

NETWORKING

Networkinginvolvestalkingaboutyourcareergoals,seekingadvice,andspreadingthewordaboutyourselfandyourinterests,skills,andexperience.Beginbuildingyourprofessionalnetworkwithpeopleyoualreadyknow(e.g.,family,neighbors,friends,BUalumni,professors,etc.).Networkingcanhelpyoufindagreatinternshipopportunitythatmaynotbepostedonline.

• Initiating Contact• Don’tbeshyaboutaskingforhelp.Peoplegenerallylikehelpingothers.• Beforeyoureachoutdetermineyourgoals:Areyouseekingadvice,aninformationalinterview,

feedback?• Whenyoureachout,clearlyidentifyyourselfandnamethepersonwhoreferredyouorhowyou

foundthem(e.g.,CareerAdvisoryNetwork,LinkedIn,familymember,etc.).• Bespecificaboutwhyyouarecontactingthemandhowtheycanhelp.• Remember,networkingisnottheplacetoaskforaposition,butrathertoseekadvice,feedback,

andreferrals(whichhopefullywillleadtoaninternshipinterviewdowntheroad).• Remember To Follow Up

• ALWAYSsendathank-younoteoremail.Youwanttoberemembered.• Referencesomethingthatwasdiscussed.Forexample:Yoursuggestionto...wasveryhelpful;orI

tookyouradviceto...• Afteryouspeakwithyourcontact,askforadditionalcontacts.• Withyournote,considerincludingyourresume.Forexample:I’veenclosedacopyofmyresume.

Pleasefeelfreetopassitalongifyouhearofanyinternshipopenings.

Formoretipsonnetworking,seeourwebsite:bu.edu/careers/networking-interviews.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Usesocialmediatoincreaseyouropportunitiesfornetworkingandfindinganinternship.• LinkedIn: LinkedInconnectsyoutopeopleyouknowandletsyouviewtheirconnections,greatly

increasingpotentialnetworkingcontactsandinternshipleads.JointheBUAAOfficialLinkedInGroup(linkd.in/BUalumni).Thiscanbehelpfulnotonlyforresearchingindustriesasmentionedabove,butalsoforspeakingdirectlywithalumniabouttheircareerpathsandspecificinternshipexperiences.

• Twitter: Followorganizations,prominentemployees,professionalassociations,andindustrythoughtleaders.Re-tweetthem,tweetarticlesatthem,etc.Thisisagreatwaytonetworkprofessionally.Additionally,manyorganizationspostinternshipandjobopportunitiesdirectlytothesiteandsomeevenhavecareer-specifichandles.

• Facebook:Organizationsofallkindshavefanpages,asdoprominentemployeesandindustryleaders.AswithTwitter,interactwiththemandsharetheirpostsandarticlesonyourpage.“Like”thepagesoforganizationsofinteresttokeepaneyeoutforinternshipopportunitiestheymaypost.

CAUTION: Remember that posting information on any website means it is viewable by others.Evenwithverysecureprivacysettingsthereispotentialforyourinformationtobeseen.Manyemployerswillsearchthewebandviewyoursocialnetworkingprofiles.Thinkaboutwhatyoupostandtheimagethatyouarecreating.Agoodguidelineisifyouwouldn’tshowittoyourfamilymembersorprofessorthendon’tpostit.

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Formoretipsonnetworkingonline,seeourwebsite:bu.edu/careers/networking-virtually.

TARGETING EMPLOYERS

Anotherwaytofindinternshipsistostartwiththeorganization.• Identifyspecificorganizationsthatmatchyourselectedindustry,field,orpositionchoice.• Visittheseorganizations’websitestolookforinternshippostings.• Seekcontactswithintheseorganizationsforinformationalinterviews(useyournetwork).

STEPS FOR CONTACTING ORGANIZATIONS DIRECTLY Wealsorecommendthatyoutargetemployersofinterestbyreachingouttothemdirectly.

• Identifythecontactswithintheseorganizationsbycallingthemainnumberandaskingthereceptionistforthenameandtitleofthehiringmanagerand/orinternshipcoordinatorforthedepartmentinwhichyouareinterested.Youmayalsofindthisinformationbyresearchingtheorganizationonline,networkingwithfamily,friends,andalumni,andlookinguptheorganization’spageonLinkedIn.

• Developatargetedcoverletterthatincludestheskillsandexperiencesthatyoucanbringtotheorganization.

• Inapproximately1.5weeksfollowupbyphone,askingforthepersonyoucontactedinitially.Ifthepersonisnotopentodiscussinginternshippossibilities,youmaywanttoaskforaninformationalinterviewinsteadtogainfurtherinsightintothefield.Youmayalsoasktospeakwithoneoftheircolleagues.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS Aprofessionalassociationisanorganizationformedtounitepeoplewhoworkinthesameindustry,butfordifferentorganizations.Theyprovideopportunitiestomeetandtalkwiththosewhoshareyourprofessionalinterests.Plus,manyassociationshavereducedstudentfees.

• Reasons to Join: • Meetprofessionalswhoworkforavarietyoforganizationsinarangeofpositions• Accessmember-onlyinternship(andjob)postings• Showscommitmenttoyourfieldandlooksgreatonyourresume• Stayup-to-dateonissuesandtrendsinyourfield• Learnaboutandattendconferencesandmeetings

• How To Find the Best Professional Association for You:• Askprofessorsorprofessionalsforrecommendations• LookintheOccupationalOutlookHandbook(www.bls.gov/ooh)underthe“ContactsforMoreInfo”

tabofeachoccupationallisting• Lookonourwebsite(bu.edu/careers/resources)• Refertoadirectoryofprofessionalassociationsorganizedbycategoryatweddles.com/

associations/index.cfm

APPLYING

Beginsearchingforinternshipsassoonasyouknowyouwantone.Beforeyouapply,doyourhomework—learnabouttheorganization’sneeds,mission,andgoalstodiscoverhowyourskillsandbackgroundconnect.It’simportanttoknowasmuchaspossibleabouttheorganization,aswellasthepositiontowhichyouareapplying.Thisresearchwillhelpyouwriteamoretargetedandinformedresumeandcoverletter.

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Theorganization’swebsiteandsocialmediaaccountsaregreatplacestostartforthisinformation,asisnewscoverage(articles,reviews,pressreleases)relatedtotheorganizationanditsactivities.Youmayalsotalktoprofessorsorpeopleyouknowwhoareworkinginthefieldandmayknowabouttheorganization’sreputationandlatestachievements.Youcanalsolearnmoreaboutorganizationsbyusingresearchresourcesincluding:

• Businessweek.com• Hoovers.com• Vault.com• WetFeet.com

SUBMITTING APPLICATION MATERIALS

Onceyou’veidentifiedaninternshipyou’reinterestedin,you’llapplybysubmittingyourresumeandcoverletter.MakesureyousubmitPDFfilessothatyourformattingispreserved.Thereareseveralwaysofsendingthesedocumentstopotentialemployers:

• DirectlythroughHandshake,ifitwaspostedthere• Throughtheorganization’swebsite(onlineapplicationsystem)• Byemail,asattachments

Ifyouapplybyemail,attachyourcoverletteralongwithyourresumeasasingledocumentandwriteashortintroductionforthebodyoftheemail.Youcouldalsoincludeyourresumeasanattachmentandpasteyourcoverletterintothebodyoftheemail.Ineithercase,ensurethesubjectlineofyouremailclearlyindicatesthepositionforwhichyouareapplying.

INTERVIEWS

You’llprobablyinterviewatleastonceforaninternship.Forsomeorganizations,you’llmeetwithsomeonefromhumanresourcesaswellasfromtheareaordepartmentwhereyou’dbeworking,possiblywithyourfutureinternshipsupervisor.Theseinterviewsmighttakeplaceduringthesamevisitoronseparatedays.

Additionally,youshouldalwayspreparequestionstoasktheemployer.Thesequestionswillhelpyoudecidewhethertoaccepttheinternshipifit’soffered.Generally,yourturntoaskquestionswillcometowardtheendoftheinterview.Notaskingquestionsduringtheinterviewmaybeperceivedasalackofinterestinorunderstandingoftheposition.

Besuretolistenanddon’tasksomethingthathasalreadybeendirectlycovered,orisavailablefrominformationyoualreadyhave.It’sokaytoaskquestionsforclarificationpurposes,however,ifyouareunsureaboutsomethingyoureadwhilepreparingfortheinterview.

• Examples of Questions To Ask: • Pleasedescribeyouridealcandidate.• Whatwillmyresponsibilitiesandtasksentail?• WillIprimarilybeworkingonprojectsaloneorwithothers?• Iamveryinterestedinworkingon…gainingexperiencewith…WillIgetachancetodothathere?• WillIbeassignedtoonedepartment,orwillIbeworkinginvariousdepartments?• Whathasbeenyourexperiencewithpastinterns?Whathasmadethemsuccessful?• Whowillmysupervisor(s)be?Howoftenwillwemeettoreviewmywork?

• Examples of Questions NOT To Ask: • Whatdoesthisorganizationdo?Makesureyoudoyourresearchbeforehand.• WhencanItaketimeoffforvacation?Ifyouhavepriorcommitments,thisquestioncanbe

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• DidIgettheinternship?Instead,askaboutnextstepsregardingtheselectionprocess.• Howlongislunch?• Doesthisorganizationmonitoremail,socialmedia,orInternetusage?• Doyoudobackgroundchecks?• DoIgetmyownoffice?

Followingeachinterview,sendtheinterviewerathank-younote(byemailormail).Reiterateyourinterestintheinternship,referencesomethingfromthediscussion,andsharehowyoucancontributetotheinternshipororganization.

Needhelppracticingforyourinterview?StartwithBigInterview,a24/7onlineresourceaccessibleintheRESOURCESsectionofHandshake.Additionally,ourcareercounselorscanhelpyousharpenyourskillsthroughaone-on-onemockinterview.

ACCEPTING AN OFFER

Beforeyouchoosetoaccept,makesureyouareconsideringyourneedsaswellasallaspectsoftheoffer.Remember,youdon’tHAVEtoacceptaninternshipifitisofferedtoyou.

• The position:Doestheworkfitwithyourinterests,values,andgoals?Whattypeofmentoringorsupervisionwillyoureceive?Arethereopportunitiesforprofessionaldevelopment?

• The organization:Doyouliketheatmosphere,theculture,thepeople,andthescopeofwork?• The location:Whatisthecostofliving?Willyoubeabletoaffordthelivingexpenses?Isthecommute

manageableforyou?

Abestpracticeforallapplicantsistogetanofferinwriting.Yourofferlettershouldincludeapositiondescription,thenameofyoursupervisor,andinformationaboutyourcompensation.Onceyouhavereceivedawrittenofferfromanorganization,determinehowmuchtimeyouhavetoevaluateit.

Ifyouneedmoretime,letyourcontactknowyouareflatteredbytheirofferandneedanextensioninordertomakeaninformeddecision.Besureyouareexcitedabouttheofferandtheorganizationbeforeseekinganextension.Remember, it is not appropriate or professional to accept a position and withdraw at a later date.Thisbehaviorcanburnbridgeswithorganizationsandprofessionalsinthefield.

Onceyou’vemadeyourdecision,calltheemployertoverballyacceptyourofferandconfirmthedetailsofyourofferinwriting.Next,callallotherorganizationsyouhavereceivedoffersfromorhavehadinterviewswithtowithdrawfromtheirprocessortoturndowntheiroffers.

Beprofessionalandappreciative.Remember,youarenotrequiredtorevealanydetailsabouttheofferyouaccepted.

Ifyouhavequestionsonhowtoacceptordeclineaninternshipoffer,scheduleanindividualcareercounselingappointmentonHandshake:bu.joinhandshake.com.Additionalquestions?ContacttheCCDatfuture@bu.eduor617-353-3590.

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MAXIMIZING YOUR INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE Congratulationsonsecuringaninternship!Beforeyoustarttakesometimetothinkabouthowtomakethemostofyourexperience.

BEFORE THE INTERNSHIP Contactyoursupervisortoaskifthereisanythingyoucandotopreparebeforeyouarrive.Aretherematerialsyoushouldreviewtostrengthenyourknowledgeoftheorganizationorposition?Confirmthedate,time,andlocationforyourfirstday.Additionally,askforthedresscodetodeterminewhattowear.

SET LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Priortoyourstartdate,wesuggestthatyouidentifyacademic,professional,andpersonallearningobjectivestohaveawell-roundedinternshipexperience.

• Academic learning objectivesareintendedtoallowyoutofurtherexploreorimplement,attheinternshipsite,conceptsyou’velearnedintheclassroom.Forexample,ifyouareinterninginaneducationalsetting,yourobjectivemightbetopracticeaspecificteachingtechnique.

• Professional learning objectivesarethoserelatedtoyourgrowthasaprofessionalortodevelopabettersenseofthefieldinwhichyouareinterning.Forexample,yourobjectivemaybetoconductatleastfiveinformationalinterviewswithvariousemployeesatyourinternshipsitetogetabettersenseoftheopportunitieswithinthatfield.

• Personal learning objectivesareintendedtohelpyoudevelopskillsforpersonalgrowthandenrichment.Forexample,yourobjectivemaybetolearnhowtomanageyourtimemoreefficientlyinordertobalanceschool,yourinternship,andinvolvementinstudentgroups.

Whilesomeinternshipsareverystructured,othersarenot.Youshouldmeetwithyoursupervisoratthestartofyourinternshiptodiscussyourlearningobjectives,identifyadditionalgoals,anddetermineanactionplanforachievingthem.

DURING THE INTERNSHIP Yourinternshipwillprovideachancetomeetnewcontacts,gainknowledge,anddevelopyourskills.Belowaresometipstoenhanceyourinternshipexperience:

• Meet with your supervisor regularly.Makesuretohavefrequentmeetings(perhapsweekly)whereyoucanshareexperiencesandlessonslearned(bothgoodandbad).Giveprogressreports,askquestions,getasenseofwhatworkliesahead,andreceivefeedbackonworkperformance,includingyourstrengthsandareasneedinggrowthanddevelopment.Itisimportanttomaintainanopenchannelofcommunicationandaddressanyconcernsinatimelyfashion.Beagoodlistenerandlearnasmuchasyoucanduringthesemeetings.

• Tackle all tasks with enthusiasm and a positive attitude.Completeallofyourworkassignmentswithenthusiasmandprofessionalism,regardlessoftheassignedtask.

• Avoid negativity.Youaredevelopingyourprofessionalreputationatthisinternship.Don’tcomplain,disrespectcoworkers,arrivelate,leaveearly,missdeadlines,wearimproperattire,actunprofessionally,appearinflexible,and/ortakepartinofficepolitics.

• Learn more about the organization/industry.Takeeveryopportunitytoattendorganization/industrymeetings,conferences,andevents.Theseeventscanhelpyoutoincreaseyourknowledgeandbuildrelationships.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions.Thisisalearningexperience.Youarenotexpectedtoknoweverything.Seekadviceandraisequestionswheneveryouencountersomethingthatisnotfamiliartoyou.

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• Take initiative.Employersloveinternswhotackletoughproblemsandwhothinkcreativelytofindsolutions.Makesureyouworkwithyoursupervisor(s)soyoudon’toversteptheirauthority.

• Find a mentor.Amentorissomeoneatahigherlevelintheorganizationwholooksoutforyouandmakessureyouarelearningwhatyouneedtoknowandaccomplishingwhatyouneedtodo.Amentorcanalsoshieldyoufromofficepoliticsandbeagoodsoundingboardforyoutodiscussideas,askquestions,andmore.Yoursupervisorcouldbeyourmentor,butitcouldalsobeanotherpersonwithintheorganization.

• Network.Buildprofessionalrelationshipswithyoursupervisorandothersintheorganization.Speakwiththemtoobtainadviceandtips.Connectwithstaffbyconductinginformationalinterviewsandjobshadows.Taketheopportunitytomeetpeopleoutsideofyourdepartmentandtoattendorganizationalsocialevents.Themoreyouareexposedtonewideasandnewpeople,themoreyou’lllearn.

• Leave your internship with tangible accomplishments.Onekeygoalforanyinternshipisleavingitwithsometangibleresults.Keeparecordofthethingsyouaccomplishedduringyourinternshipaswellasnewskillsyougained,equipmentortechnologyyoumastered,feelingsaboutyourwork(e.g.,whattasksyoulikedthemostandleast,etc.),andmore.Makenoteofjobfunctionsorareasofexpertiseyouwereexposedtothroughyourobservations,evenifyoudidn’tdothosethingsyourself.Thiswillhelpasyouupdateyourresumeforfutureopportunities.Youcanalsodocumentyourexperiencebycreatingaportfolio,whichcouldincludecopiesofprojectsyou’veworkedon,informal/formalevaluations,etc.(justbesuretogetpermissionfromyoursupervisorfirst).

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIESAtthebeginningofyourinternship,youremployershouldorientyoutotheorganizationandprovideinformationabouttheorganization’smission,structure,policies,andmore.Itisimportanttoreadthroughanyorientationandorganizationalmaterials(e.g.,HRhandbook)andtoaskquestionsastheyarise.

HOW TO NAVIGATE A DISAPPOINTMENT

Ifyoufindthatyourinternshipisn’tasitwasdescribed,theremightstillbewaystoimprovethesituation.Beawarethatitmightbeamatteroftiming;thesupervisorcouldbeplanningtoincreaseyourresponsibilitiesasyoulearn.

• Meetwithyoursupervisor.Re-establishgoalsandbeclearaboutwhatyoubothhaveagreedtoregardingyourrole.Articulatewhatyouhavefoundthat’sdifferentfromwhatyouwereexpecting.

• Graduallyaskformoreresponsibilityandactivelylookforthingstodo.Clarifyyourtasksandobligations.Basedontheskillsyouwanttodevelop,suggestpotentialprojectsthatwillexposeyoutodevelopingtheseskills.

• Ifthereareotherinterns,developrelationshipswiththemtoserveassupport.

Whetheryoustaywithanunsatisfactoryinternshipwilldependonhowfaralongyouareaswellasifyoucanaddressyourconcernswithyoursupervisor.Ifyoufeelthesituationcannotimproveandyoudecidetoleaveyourinternship,dosopolitelyanddiplomaticallyandmakesuretogivethecustomarytwo-weeknotice.Nomatteryourfeelings,alwaysmaintainaprofessionalattitude.

Ifyouhavequestionsregardingadisappointingorchallenginginternship,scheduleanindividualcareercounselingappointmentonHandshake:bu.joinhandshake.com.Pleasenote,counselingappointmentscantakeplaceinpersonorbyphone(ifyouarenotintheBostonarea).Additionalquestions?ContacttheCCDatfuture@bu.eduor617-353-3590.

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BEFORE YOUR INTERNSHIP ENDS

Anappropriateoff-boardingprocessprovidesclosureandhelpsconcludetheinternshipexperience.Beforetheinternshipconcludes,youshould:

• Confirmyourlastday• Transferanyprojectsbacktoyoursupervisor• Returnanyorganizationalproperty• Thankyoursupervisorandotherstaffmembersfortheirroleduringyourinternshipexperience• Askyoursupervisorwhetherhe/shewouldbewillingtobeareference• Stayintouchwithindividuals(e.g.,supervisors,co-workers,otherinterns,etc.)afteryouleave.Connect

withthemonLinkedIn.

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EVALUATING YOUR INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE Reflectingonaninternshipcanbeasvaluableasdoingitinthefirstplace.It’simportanttoevaluateyourinternshipexperienceanddetermineifthisisacareerpathyou’dliketocontinuetofollow.

Considerthefollowingquestionsasyoureflectonandevaluateyourinternship:• Whatwereyourgoalsandlearningobjectivesanddidyouaccomplishthem?• Whatarethespecifictasksorprojectsyoucompleted?• Whatskillsdidyougainorfurtherdevelop?• Didyouhaveanopportunitytoobserveorspeakdirectlytoprofessionalsinpositionsofinterest?Ifnot,

identifypeoplewithwhomyoumightspeak.• Doyouthinkyouwouldliketodothejobyouobservedyoursupervisororsomeoneelsedoing?• Howdidyouliketheworkenvironment(i.e.,thetypeoforganization,location,atmosphereorculture)?• Whatdidyoulearnaboutyourownpersonalityasyoudealtwithcoworkersandsupervisorsorwith

clientsandcustomers,ifapplicable?• Whatwasthemostimportantthingyoulearnedfromthisexperience?• Isthisacareeroptiontoconsiderorruleout?

Ifyouhaveabadexperience,it’sbesttolookatitasalesson.Askyourselfwhatthemismatchbetweenyouandtheorganizationorinternshiptaughtyou.Youcanusethatinformationtohelpidentifywhat’simportanttoyou.Forexample,ifthetypeofstructure(orlackthereof)causedstressduringyourinternship,thisisprobablyanopportunitytoreflectonthetypeofworkenvironmentthatworksbestforyou.

Internships,whetherpositiveornegative,areinstructiveinhelpingyouidentifyyourneedsinaworksituation.Ifyouleavefeelingnegative,besuretoworkthroughthesefeelingsbeforemovingonsotheydon’tundermineyournextopportunity.

PREPARING FOR YOUR NEXT INTERNSHIP Theskillsandknowledgethatyougainedduringyourinternshipwillhelpyoutoidentifywhatopportunitiesyoumightwanttoexplorenext.

Aspreviouslymentioned,werecommendthatyoukeeparecordofthethingsyouaccomplishedduringyourinternshipaswellasnewskillsyougained,equipmentortechnologyyoumastered,andmore.Thiswillbetterenableyoutoupdateyourresume,sothatyouarereadytoapplytonewinternshipopportunitiesastheyareposted.YoucanhaveyourresumereviewedduringtheCCD’sResumeandCoverLetterReviewHours (bu.edu/careers/resume-cover-letter-reviews/).

Ifyouenjoyedtheinternship,lookforwaystocontinuegainingexperienceinthatarea.Startsearchingand/orapplyingforanotherinternshiporpart-timejobinthatfield.

Ifyoudidn’tliketheinternshipsetting,theresponsibilities,thefieldorindustryasawhole,scheduleanindividualcareercounselingappointmentwithamemberoftheCCDstafftodiscussalternativeareasinthatfieldordifferentcareeroptionstotryoutinyournextinternship.YoumayscheduleanindividualcareercounselingappointmentonHandshake:bu.joinhandshake.com.

SHARING YOUR INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

Atfutureinterviews,youwillbeaskedaboutyourinternship.Startpreparingnowbydiscussingyourinternshipexperiencewithothers(e.g.,friends,professors,CCDstaff,etc.).Thiswillhelpyoutoreflectfurtheronyourinternshipandclearlyarticulatewhatyoulearnedandaccomplished.

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Inadditiontoinformalconversations,youcanshareyourexperiencewithotherTerriersthroughtwoCCDinitiatives:theinternshipseriesandtheSummerExperienceShowcase.

INTERNSHIP SERIES

YourinternshipstorycouldbefeaturedontheCCDwebsite.VisitourwebsitetoreadaboutBUstudents’internshipexperiences:bu.edu/careers/about-us/news/internship-series.Ifyouareinterestedinsharingyourstory,contactusatfuture@bu.edu.

SUMMER EXPERIENCE SHOWCASE

TheSummerExperienceShowcaseisanannualpeer-to-peereventthattakesplaceduringthefallsemester.Studentparticipantsshareinsightandinformationabouttheirsummerexperiencewiththeirpeersaswellaspracticetheirpublicspeakingskillsandnetworkwithotherstudents.

Tolearnmoreortovolunteerasaparticipant,contactusatfuture@bu.edu.

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RESOURCES ADDITIONAL BU CAREER CENTERS

InadditiontotheCCD,severalofBU’sschoolsandcollegeshaveacareercenter.StudentsattheseschoolsandcollegesarewelcometousetheCCDaswellastheirowncareeroffice.

ViewafulllistofadditionalBUcareercenters: bu.edu/careers/additional-boston-university-career-centers/

BU INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS & SCHOLARS OFFICE (ISSO)

InternationalstudentsshouldcontacttheBostonUniversityInternationalStudents&ScholarsOffice(ISSO)forinformationaboutworkauthorization.

LearnmoreabouttheInternationalStudents&ScholarsOffice:bu.edu/isso/

SOURCES

Hamline University http://www.hamline.edu/cdc/

San Diego Mesa College http://www.sdmesa.edu/students/services/career-center/internships