wetfeet magazine fall 2012

Magazine

CAREERS ///// INTERVIEWING ///// EMPLOYERS ///// RESUMES

Off The Beaten PathCreate a unique internship that you’ll love

TURN THATINTERNSHIP INTO A

Full-time

JobTOP 100MOST POPULAR INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS

12Inside stories from former

interns

Learn to Negotiate

Intern

SOLVINGPROBLEM

INTERNSHIP LEGAL?

LIKE A PRO

Is your

SUMMER INTERNSHIPS // SKYPE INTERVIEWS // VIRTUAL INTERNSHIPSAlso:

2 MAGAZINE | FALL 2012 WETFEET.COM

We want to hear from you. What companies would you be excited about working for? How much money do you expect to make? What types of benefits make a company an ideal place to work?

Don’t miss your chance to share your opinions and expectations about your future career. Be on the lookout for the 2013 CAREER BENCHMARK in December.

Turn to pages 14–15 to see the results of last year’s survey and see which companies students voted for the Top 100 internship rankings.

IF YOU COULD HAVE THE CHANCE TO WORK FOR ANY EMPLOYER IN THE WORLD, WHO WOULD IT BE?

FALL 2012 | MAGAZINE 3WETFEET.COM

We want to hear from you. What companies would you be excited about working for? How much money do you expect to make? What types of benefits make a company an ideal place to work?

Don’t miss your chance to share your opinions and expectations about your future career. Be on the lookout for the 2013 CAREER BENCHMARK in December.

Turn to pages 14–15 to see the results of last year’s survey and see which companies students voted for the Top 100 internship rankings.

IF YOU COULD HAVE THE CHANCE TO WORK FOR ANY EMPLOYER IN THE WORLD, WHO WOULD IT BE?

WETFEET MAGAZINE IS A MEDIA PROPERTY OF UNIVERSUMUniversum's media portfolio also includes WetFeet.com, Universum Top 100 and UniversumTop100.com. Read more about Universum on universumusa.com

Entire contents copyright 2012, UniversumAll rights reserved.

UNIVERSUM129 West 29th Street5th floorNew York, NY 10001www.universumusa.comPhone: 917.793.0337Fax: 215.546.4991

CEO Petter NylanderPresident, Americas Melissa Murray BaileyGlobal Director of Media Sanna BurmanProduction Manager Liza AndersinEditor Katharine Lynn

Cover photo Christan GustavssonModel Rabia Baloglu

CONTRIBUTORSPat Olsen Liz SeasholtzLindsay J. Westley

Copy Editor: Mike Liechty (www.toallagoodwrite.com)

UNIVERSITY RELATIONSChristopher Campellone MARKETING, EVENTS, AND PRJonas BarckKristina Matthews

SALESKarl-Johan HasselstromCamille KellyKortney KutsopVicki Lynn

For information about advertising in Universum publications, please contact Jonas Barck, [email protected]

Universum’s goal is to improve communication and understanding between employers and young professionals. Our annual Undergraduate, MBA, Diversity, and Young Professional surveys are answered by more than 400,000 people in 32 countries.

IT’S ALL ABOUT INTERNSHIPS

As a recent college graduate, I can speak to the importance of internships and the vital role they play in the job search. I have had my share of internships over the years—some wonderful, others not so positive. What set the great experiences apart from the rest? I was given the opportunity to learn, figure out what I liked and what I didn’t like about an industry, and feel like I was contributing something valuable to my employer.

As many of you have learned—or will learn—unpaid internships often seem like the only option in many industries. Unpaid internships are a hotly contested issue—on one hand, they provide students

with the opportunity to learn, network, and pad their resumes; on the other hand, unpaid internships seem to take advantage of skilled, if inexperienced, students. Instead of debating the pros and cons of unpaid internships, we have decided to offer some tools and advice to help make the decision easier—read Negotiate Like a Pro on pages 8-9.

We also wanted to introduce some new ideas to the concept of internships. If you’re not excited by the thought of spending your summer in an office, turn to Do It Yourself on pages 6-7 to learn how you can craft your own unique internship experience based on your hobbies and interests. Or, turn to page 12 to hear the pros and cons of going totally digital in Virtual Internships.

Although summer feels like a long way away, it’s never too early to start planning ahead! Read Summer Internships on page 7 to learn what important steps you should be taking throughout the winter to ensure that you make the most of your summer. And turn to Internship as Interview on pages 10-11 to learn what you can do to increase your chances of returning to a company as a fulltime employee.

Universum’s Top 100 Internship Rankings (pages 14-15) for a sneak peak at what your fellow students have to say about their ideal internship employers. We’ve also talked to 12 employees at these top companies for their insights about what it’s really like to work at these companies and how their experiences as interns got them to where they are today.

Internships should be a give and take – interns should not be considered free labor and should be compensated in some way, but they should also be given the chance to do work that is beneficial to the company. We hope that with these tips and tricks we’ve provided, you’ll find an internship that works for you.

Katharine Lynn Editor

LETTER from the EDITOR


Learn more about MAIP and nd the application at

The 2013 Student Application is now live!The deadline is 5 pm EST on December 15, 2012


TABLE of

CONTENTSDO IT YOURSELF: THE HOW-TO GUIDE TO CREATING YOUR OWN INTERNSHIP

IS YOUR UNPAID INTERNSHIP LEGAL?

VIRTUAL INTERNSHIPS: THE PROS AND CONS

THE DOS AND DON’TS OF SKYPE INTERVIEWS

SUMMER INTERNSHIPS: WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW

TOP 100 INTERNSHIP RANKINGS

PAGE 6-7PAGE 7

PAGE 11

SECRETS TO SUCCESS: INTERN TO FULLTIME IN NO TIME

PAGE 10-11

PAGE 9

INTERNSHIP AS INTERVIEW

NEGOTIATE LIKE A PRO

PAGE 8-9

OVERCOMING TOP INTERN CHALLENGES

PAGE 12

PAGE 12

PAGE 14-15

12 INSIDE STORIES FROM FORMER INTERNS

PAGE 16-29


DO IT YOURSELF THE HOW-TO GUIDE TO CREATING YOUR OWN INTERNSHIP

Fetching coffee and photocopying docu-ments during the summer? No thanks, say the students who elect instead to

hobnob with shrunken heads and six-legged cows as interns at Ripley’s Believe it Or Not! in New York City. Others prefer the crum-bling walls and eerie echoes at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, whose prison gates open wide to admit interns — as long as you don’t mind sharing your cubicle with the ghosts of inmates past.

But if shrunken heads and haunted prisons aren’t your thing and you’re less than excited about shuffling papers all day, there’s another alternative: Create your own internship.

“It’s not an entirely new concept,” says Yair Riemer, vice president of global market-ing at TweetMyJobs and Internships.com, “but it’s one that requires the confidence to

target specific companies where internships don’t currently exist. You have to have a high level of curiosity, good research skills, and the confidence to pitch your ideas.”

Mark Babbitt, CEO and founder of YouTern, a resource for connecting young tal-ent to mentors and internships, agrees. “It all starts with confidence and the willingness to hustle,” he says. “Employers might not want to bother with posting a job description and going through the motions of hiring — but that doesn’t mean companies aren’t looking for interns. If you can present a convincing argument for why a company needs your spe-cific skill set, you’re likely to be successful.”

Creating your own internship isn’t as easy as calling up the CEO of your favorite com-pany, though — and in many ways, crafting your own summer job is a lot harder than fit-ting into an existing position. You have to be

self-motivated, organized, and have a realistic view of the skills you can offer to a company before presenting yourself as the best intern they never knew they needed. It all starts with a plan, say Babbitt and Riemer, who offered a few helpful guidelines for crafting your own rocking internship for this summer. (Hint: Start thinking about it now!)

RESEARCH…YOURSELFNow is a great time to honestly evaluate your strengths and weaknesses to see where you’d be a good fit. “Most of us are very good at what we truly like, so maybe start there,” ad-vises Babbitt. “You want to really know what you can offer a company before you approach them.” Standardized personality tests can help you with the basics, but nothing beats a good healthy interest for a particular industry or brand.

By Lindsay J. Westley


RESEARCH THE COMPANYDig in deep to really get a handle on what your dream company actually does and believes. “If you only read the ‘about us’ sec-tion, you’re only seeing what the company wants you to know about them,” Babbitt says. “Track social media if you want to get a handle on their branding and to see how they really treat people. Pay attention to the company’s mission, and try to figure out its strengths and weaknesses. If you can figure out how you can help solve a problem they’re having, you’ll have a great advantage.”

REACH OUT If you managed to score a meeting with the HR director with one phone call, great. If not, “reach out to a specific department and ask if you can meet with the head of the depart-ment,” advises Riemer. “Also, call after hours. The people who make the decisions are still there after 5:30, but the barriers are down since the staff on hand to answer the phones have usually gone home.”

If you’re not sure what kind of reception you’ll get if you pitch a job description right off the bat, try asking for an informational inter-view. Once you’re in the door, ask your inter-viewer questions — don’t assume you’re there because he or she wants to hear all about your life. “A CEO doesn’t need to learn from your experience — they’ve been there, done that,” says Riemer. “Most people love to talk about what they do, particularly if they’re really pas-

SUMMER INTERNSHIPS: WHAT YOU CAN DO NOWBy: Liz Seasholtz

LET’S FACE IT: This time of year, your sum-mer vocation is not top of mind—there are holiday cookies to be eaten and sales to be shopped. But there are some steps you can take now to be prepared in advance of those looming spring applica-tion deadlines.

TALK UP YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS ON PAST INTERNSHIPS. While you’re enjoying their company this December, see if there’s any career advice to be reaped. If your high school friend landed an awesome internship at an ad agency last summer, ask for advice of how you can follow suit.

UPDATE (OR WRITE) YOUR RESUME. Take the time to make sure your resume is up to date and ready for career center review-ing this spring.

RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH. A lot of companies have internships but don’t post them on mass job boards. Research companies in your area and go to their individual job websites to learn about their summer internship opportunities. Create a bookmark list of companies so you’re ready to apply in the spring.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR CAREER FAIRS. Your school’s career center posts this informa-tion well in advance of the actual date. Make a note in your Google calendar.

RETHINK SOCIAL MEDIA. We know, you’ve heard it before: clean up your online presence. But in addition to taking down the beer pong photos, start following po-tential employers and their HR depart-ments on Twitter and Facebook. You’ll gain valuable company-specific talking points for future interviews—not to mention, they may share interview tips and remind you of application deadlines.

sionate about their job. Ask them for advice and how they landed in their current position, and most people will be happy to oblige.”

GO IN WITH A PLANNow that you’re sitting across from the CEO, how are you going to help solve the company’s biggest problem through your internship?

“Be prepared to answer those types of questions, and even if you can’t solve every problem, think about what skills you could offer to help out the higher-ups so they can address even bigger problems,” Babbitt says. Maybe that means spending 15 hours per week manning the social media channels so that the VP has more time to work on strat-egy. “Think about it in terms of providing an answer to the CEO’s silent question, which is ‘what’s in it for me?’”

PUT IT DOWN ON PAPERFor the sake of everyone involved, don’t an-chor your summer internship on a handshake and a smile. “Write it all down,” advises Babbitt. “Write down what you’ll be doing, for how long, during what hours, and most of all, your expectations and what you both hope to get out of the internship. Do this before you talk about hours or pay so that you can set expectations for your employer and for you. It doesn’t have to be a formal contract, but if you have an outline written down, you’ll have a template to keep everyone happy.”

“Be prepared to answer those types of questions,

and even if you can’t solve every problem,

think about what skills you could offer to help out the higher-ups so

they can address even bigger problems”


THIS IS IT: You’re wearing your best suit, your palms have finally stopped sweating, and you’ve answered all of your interviewer’s questions to the best of your ability. “Con-gratulations!” your interviewer says. “We’d love to hire you as our intern this summer. By the way, you know the internship is unpaid, right?”

Now what? Do you grab your resume and bolt? Swallow your expectations and look forward to an austere summer filled with brown-bag lunches and (hopefully) meaning-ful work? Or do you take a deep breath and prepare to negotiate?

Victoria Pynchon, cofounder and princi-pal of She Negotiates Consulting and Train-ing, has one word for you: Negotiate. A law-yer, mediator, speaker and writer, Pynchon coauthors a popular Forbes.com blog titled “She Negotiates,” and is a fierce advocate for informed debate via her blog and a Twitter feed called simply @PayGenY.

“You should never have to work for free,” Pynchon says. “You’re already carrying the

Unpaid internships are often seen as valuable work experience and resume fodder, but they aren’t the only option. Here are some valuable tips and tricks for talking your way into a paid internship. By Lindsay J. Westley

greatest educational burden of anyone in his-tory, so we should not expect you to pay for your on-the-job training.”

THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS to the rule though, says Lauren Stiller Rikleen, executive-in-residence at Boston College Center for Work & Fam-ily, and founder of the Rikleen Institute for Strategic Leadership.

“If you’re after a position in a highly competitive job market with few jobs, intern-ships are a chance to develop relationships and stand out from your peers,” she notes. “Sometimes it’s worth it if you can clearly see that the educational benefits are significant, or if you just wouldn’t get that kind of experi-ence elsewhere.”

Pynchon agrees, and advises that certain organizations, like not-for-profits or very small companies, may not have the resources to pay interns. For companies solidly in the black though—some of which have been known to bill interns’ hours to clients while paying the intern nothing—Pynchon advo-

NEGOTIATELIKE A PRO

cates fierce negotiation. Here are some of her top tips for negotiating when you’re staring down the barrel of an unpaid internship:

1. ASK DIAGNOSTIC QUESTIONS: When you go in for your interview, ask open-ended questions about how you can be put to the best possible use at that company. If you know they’re looking for specific skills, like Photoshop or SEO savvy, then you’re better equipped to sell your own skills — and the reasons why you deserve to be paid.

2. BELIEVE IN YOUR UNIQUENESS:Pynchon says that you may have the same degree as thousands of other candidates, but that those candidates don’t have your quali-ties or your unique talents. “Everyone who is granted an interview will be qualified,” she says. “They wouldn’t be there for an inter-view if they weren’t. So figure out what your unique talents are, and play them up.”

3. BE LIKEABLE:It might seem impossible to be friends with a person you’ve just met, but Pynchon says it’s easier than you think: Just turn the tables. You think an interview is all about you? You’re wrong, she says. “Be interested in your interviewer. Ask him or her a million


questions. Everyone needs something—that’s why they’re advertising for this position—so ask about the company’s biggest challenges, and then figure out how you can make that person’s life easier by alleviating that stress.”

4. DO YOUR RESEARCH:Most negotiators advise you to never name the first number. Pynchon disagrees. “When you know what you’re worth, you can anchor high and start the conversation,” she says. “Look at glassdoor.com. Look at salary.com. Tell your interviewer, ‘It’s my understand-ing that the market value for this job is $X.’ Then aim high.” She recommends starting three moves ahead of where you want to end up—so if you want to make $20/hour, give $25/hour as your opening number. Your in-terviewer will likely counteroffer $15 and you can meet in the middle at $20, both feeling like you’ve come out on top.

Few people feel comfortable practicing the art of negotiation, but faced with the alterna-tive—months of unpaid work that may or may not pay off with intangible benefits—it’s worth a shot. The worst thing that can happen is to have your interviewer say no, and if that hap-pens, you can either weigh up the intangibles, or walk away from the bargaining table with self-respect intact, ready for the next round.

G GNOT ENOUGH WORK Part of the reason you took the internship in the first place was to gain valuable work experience, so it can be extremely frustrating when you aren’t getting that – especially if you aren’t being paid! Interns are often faced with the problem of not having enough work, or being given “busy work” that doesn’t really add value to the company.

BE PROACTIVE. If you find that you’re finish-ing projects before lunchtime, don’t spend the rest of your day on Facebook – speak up! There are most likely projects that you could be doing, and your employer might be grate-ful for the help. Better yet, if there is a specific department you’re interested in, grab lunch with a colleague from that department and ask about what projects she’s working on. Schedule a meeting with your boss and share your interest in helping with some of those projects—your supervisor may appreciate the initiative and you’ll be able to do work you enjoy. Just be careful about what you consider “busy work” – there’s a difference between work that is clearly meant to keep you busy, and necessary (albeit boring) tasks that are both beneficial to the company and that are part of your job description.

NOT ENOUGH DIRECTIONWhat if you get an assignment from your supervisor that is completely unclear – you don’t want to be annoying or get in anyone’s way, but you also have no idea what you’re doing! Do you call up your boss for what feels like the tenth time to clarify the assignment, or try to figure it out on your own?

DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS. Some-times it’s easy for supervisors to forget that you’re new to the industry, but it’s really important to reach out for help when you need it. Your employer will understand that

you’re not an expert, especially if you’re starting a brand new project. Just about any employer would rather answer questions during the process than have to clean up the results of a mistake that could have been avoided. The only kinds of questions that will irritate employers are ones that have already been answered – so pay attention and take notes the first time to avoid making your boss repeat herself!

NOT ENOUGH FEEDBACK It has been a few weeks, you have just the right amount of work, and don’t have any specific questions about any projects you’re working on—but you have had no feedback from your supervisor, good or bad. You really want to know if there is something you can improve upon, but you have no idea how you’re really doing – do you keep quiet and assume that no news is good news?

FIND A MENTOR AND SET UP WEEKLY MEETINGS. The best way to get feedback is to actively seek it – set up weekly meetings with your supervisor so you can check in and make sure your expectations are aligned. Ask for feed-back and ways you can improve your work. Not only will this alleviate some stress and frustration on your part, but your supervisor will also appreciate your conscientiousness. Send a recurring calendar invite so that the meeting is always in both of your calendars—this way, it won’t feel like you’re bothering your boss when you do need to talk.

MANY OF THESE scenarios can be avoided by tak-ing simple steps before you start your intern-ship to ensure that you and your employer are on the same page – communicating what you hope to gain from the internship, as well as what sort of skills you can offer and what kind of projects you’ll be working on, will make a huge difference in your experience.

GGEE EE

TOP INTERN CHALLENGES

What happens when your internship doesn’t quite live up to your expecta-tions? Don’t feel like your only option is to spend your summer miserable—here are three common internship hurdles and ways to overcome them.


Congratulations! You’ve nabbed an internship. Your preparation and hard work paid off. But if you think you can

rest on your laurels now, think again. You need to be just as savvy during your intern-ship as you were in obtaining it.

Lauren Berger, 20-something author of All Work, No Pay: Finding an Internship, Building Your Resume, Making Connections, and Gaining Job Experience, calls herself The Intern Queen. And rightfully so—Berger had 15 of them during college. She says in her book that an internship is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and that you should use it as a springboard to your future.

We talked to a variety of career experts about how to make the most of your intern-ship. Here is their insight and advice:

What should interns remember above all else?When you started college, you may have heard that “showing up”—attending class— is the number one item crucial to success. When it comes to an internship, it’s attitude, hands down, says Lee E. Miller, career columnist for

The New Jersey Star-Ledger and founder of employability-expert.com.

“Attitude is critical,” according to Miller. Most interns are qualified to actually do the work, because they self-select into areas for which they are qualified and because employ-ers select interns they might want to employ. So, Miller continues, what makes the differ-ence in who gets hired is how you approach the position. Miller recommends that you demonstrate a positive ‘can-do’ attitude by: 1) doing outstanding work, 2) going out of your way to look for work by asking individu-als if they need help, 3) coming in early and staying late when people are working under a deadline, 4) showing curiosity by asking questions, without becoming a pest and 5) smiling and always being positive.

What can an intern do to start on the right foot?Author Berger recommends that you make sure everyone in your department knows who you are. (If that’s not realistic, at least try for those people who are relevant to your position.) Further, if someone doesn’t take

you around the office and introduce you, take yourself around. And start keeping track of people you might consider professional contacts.

Connie Thanasoulis-Cerrachio, cofounder of career coaching and consulting firm SixFigureStart®, suggests you get to know your colleagues by asking simple, open-ended questions like: “How did you get your start here?” and “What are the two or three critical skills you need to succeed here?” Also, get to know people in departments that your department depends on or feeds information to. “If no permanent openings are available in your department, perhaps there will be open-ings in a related group,” she adds. Her final tip? “If you’re shy, put a candy dish on your desk. You’ll make many friends in the office – especially after 3:30 p.m.”

If an intern really wants to be proactive, what else can he or she do?Don Asher, author of Cracking the Hidden Job Market and The Overnight Resume, recom-mends that you find out how many prior interns were offered a permanent job at the organization. “If the answer is zero, then you are being exploited. You can keep going to work if you want, but more importantly, you should start looking for another internship

Turn that internship into a full-time job! Follow these tips to make the most of your summer experience and increase your chances of returning as a full-time employee.By Pat Olsen

INTERNSHIP AS INTERVIEW


or a job. If you get something better, walk out the door the minute you find it. You don’t owe that organization anything,” he says.

Don’t stop at simply finding out how many former interns were hired, he continues. If some interns were hired and others weren’t, sit down with your boss and pose the follow-ing: “I want to be one of the interns who is offered a permanent position with you. What do I need to do to make you comfortable advocating that I am one who is hired perma-nently?” Then, whatever your boss specifies, do it. “There is nothing wrong with making your ambition known,” he says, “especially when your ambition is to turn an internship into a job.”

What’s a big mistake some interns make?Expecting the employer to spoon-feed them. If you want to get hired, you need to show ini-tiative, advises Miller. “Most employers don’t have time to spend with interns unless they are adding value to the organization, which is why some students are disappointed with their internships. So you need to seek out opportunities to demonstrate your potential value to the organization through the work you do.”

Are there steps an intern should take as the internship ends?

SixFigureStart® executive Thanasoulis-Cerrachio suggests that you gather contact information to use when following up. “During your last week, ensure you have

Ask Yourself These 5 QuestionsBy: Liz Seasholtz

UNPAID INTERNSHIPS seem like a win-win: The employers get free labor and the interns get work experience and a glossy title to add to their resumes.

But unfortunately, many unpaid internships end up being legally ques-tionable: Interns walk away without a paycheck and without any new skills. Before you start your unpaid internship, ask yourself these 5 questions to test whether or not your internship is up to Uncle Sam’s (and the Department of Labor’s) standards.

1. DOES YOUR INTERNSHIP HAVE AN EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT? You won’t be sitting in a lecture hall and learning Workplace Lessons 101, but you should receive training and learn transferrable skills that you can use in future jobs. At the start of the internship your employer should outline goals and projects for your summer.

2. ARE YOU REPLACING A POSITION NORMALLY FILLED BY A FULLTIME EMPLOYEE? If so, this is a big red flag that the internship is illegal. For example, if an employer uses interns as substitutes for fulltime workers during a busy season, the interns need to be paid.

3. WILL YOU WORK CLOSELY WITH A SUPERVISOR AND LEARN FROM OTHER EMPLOYEES? You should have a defined supervisor and receive more direction than fulltime employees. If you’re going to spend your days isolated in a cubicle, that’s a problem.

4. IS THE INTERNSHIP MORE BENEFICIAL TO YOU OR THE COMPANY? The answer should be you! Of course you’ll be helping around the office, completing projects, and participating in meetings, but at the end of the day the employer is getting free labor—and you should be getting industry exposure, learning new skills, and completing projects to add to your resume.

5. ARE YOU GUARANTEED A JOB AT THE END OF THE INTERNSHIP? Surprisingly, you should not be. The focus should be on learning, not on grooming you to be a full-time employee. Also make sure your unpaid internship has a fixed duration—you don’t want to still be the unpaid intern come next Thanksgiving.

IS YOUR UNPAID INTERNSHIP

LEGAL?

everyone’s email address by forwarding the addresses to your personal email and putting them in a folder identifying the company,” she explains. She has found that many interns fail to do this and have no way to follow up. Send an email thanking your main contacts for their help and let them know you’d like to stay in touch.

Thirty days after you leave, send an email updating the group on your progress at school, she adds. Follow up during the year by sending articles of interest, holiday greet-ings, and the like. But as Miller says, don’t overdo it.

Author Asher cites three takeaways you should shoot for. “You want a job offer, a letter of recommendation for your files, and evidence of a signature accomplishment—a project or work product you can point to and say, ‘I did that’,” he offers.

What if you don’t have a job offer when you leave?Candidates should always remain optimistic, insists Thanasoulis-Cerrachio. People will remember if you turn sour or are disgruntled. “Things may work out a year later, or five years later, when you’re already employed and making a good income. Networking is about establishing long term, mutually ben-eficial relationships of give and take, with the emphasis on the give. So look at every contact with a very long time horizon versus a short one that is dependent upon you getting what you want.”


FINDING TOP TALENT JUST GOT EASIER

GUARANTEED

HonorSource provides the customized solutions you need to recruit and retain the high caliber talent you want.

With access to a robust community of nearly one million

Learn about our exclusive Strategic Sourcing and Employer Branding Platforms at:

honorsource.com/recruit2012

I am still waiting on the �nal color for the folder but could you we liked the messaging with 3 lines, could the font size be the same as black folder one, (so smaller).

WHETHER OR NOT you’re applying for a remote position, more and more companies are inter-viewing candidates online. Not quite phone interviews, but not in-person interviews either, digital interviews require a few unique tricks in order to ensure success:

DON’T SHOW UP IN SWEATPANTSIt may be tempting to assume that you can dress extra casually because your interviewer can only see above the shoulders, but it’s important to make sure your clothes are interview-appropriate. Not only will you get into the right mindset, but you’ll also be pre-pared if you need to get up and walk across the room during the call.

CREATE A PROFESSIONAL ATMOSPHERE…Your interviewer does not want to see your unmade bed or messy bookshelf in the back-ground. Even if you don’t have an office at home, it’s important to create an atmosphere that is quiet, professional, and won’t distract from your interview. Test several spots using the camera on your computer until you find a blank wall or neutral background.

…AND DON’T FORGET TO ADJUST THE LIGHTINGMake sure that your light source is in front of you, not behind you—otherwise, your inter-viewer will only be able to see your silhouette.

DO A TEST RUNDon’t make the mistake of learning that your computer’s microphone is broken two minutes before your interview – always test your cam-era, microphone, and Internet connection well before your scheduled call. Add your inter-viewer to your contact list before the interview, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.

LOOK INTO THE CAMERA On Skype, it’s very common to look at the person you’re talking to on the computer screen, rather than directly into the camera—in fact, it feels very unnatural to look into the camera when someone on screen is speaking to you. Do your best to avoid to temptation to watch the screen. Although you know you are listening to and looking at your interviewer, it may seem to him as though you are gazing distractedly at something else.

ELIMINATE ONLINE DISTRACTIONSIt can sometimes be very tempting to multi-task online, but your interview should not be one of those times. Close any window that isn’t related to your interview so you aren’t dis-tracted. It may also be a good idea to set your Skype account to invisible once the interview starts, so you don’t receive other messages.

THE DOS AND DON’TS OF SKYPE INTERVIEWS

What to Know When You’re

Interviewing Online

AS THE WORKPLACE continues to become more flexible and advances in technology allow for telecommuting ease, the demand for virtual interns is growing. According to Smarter-Technology.com, intern search engines are reporting huge increases in the number of virtual internship postings. Urban Interns, for instance, says 40 percent of their listings are remote positions.

We checked in with Heather Huhman, career advice blogger, contributor and columnist, plus author of Lies, Damned Lies and Internships: The Truth About Getting From Classroom to Cubicle, about whether the work-from-home internship is all it’s cracked up to be. Here’s the breakdown:

PRO: No geographical limitations. Most remote internships can be performed anywhere with an internet connection. So if most positions in your industry are in New York but you can’t afford New York rent, virtual interning can solve your problem.

CON: Increased competition. Huhman says because there are no geographical boundar-ies, there’s going to be a nationwide pool of applicants for the job.

PRO: No commute. Commuting can be a hassle—not to mention a big expense.

CON: No chance to learn office etiquette. Part of what makes internships so great is they are often a student’s first foray in the working

world. By telecommuting, you’ll miss out on learning cultural norms at the office—like water cooler talk, eating in the lunchroom, and what to do when you run into the CEO in the hall.

PRO: Flexibility. Most virtual internships are not 9-to-5 gigs, so you can fit them into your schedule. “Many young professionals are also taking on large course loads, working part-time jobs, and involved in numerous clubs and student organizations,” says Huhman. “It makes commuting to an internship difficult, if not impossible.”

CON: Increased accountability. Just like students think online courses are “easier” than traditional classes, remote internships may seem like an easy option. But you need to have a strong work ethic and sense of accountability—just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you can slack off.

PRO: Comfort. You can work in your slippers. Enough said.

CON: No collegiality. Not being in an office means you can miss out on the opportu-nity to build your network, not to mention Friday happy hours. “In the office, you’re often forced to interact with different people because you see them on a regular basis,” says Huhman. Working online you’ll have to make a special effort to stay connected and form relationships.

VIRTUAL INTERNSHIPS THE PROS AND CONSInterning-from-home is on the rise, but it’s not the best option for every student. Here’s what to consider before you apply.

By Liz Seasholtz


Isabel Barros @IB_Barros

I just helped a student realize he can be what he thought he couldn’t.Best status update ever. #makebetterhappen

1h

FINDING TOP TALENT JUST GOT EASIER

GUARANTEED

HonorSource provides the customized solutions you need to recruit and retain the high caliber talent you want.

With access to a robust community of nearly one million

Learn about our exclusive Strategic Sourcing and Employer Branding Platforms at:

honorsource.com/recruit2012

I am still waiting on the �nal color for the folder but could you we liked the messaging with 3 lines, could the font size be the same as black folder one, (so smaller).


TOP 100 INTERNSHIPS

Last year, Universum surveyed nearly 60,000 undergraduate students from more than 320 universities

across the country. These students shared their opinions about their career goals, sal-ary expectations, and ideal employers and internship programs.

It probably comes as no surprise that Google once again tops the list of the Top 100 Internships. The company is widely known for putting a strong focus on inno-vation and work/life balance, both of which align seamlessly with today’s students’ ca-reer interests. Walt Disney Company took the second-place spot, followed by Gold-man Sachs. Ernst & Young and Deloitte rounded out the top five best internships.

These companies represent a variety of industries, so what is it about them that make their internship programs so attractive to today’s students? Is it the op-

Internships have become an integral component of the job search. Not only do they offer glimpses into various industries and companies,

but they also provide invaluable opportunities to build skills and network with industry experts. Students are focusing more and more on finding the perfect internship, perhaps with

the hope that it will lead to the perfect job.

portunity to do real, meaningful work and contribute value to an organization? Or is it the flexibility to balance the need for work experience with the demands of a busy student schedule? Perhaps it’s about the networking opportunities that are offered, or the hope that an internship might lead to a fulltime position.

We have interviewed employees to answer these questions: What makes these companies attractive, and why? What is it really like to intern and work at some of these top companies? Most of these employees were students not too long ago, and they have valuable insights and advice to share. As you flip through the following pages, you’ll hear from people who could be your future colleagues—listen to their stories, hear about what they liked and what they didn’t, and learn what you can do to help further your own careers.

1 GOOGLE

2 WALT DISNEY COMPANY

3 GOLDMAN SACHS

4 ERNST & YOUNG

5 DELOITTE

6 APPLE

7 PWC

8 NASA

9 BOEING

10 J.P. MORGAN

11 FBI

12 MICROSOFT

13 PROCTER & GAMBLE

14 KPMG LLP

15 GENERAL ELECTRIC

16 MAYO CLINIC

17 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

18 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

19 TEACH FOR AMERICA

20 UNITED NATIONS

21 NIKE

22 PEACE CORPS

23 JOHNSON & JOHNSON

24 NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

25 TARGET


26 LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION

27 EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION

28 THE COCA-COLA CO.

29 FACEBOOK

30 INTEL

31 CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL

32 BANK OF AMERICA MERRILL LYNCH

33 IBM

34 NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL

35 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)

36 MCKINSEY & COMPANY

37 MORGAN STANLEY

38 MARRIOTT

39 DOW CHEMICAL

40 D.O.D.

41 CONOCOPHILLIPS

42 THE BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP

43 BMW

44 AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

45 SHELL OIL COMPANY

46 BP

47 CHEVRON CORPORATION

48 BAIN & COMPANY

49 NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY (NSA)

50 GENENTECH

51 FORD MOTOR COMPANY

52 PFIZER

53 AMAZON

54 GENERAL MOTORS

55 SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

56 MERCK & CO.

57 CATERPILLAR INC.

58 ACCENTURE

59 LILLY

60 DELTA AIRLINES

61 SONY

62 PEPSICO

63 CITI

64 U.S. ARMY

65 JOHN DEERE

66 CARGILL

67 MACY’S INC.

68 TURNER CONSTRUCTION

69 SIEMENS

70 NORTHROP GRUMMAN

71 GENERAL MILLS

72 ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR

73 3M

74 U.S. AIR FORCE

75 KRAFT FOODS

76 ABBOTT

77 WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

78 RAYTHEON COMPANY

79 BLOOMBERG L.P.

80 DUPONT

81 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS

82 AT&T

83 STARBUCKS

84 UNDER ARMOUR, INC.

85 GRANT THORNTON LLP

86 CERNER CORPORATION

87 THE PNC FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP

88 NESTLÉ USA

89 U.S. NAVY

90 KOHL’S

91 MONSANTO

92 WALMART

93 GLAXOSMITHKLINE

94 HYATT HOTELS & RESORTS

95 COACH

96 CISCO SYSTEMS

97 UBS

98 LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE

99 VERIZON

100 L’ORÉAL


TABEL OF CONTENT

The following employees have offered a rare inside look at what it’s really like to work at their respective companies. Wetfeet would like to thank them for sharing their stories.

DELOITTE, PAGE 17 JUAN BETANCOURT

GENERAL ELECTRIC, PAGE 18-19 RODOLFO “RUDY” CHAVEZ AND JUSTIN BEHYMER

LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE, PAGE 20 TARYN SMITH

MASTERCARD, PAGE 21 JARRETT NORTHINGTON

ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND, PAGE 22 KELLY STEELE

TOYS“R”US, INC., PAGE 23 LETICIA “LETY” ALEJANDREZ

STATE FARM, PAGE 24-25 NEIL JACKSON

UBS, PAGE 26-29 JANELLE ADAMS, DEVON DOBSON,

SEUN OLU-AYENI AND CHARLOTTE REVOL

| INTERNSHIP |

| INTERNSHIP PA I D A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Deloitte is one of the leading professional services organiza-tions in the U.S., specializing in audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services with clients in more than 20 in-dustries. We provide powerful business solutions to some of the world’s most well-known and respected companies, including more than 75 percent of the Fortune 100.

Employees: More than 51,000

Future Coworkers: We’re looking for leaders across a variety of back-grounds who thrive in a team environment and have strong analytical andcommunication skills.

FIND OUT MORE: mycareer.deloitte.com/us

As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte LLP and its subsidiar-ies. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.

Q How did you become involved in the internship program? A In the spring of 2008, Deloitte

coordinated with HACU (Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities) to recruit five top-performing Hispanic students across the U.S. as part of a diversity initiative. I was one of those students, so I interviewed for the internship and accepted the position.

Q What surprised you when you started? A I was surprised by how much Deloitte

cares about its people. There is a family-like atmosphere that makes employees feel welcome from the moment they walk in the door. I was also impressed by the level of responsibility that new hires are given; it really helps our professionals develop skills and build confidence quickly.

Q Did the internship program live up to your expectations? A I was really blown away by the

program. In college, I never thought

Juan Betancourt • Position: Tax Senior, Deloitte Tax LLP• Education: University of Houston, Busi-

ness Administration: Accounting, 2009

As the first person in his family to go to college, Juan Betancourt did not spend his college years actively searching for a job – he was more focused on getting good grades

and working full time to pay for school. The beginning of Juan’s career at Deloitte was largely a result of outstanding academic performance and a little bit of luck. “It came as an accident,” Juan explains. “But it was the type of accident that changed my life!” He joined Deloitte as an intern and has been with the organization since.

I’d end up working for one of the top professional services organizations in the United States, but my experience as an intern exceeded any expectations I may have had. I was able to work on a vast array of projects and learned something new every day during the program, which helped immensely when I returned to Deloitte full time. Q What are the opportunities for advancement at Deloitte? A Deloitte has a high-performance,

high-rewards approach to advancement. People who want to go the extra mile are encouraged to do so. There are programs in place that allow you to challenge yourself, develop new skills, and excel in the organization.

Q Are there any myths about Deloitte? A I think the biggest misconception

about Deloitte, and public accounting in general, is that employees are human calculators who spend all day crunching numbers. In reality, success at Deloitte involves an acute awareness of the human side of business. A large part of the work we do involves managing relationships with clients and colleagues. I've met some of the finest people I know at Deloitte, and they are far from the “bean counter” stereotype.

Q What is the office culture like?A There is a strong sense of camaraderie

and teamwork at Deloitte that makes all of the hard work really enjoyable. This collegial environment extends beyond project work – the strong friendships that form between colleagues tend to last forever.

Q Any advice for students?A As with most things in life, what

you get out of something is directly proportional to how much effort you put into it. If you work hard, show that you really want to be at Deloitte, and make yourself known to people here, you should be successful.

Watch Juan describe his path to successat Deloitte: mycareer.deloitte.com/us/juan

“I learned something new every day as an intern at Deloitte. The program

really exceeded all of my

expectations.”

phot

o: J

eff F

itlow

Key Facts

Deloitte

PA I D A D V E R T I S E M E N T

INTERNSHIP |

Q How did you become involved with the GE Edison Engineering program? A I became involved in the program

after working at GE as an intern – GE does a lot of recruiting through its internship programs. The rotational program really gives you a chance to try a little bit of everything, depending on your interests.

Q What was your perception of GE before you started? Was it accurate?A I don’t think I really had any

negative or positive perceptions of GE; I just knew that it was a company that made appliances and lightbulbs. I have come to realize that it’s much more than that. They have history and strength as a global company, but they’re not resting on that – they’re constantly growing and innovating,

Rodolfo "Rudy" Chavez• Position: Software Engineer, GE

Healthcare• Education: Marquette University,

Computer Engineering, 2009

Rodolfo "Rudy" Chavez always felt a strong tie to the health care industry, having grown up in a family of medical pro-fessionals, but ultimately knew he wanted to work with tech-

nology. When the opportunity presented itself to do an internship with GE Healthcare, it seemed like the perfect way to synthesize his familiarity with health care and his interest in computer science. As a software engineer in the two-year GE Edison Engineering Devel-opment Program, Rudy is able to program technology and create products that make an impact.

and they can tackle a lot of the hard problems like health care and energy.

Q What is the best part of your job? A Since I work on software that’s

customer-facing, I receive immediate feedback and I can see right away whether or not the product is going to be right for the customer. I value being able to actually produce – even though GE isn’t traditionally known as a software company, we’re creating the kind of software keeping airplanes in the air and helping heal patients. The

work we do makes a real impact, and I take a lot of pride in that.

Q Do you have any favorite products or technologies that you’ve worked on? A One of my favorite technologies that

I worked on for a short time was the Centricity Perinatal product, which is used to track a mother and child through labor. It’s a successful product and continues to innovate: Over 35 million babies have been born using that software. I was also able to work on a technology that will improve how we send and receive medical images and make them available to different systems around the world. Since integrating information is one of the biggest challenges in health care today, it was exciting to work on something that would make a real difference.

Q What competencies are in demand?A GE has always been a big

engineering company, but in the last year or so, GE has made a big commitment to software across all the different businesses. If you’re in computer science or computer engineering, that’s going to be exactly what we’re looking for.

Contact: [email protected]

“The work we do makes a real

impact, and I take a lot of

pride in that.”

phot

o: To

ri So

per

General Electric

GE traces its beginnings to Thomas A. Edison, who established Edison Electric Light Company in 1878. In 1892, a merger of Edison General Electric Company and Thomson-Houston Electric Company created General Electric Company. GE is the only company listed in the Dow Jones Industrial Index today that was also included in the original index in 1896.

Ways In: Leadership programs, internships, co-ops, direct hire

Key Facts


Q What do you like most about your daily work?A I’m a project manager for various

assignments, so I have a broad perspective of industry trends and different technologies. I think my favorite part of my job is having the opportunity to build really cool applications and design sets that I’ve never seen anywhere else. It’s a true thrill to spend every day developing new technologies.

Q What surprised you most when you first joined GE? A I was struck by how global this

corporation really is, and I was impressed by the ways in which GE has revolutionized the idea of telepresence work. In my current role, I run development teams in Mexico and India: I’ll probably never meet these people, but because of how interconnected and well-structured GE is, I’m able to work with them on a daily basis.

Q What did you expect to learn in your internship?A I was looking for a challenging

opportunity to separate myself as a leader and grow as an individual. I didn’t want busy work; I really wanted work that would have an impact. The internship at GE exceeded my expectations: I can honestly say that the projects I’ve worked on have made a real difference in this corporation, which is not something many people can say about their college internships.

Q What were some of the projects you’ve worked on? A During my first internship, I was

able to help build and launch Windows

7, working a lot with upper management to ensure that it was a really cool and innovative product. Another project involved developing the applications that enable our employees to access work email and internal information on their cell phones. In both of these cases, I personally helped build the applications and launch the products that we currently use every day.

Q How was the transition from intern to full-time employee in the ITLP?A When I returned to GE as a fulltime

employee, I was actually surprised at how little had changed. As an intern, I was challenged and had to meet deliverables – I was treated as though I was already a full-time employee. Moving to a full-time role in the ITLP was really just about taking the next step and further developing my leadership skills.

Q Who would fit in at GE? A I’ve worked at GE in three different

cities–Cincinnati, Albany, and Fairfield—and I have noticed a striking similarity among GE employees. Every person I’ve encountered at GE is someone who loves to be challenged, loves to succeed, and is always willing to help. GE is a team and we are all fighting for the goals that will make this corporation better.

Find out more: ge.com/careers

“It's exciting to spend every day developing new technology and

working with people around

the world.”

phot

o: R

onald

Glas

sman

Justin Behymer joined GE as an intern in 2010, after he was introduced to the company through a brother in his frater-nity. Thanks to his participation in internships and coopera-

tives, he gained nearly two years of real work experience before he even graduated. He returned to GE after college to complete the Information Technology Leadership Program (ge.com/itlp), a two-year program that includes technical assignments, global rotations, and leadership training classes. Justin has been able to grow within GE and work on real projects that make a difference.

GE works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and helping to cure the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ge.com

Employees: GE employs about 300,000 people worldwide

Future Coworkers: From engineering and information technology, to marketing and sales, to finance, manufacturing, and human resources, with GE you’ll find the career opportunities and leadership development you need to succeed.

Key Facts

Justin Behymer• Position: Information Technology

Leadership Program• Education: University of Cincinnati,

Science and Information Technology, 2012


INTERNSHIP |

As one of the world’s largest property and casualty insur-ers, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group offers a wide range of insurance products and services. We help restore lives and, whenever possible, use our knowledge base, employee talent, and research capabilities to help prevent accidents and injuries from happening.

Employees: More than 50,000 globally

Future Coworkers: Liberty Mutual is looking for candidates with strong business and financial acumen, analytic thinking, leadership skills, and an understanding of a customer facing business.

Q What were your perceptions of Liberty Mutual before you started? A After participating in the Responsible

Scholars’ program, I wasn’t really surprised by much when I started working at Liberty Mutual – my perceptions about how much they care about their employees and customers were simply reinforced. Before I started, I never really understood that an insurance company could have so many facets and be so dedicated to helping its customers.

Q Can you talk about your participation in the Responsible Scholars program? A The Community Project is one of

several Responsible Scholars service programs that Liberty Mutual offers for undergraduates. The program provides students the opportunity to give back to their communities through sponsored service trips. It’s a unique opportunity

Taryn Smith• Position: Associate, Human Resources

Development Program• Education: Bryant University, Human

Resources and Sociology, 2012

Taryn Smith's first encounter with Liberty Mutual Insurance was during the winter of her junior year through the com-pany’s Responsible Scholars Community Project, Taryn and

nine other students spent six days working in the Angeles National Forest and helped restore areas that were destroyed in the 2009 wildfires. Upon witnessing how much Liberty Mutual focuses on giving back, Taryn knew immediately that it was a place where she wanted to build a career. She joined Liberty Mutual as an intern and returned after graduation to a position in its Human Resources Development Program.

because it allows students to become familiar with the company and provides a chance for them to make themselves known to key members of the Liberty Mutual team – it’s beneficial for students, beneficial for Liberty Mutual, and also beneficial for the community. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t taken the few minutes out of my day to apply.

Q What is your favorite part of your job? A As an intern, I loved being in a

position where I had challenging work, objectives to meet, and real projects that were my own personal responsibility: I

really felt that I was making an impact. One of my favorite projects was creating an intern video blog, which helped connect interns all over the U.S. In my current role, I really enjoy having the opportunity to interact with employees, help answer their questions, and make their days a little easier.

Q What is one thing you wish you had known during your internship? A I wish I had known to take advantage

of all the wonderful people and resources that were around. Everyone was always more than willing to help, but I didn’t always ask for it.

Q What advice could you offer to students interested in working at Liberty Mutual? A A really common mistake candidates

make is not dedicating enough time to proofreading and fine-tuning their resumes. One thing they could do to stand out is to take advantage of the programs that are available during their college years (the Responsible Scholars program, for example). They should also do research on the company, meet recruiters at career fairs, and follow Liberty Mutual in current events and social media. It’s really important to show a genuine interest in the company.

Find out more: www.libertymutualgroup.com/careers

“As an intern at Liberty Mutual, I really felt that the work I was

doing was making a real

impact.”

phot

o: S

teph

en S

herm

an

Key Facts

Liberty Mutual Insurance


MasterCard is aglobal payments andtechnology companythat operates theworld’s fastest pay-ments processingnetwork connectingconsumers, financialinstitutions, merchants, governmentsand businessesin more than 210countries and territo-ries. MasterCard’sproducts and solutions make everyday commerce activities easier, more secure and more efficient.

Employees: Approximately 6,700 in offices around the world

Future Coworkers: The MasterCard College Programs were created to attract and source college hires, building a pipeline of multi-dimensional talent with fresh perspec-tives, capable and empowered to make important and inde-pendent decisions. The program is aimed at bright, driven and adaptable under-graduate students who are innovative, inquisitive and willing to challenge the status quo.

Q What was your perception of MasterCard before you started? A I got most of my information about

MasterCard from commercials and advertisements, so I didn’t know too much more than the fact that it’s a credit card company. Once I started working, I began to see MasterCard as more of a tech company that happens to be in the payment space. The company is incredibly focused on innovation and technology, which is something I didn’t know before I started working here.

Q What did you hope to learn as an intern? Were your expectations fulfilled?A I went in to the internship hoping to

increase my knowledge of the business world and become familiar with the daily workings of MasterCard and the industry. Once I started, I got a lot more than I bargained for. I learned new skills like project development, time management and scheduling, and technical skills like HTML. I also learned a lot about the payments industry.

Jarrett Northington• Position: Associate Software Engineer• Education: Southern Illinois University

Edwardsville, Computer Management and Information Systems, 2012

Jarrett Northington wanted to pursue a career that impacted how people work and communicate. He was familiar with MasterCard as a credit card company, but it was

his conversations with recruiters that really sparked his interest in the innovative technological side of the company. He began at Master-Card as an intern and returned after graduation to a fulltime role as associate software engineer.

Q What surprised you as an intern? A To be honest, I expected to be doing

tasks stereotypical of interns: copying, emailing, filing, and so on. I was surprised by how much responsibility I was given right away. From the very beginning, I was in charge of a lot of information; I was working on real projects and even leading meetings.

Q What's the best part of your job? What are some challenges you face? A My team has really good chemistry.

When I first started at MasterCard, it felt like I had been there for years. Everyone was really open to the questions I asked and was willing to help me get up to speed on everything.

I think the biggest challenge has been the learning curve and getting familiar with the new systems, but having such a strong support system has made the process fairly smooth.

Q Do you have any favorite projects?A During my internship, I was in

charge of building a website that served as a central point of information – it was a repository of information for the different departments in order to foster more collaboration. It was a cool project with real results.

Q What is the office culture like? A My department is very collaborative:

It’s certainly not the kind of place where you sit in a cubicle all day without speaking to anyone. Our office has air hockey, a pool table, and even an Xbox 360 – we work hard, but have a lot of fun.

Q Any advice for interns?A Be open to any opportunity that’s

given to you: Get out of your comfort zone and venture into areas that you wouldn’t normally. Use your internship as an opportunity to learn as much as possible and try new things.

Find out more: www.mastercard.com/careers

“MasterCard is incredibly focused on technology

and innovation.”

phot

o: J

ames

Viss

er

Key Facts

MasterCard


INTERNSHIP |

RBS Markets & International Banking is wholesale banking division RBS Group, which is commit-ted to supporting our clients’ needs globally with world-class debt financing, global markets, risk management and transaction services to corporates, financial institutions, sovereigns and the public sector.We use our global connectivity and deep sector knowledge to build strong, enduring client relationships and offer a variety of products and services, including: debt capital markets and credit, electronic trading, derivatives, foreign exchange, prime services, futures and options, rates, and transaction services.

Employees: Approximately 2,400 in the Americas

Future Coworkers: RBS is committed to recruiting and retaining top talent across our Markets & International Banking businesses. Analysts will help shape the future of our busi-ness. The combina-tion of new ideas in addition to existing knowledge and expertise provides an ideal solution to improve our competi-tive advantage and become the partner of choice for our clients. RBS offers a robust training and career management program, which has received repu-table accolades from various third-party organizations.

Q How did you become interested in finance? What attracted you to RBS? A As a college athlete, I thought the

lifestyle of the financial industry would be a perfect fit: I was eager to experience the high-intensity, fast paced environment, and I was fascinated by the constant change. Every day is different, driven by the market and global events. After interviewing with many other banks, I was intrigued by RBS's loyalty to employees, culture, and a specific focus in fixed income with an expansive global footprint.

Q What surprised you the most when you first started as a summer analyst? A I was most impressed by how much

people wanted me to learn and succeed. They were truly invested in me despite not knowing whether that investment was going to pay off: They didn’t necessarily know if I was going to be with RBS for a longer period of time,

Kelly Steele• Position: Investment Grade Debt

Syndicate Analyst• Education: Georgetown University,

Finance and Management, 2011

Kelly Steele, a native San Diegan, was initially attracted to the fast-paced, constantly changing environment of the financial services industry. After studying finance at The

McDonough School of Business at Georgetown, Kelly met an alum-nus who encouraged her to apply for an internship at RBS. She was instantly drawn to the bank by its global footprint and collegial envi-ronment, and joined as a summer analyst in the 10-week rotational program. After graduation, Kelly returned to RBS as an Investment Grade Debt Syndicate Analyst.

but were extremely welcoming and supportive throughout the Program.

Q What made you return to RBS as a full-time analyst? A There were many reasons but the

most important were the culture, the loyalty to its employees and the line of business in which I was hired. Even though I thoroughly enjoy my job, another very attractive aspect of RBS is the potential opportunity to move within the bank later on in my career. Additionally, everyone is treated fairly, which is exemplified by the meritocratic flat structure where you receive a lot of responsibility right off the bat.

Q What is the work environment like? A There is a true sense of loyalty at RBS:

Everyone is committed to helping each other learn and succeed. The people, culture, and environment of the Bank are what originally drew me in and are what make me really enjoy my current job. There is a strong sense of camaraderie among my team, which makes the long hours we work together enjoyable.

Q In what ways did the summer experience with RBS benefit you?A My experience as a summer analyst

was instrumental in getting a job after college, especially in the economic downturn. It gave me exposure to many different areas in the Bank: I wasn’t just working with one group or product, which allowed me to see the big picture and enabled me to make an informed decision during the full-time job search.

Q What do you wish you had known as a summer analyst? A I believe it’s important to find a

mentor early on in your career – the internship program at RBS provides a mentor, but I wish I had kept up my communication a bit better. It’s very beneficial to have someone supporting you and giving you advice as you start your career.

Find out more: www.rbsbankyoubuild.com

“There is a true sense of loyalty at RBS: Everyone wants to help

each other succeed.”

phot

o: R

onald

Glas

sman

Key Facts

Royal Bank of Scotland


Toys“R”Us, Inc. is the world’s leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer, offering a differentiated shop-ping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 874 Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, and in more than 625 international stores and over 145 licensed stores in 35 countries and jurisdictions. In addition, it exclusively operates the legend-ary FAO Schwarz brand and sells extraordinary toys in the brand’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City.

Employees: 70,000 worldwide (and 110,000+ during the holiday season)

Future Coworkers: A sense of humor and a love of kids are paramount require-ments, along with hard work and determination to excel. We have a saying here, "5% Responsible, 100% Accountable," and what we mean by that is empowerment. At every level within the "R"Us family, our team members are empowered to use their initiative to seek out and find fresh, new and innova-tive solutions to old problems.

Q What makes a Toys“R”Us, Inc. internship unique?A I think it’s important to go into the

internship with the right expectations. I initially anticipated working in an office and doing a lot of paperwork all day, but my actual experience at Toys“R”Us was really hands on. I was working in the store on my very first day as an intern, and I really loved getting that experience from the very beginning.

Q Are there any misconceptions about working at Toys“R”Us, Inc.? A My own misconception was about

the level of work that goes on – I always assumed employees just shelved toys, cleaned up the floor and interacted with customers. In reality, everyone at Toys“R”Us is doing so much more every day to ensure that everything in the store is running smoothly.

Q How did your internship help you? A The experience benefitted me in so

Leticia "Lety" Alejandrez• Position: Store Management Trainee in

Leadership Development Program, Hu-man Resources Department Supervisor

• Education: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, B.S. Management and Human Resources, 2012

Lety Alejandrez has always loved working with people, so when the time came for her to do an internship for her business administration major, she knew she wanted to try

something different from her previous jobs at banks. Lety’s ten-week internship at Toys“R”Us, Inc. allowed her to take on real responsi-bility and helped prepare her for her current role. As a human resources department supervisor and a store management trainee in the Toys“R”Us, Inc. Leadership Development Program, Lety under-stands the value that every single employee contributes to the team.

many ways. I learned what it takes to run a Toys“R”Us store and that an entire team is needed to make everything work well. I was also given the opportunity to manage a diverse group of employees. I am a more efficient manager today because I treated my internship as a learning experience, not just as something that would earn me credits for school.

Q How did you make the transition from internship to a full-time role?A The people I met along the way made

my transition pretty easy. During my internship, I learned as much as possible and the seasoned Toys“R”Us team members took me in and mentored me.

They helped me develop from an intern to a supervisor and made me feel like I was part of the team from the very beginning.

Q What is your favorite part of your job, and what are some challenges you face?A I’m not a big fan of repetition so I

love the fact that working at Toys“R”Us is fast-paced and things are constantly changing. I love interacting with different people every day, dealing with diverse situations and not knowing what the next day will bring. I think my main challenge is that there is simply not enough time in the day!

Q What is the one thing students should know about working at Toys"R"Us, Inc.?A Don’t assume that all we do is play

with toys all day. We do have a lot of fun, but there is no time for slacking. Every team member has a very important role and we take our work very seriously.

Q Any advice for students? A Look for an internship in an industry

that interests you and treat it as a career opportunity. Go into it with an open mind and make it a learning experience – don’t intern somewhere just to get your diploma faster. I came to my internship at Toys“R”Us eager to learn and gain work experience and it turned into a full-time position at a great company.

Find out more www.ruscareers.com www.facebook.com/ruscareers

“Enter your internship with an open mind and treat it as an

opportunity to learn.”

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Key Facts

Toys“R"Us, Inc.

KellyFinance Supervisor

I’ve arrived.

Find your path.

statefarm.com/careers

I was tired of spinning my wheels in a dead-end job.

Then I found State Farm®… so many career paths

and one real destination.

It feels good to know I can stay put

still go places.

State Farm • Bloomington, IL An Equal Opportunity EmployerState Farm • Bloomington, IL

State Farm • Bloomington, ILState Farm • Bloomington, IL

State Farm • Bloomington, ILAn Equal Opportunity Employer

An Equal Opportunity EmployerAn Equal Opportunity Employer

An Equal Opportunity Employer

So many career paths. statefarm.com/careers

Arrived Kelly.indd 1 11/20/12 7:02 AM


State Farm and its af-filiates are the largest provider of car insur-ance in the U.S. and is a leading insurer in Canada. In addition to providing auto in-surance quotes, their 17,800 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts – more than 79 million auto, home, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 43 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com or in Canada http://www.statefarm.ca.

Employees: More than 65,000

Future Coworkers: One company, many careers - there’s more here than just insurance. At State Farm we seek a wide range of candidates with various skills and experiences to fill internships and opportunities ranging from entry level to management. From customer service to creative services find your path!

Q Are there any misconceptions about State Farm? How would you respond to them?A There is more to State Farm than

just insurance. You do not need to have a risk management or insurance degree to find a career here. I know interns with incredibly diverse backgrounds. Find your internship at statefarm.com/careers.

Q What are the opportunities for advancement at State Farm? A Our leadership has a genuine

interest in developing every employee, and really wants to provide opportunities for advancement. As State Farm continues to grow, the company continues to attract and retain younger employees for their fresh perspectives and new, innovative ways of thinking. This goes for interns too. The internship program offers built-in business acumen sessions and mentoring opportunities. Our internal State Farm University offers tools that

Neil Jackson• Position: Employee Relations Analyst,

Human Resources Department • Education: University of Wisconsin–

Madison, Political Science and Economics, 2012

When Neil Jackson was a student, he was selected to participate in State Farm’s internship program. Though Neil was unaffiliated with the insurance industry before

his experience, he immediately knew he wanted to be a part of the State Farm family. He interned in the Corporate Law Department and returned after graduation to a full-time role in human resources.

employees may use to proactively take steps toward their career goals.

Q Describe your involvement in the internship program. A The experience really exceeded all of

my expectations. In the Corporate Law department, I was able to research and write white papers, work on various legislative issues, and even travel to experience trial law.

Q What is the office culture like at State Farm?A State Farm is a great place to work

– the culture is collaborative, result-driven, and professional, but at the same time, respects work/life balance. I really have a personal stake in this

company and can see myself building a career here – this isn’t just a job for me; it’s a part of who I am.

Q What made you return to State Farm after your internship?A State Farm’s rich history, character,

culture, and support of communities and education, made me want to be a part of the State Farm family. I see myself having a long career here. The testimonials and tenure of current employees proves that: There are people who have been here for 5, 15, 25+ years. I could not imagine applying to just any company where I did not know the history and culture; State Farm impressed me in both areas.

Q Do you have any advice you would offer to current students?A For students interested in State Farm,

don’t assume that you need a background in risk management to succeed here – that’s definitely not the case! Whatever you want to do after graduation, make the most of your summers to gain professional experience. Internships are essentially interviews that last for ten or twelve weeks, and they can be an important factor when competing for a full-time job.

Find out more: www.StateFarm.com/careers

“State Farm has a genuine interest in developing every employee: There

are so many opportunities to

grow here.”

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Key Facts

State Farm


INTERNSHIP |

UBS draws on its 150-year heritage to serve private, institu-tional and corporate clients worldwide, as well as retail clients in Switzerland. Its business strategy is centered on its preeminent global wealth management businesses and its universal bank in Switzerland. Together with a client-focused investment bank and a strong, well-diversified global asset management business, UBS will expand its premier wealth management franchise and drive further growth across the firm.

Employees: About 64,000 globally, 35 percent in the Americas

Q What made you stand out as a candidate for an internship at UBS?A I really made an effort to connect

with my interviewers, and not just about work: I showed a genuine interest in the industry, but also made sure that my interviewers remembered me. Social and communication skills are extremely important in this industry, so being able to make a connection with the people you talk to will definitely give you an advantage.

Q Where do you expect to be in five years? A Once I really develop a holistic view

of the products and services we offer our clients, I could see myself moving into an advisory service role at UBS, giving advice and delivering financial plans for clients.

Q What is the office culture like at UBS? A The environment here is open and

client-oriented with a strong focus on

Janelle Adams• Position: Graduate Training Program

(GTP) Analyst, Wealth Management• Education: Wharton School, University

of Pennsylvania, Management, 2012

Janelle Adams' interest in financial planning was sparked when she was applying for college and going through the pro-cess for herself: She was intrigued by the idea of figuring out

her financial aid package, understanding how she could make up the gaps, and planning for the future. As a firm that places strategic focuses on wealth management in addition to investment banking and asset management, UBS seemed like the right place for her. She began as an intern and later returned to the firm as an analyst in the Graduate Training Program.

delivering results. Some banks may apply pressure to stay late or show off for upper management, but I never feel that way at UBS. As long as I am able to professionally and correctly finish my work, I never feel pressure to spend additional time in the office.

Q What do you enjoy about your job? A I think the Graduate Training

Program represents a unique opportunity because it allows me to see so many different divisions and touch multiple areas of the business. There is so much variety in my day: As a member of the middle markets management team, I work with various financial adviser teams across the country,

each with a different area of expertise. Balancing the various issues that the teams present can sometimes pose a challenge, but I love gaining exposure to so many different facets of the business.

Q What are you most proud of about your work at UBS? A I’ve taken on projects that are making

a difference both in my internship and in my current role. Earlier this month, I worked on a project that was later presented to upper management. The data I collected for the project are currently being used to make decisions about our platform and business structure. It’s exciting that the work I’ve been doing is being used and is important to UBS.

Q What advice could you offer to students interested in working for UBS?A Be able to pinpoint why you want to be

at UBS versus another firm. Every single person I spoke with during the interview process asked me why I was interested in wealth management, and why UBS in particular. Also, take advantage of networking events and make an effort to speak to junior members of the team. I always see students going straight for the directors, which is great because they have experience and can offer advice, but it’s really important to connect with junior analysts as well. After the events, it’s often the junior members who speak with HR and can put in a good word for the candidates.

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Key Facts

UBS“I love gaining

exposure to so many different facets of the business.”


Q What surprised you most when you first started? A I was amazed at how many different

financial products exist in the world. I knew about the basics, but I was surprised to see such a vast amount of products being traded on a day-to-day basis.

Q What are the opportunities for advancement in UBS? A In a large global bank like

UBS, there is plenty of room for advancement. You definitely get a taste of that as an intern—nothing is set in stone, and you are able to make what you want of the experience. There are so many ways to prove yourself and add value to the company.

Q What is the office culture like at UBS?A There is a strong support system

at UBS, which is critical in your development as a new hire. I could go up to anyone and ask for help and they would make time for me. There’s also a really cool culture among my class of new hires – we frequently socialize

outside of work, which builds a strong team mentality.

Q How did you become involved in the internship program? A I was looking for programs through

my school’s career site, and was attracted specifically to UBS through an alumnus. It’s a 10-week rotational program, so I got to experience different desks. UBS runs a direct desk hire program, so if you get a full-time offer, it will be in one of the areas where you spent your internship.

Q What were some opportunities the program exposed you to? A UBS runs a speaker series every

week – the “Best and Brightest” series. Every week a very well-known individual in the industry presents

a keynote speech. This is interesting because it allows you to meet and hear important industry experts. There are also a lot of fun intern events that allow you to network with senior leaders and connect with upper management.

Q What made you stand out as a candidate for the internship program?A I think it was my relentless pursuit

of it—I was constantly emailing, calling, and meeting people to make them aware that I wanted to be a part of the program. I was really persistent, and people caught on to that.

Q How do you think your internship benefitted you as a full-time employee?A When I started full-time in July, I

walked onto the trading floor and I knew a lot of people already, both other new hires and more senior people – that alone took a lot of stress off. I also came in with a general knowledge of how the bank works and what products it produces, which gave me an advantage.

Q Do you have any advice you’d offer to students interested in working at UBS?A Being proactive is critical – you can’t

be afraid to pick up the phone and call someone who can potentially help you.

FIND OUT MORE: www.ubs.com

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Devon Dobson was drawn to investment banking because of the diversity of opportunity the industry offers. “I figured it would be interesting to work with clients while

also being exposed to the information flow that comes across your desk.” He was introduced to the internship program at UBS through an alumnus and returned as a full-time analyst in fall 2012.

Devon Dobson• Position: Graduate Training Program

Analyst, Exchange Trade Derivatives• Education: University of Notre Dame,

Finance, 2012

“UBS provides you with

opportunities to work on

projects that matter.”

Future Coworkers:We’re looking for people who have the integrity, drive, and team skills to help us deliver on our promises to our clients. Our hires have degrees ranging from economics and finance to astronomy and political sci-ence. There is no one set of traits or background we look for; your education and experience are more important than a specific major.

Key Facts


INTERNSHIP |

Q What attracted you to UBS?A I met a lot of corporate sponsors

through my honors program, but I was really interested in UBS because they had a different approach to everything. They seemed less traditional and more informal than other banks: Whenever corporate sponsors came to do information sessions, for example, they would lead icebreakers instead of straightforward presentations. Things like that really stood out to me and set UBS apart from the rest.

Q What were your perceptions of UBS before you started working? A From the research I had done about

the bank, I could tell it was very large, cultured, and diverse. I spoke to Howard alumni who had connections to UBS and learned that it was a welcoming place, especially for new hires – almost a family-like atmosphere. These perceptions were all confirmed once I started working.

Q What made you stand out as a candidate for an internship at UBS?A One thing that made me stand out

was all of the research I did. When I

Seun Olu-Ayeni• Position: Graduate Training Program

Analyst, Group Technology, Group IT COO Office - IT Shared Services Cost and Business Management

• Education: Howard University, Informa-tion Systems, 2012

When Seun Olu-Ayeni was in the School of Business Executive Leadership and Honors Program at Howard University, he was surrounded by information about Wall

Street. With his curiosity sparked, he began to do his own research about the finance industry in order to find a job that synthesized his technical background and his interest in business. Seun loves the diversity of people and projects at UBS.

interviewed, I knew a lot about the bank and asked relevant questions. I also made myself unique and connected with my interviewers to ensure that I was remembered.

Q What did you learn from your experience as an intern at UBS? A I had the opportunity to work in a

project management role, which really enhanced my leadership skills. I also learned a lot about networking and communicating with people. I was always encouraged to understand why I was doing the projects I was, which helped me see how the work I did affected the bank as a whole.

Q What's the best part of your job?A Every aspect of the bank is diverse –

its events, its products and services, and its people. I can see five people from the desk where I sit, and four out of those five people are from different places of the world. That kind of environment is inclusive by nature. I love how supportive everyone is – everyone wants you to succeed here.

Q What are some challenges you face? A UBS is a large global bank, so keeping

track of where you stand within the organization is sometimes difficult. The complexity of the structure can be challenging, but it’s also something to be proud of.

Q How is being a full-time employee different from being an intern? A Because I am a more experienced

professional now, I have more responsibility and am entrusted with more difficult projects. The transition wasn’t too difficult, because UBS offered me a rigorous five-week training program. It prepared me well and allowed me to network with fellow graduates, so I had an instant support system once I actually started working.

Q Do you have any advice for interns?A If you are confident, accountable

and take on responsibility, you’ll be rewarded. That’s something I learned in my internship: My manager taught me that if opportunities aren’t knocking, you need to build your own door for them to come knock on.

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“UBS is a meritocracy: If

you take on responsibility and perform well, you will be rewarded.”

Future Coworkers:We’re looking for people who have the integrity, drive, and team skills to help us deliver on our promises to our clients. Our hires have degrees ranging from economics and finance to astronomy and political sci-ence. There is no one set of traits or background we look for; your education and experience are more important than a specific major.

Key Facts


Q What were your initial perceptions of UBS? Were they accurate? A The financial industry in general has

received a lot of negative press during and since the financial crisis, which I do not believe is fully justified. Investment banks provide necessary services to corporations, and during economic downturns companies look to banks to receive sound and strategic financial advice. I have found that the past year and a half has been very active as companies look to improve their businesses—UBS has certainly provided me with the opportunity to be a part of this changing industry.

Q What would make a candidate stand out to recruiters? A Much of the job is actually learned

on the job, so a strong academic record shows an ability to learn quickly and take in new information. It’s also important to be familiar with what is happening in the world: In college, it’s easy to get caught up in exams and homework, but you need to go into an interview with an awareness of the economy and current events.

Q How did your internship benefit you?A The internship reaffirmed my interest

in banking. It was an opportunity to get to know my future colleagues, make good first impressions, and become familiar with the internal processes of the bank, all of which helped a lot when I returned to UBS as a full-time analyst.

Q What are the opportunities for advancement at UBS?A UBS aims to recruit people out of

the internship program, so if you prove yourself as a hard worker during your internship, there is so much room to grow. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the support I’ve received and by the opportunities I’ve been given, not only to grow in terms of rank, but also

in terms of exposure to different types of companies within industrials and becoming a sector expert in those that interest me.

Q What do you like most about your job?A I love the team that I’m a part of and

the everyday challenges we face. At the end of the day, our clients care a lot about the successes and failures of their businesses, and we want to help them make good decisions. Being part of that decision-making process is really rewarding.

Q What are some challenges you face at work?A The learning curve can be steep and

challenging, especially when you’re first starting out, but over time you learn more and become comfortable in your work environment. Another challenge is finding work-life balance. My work hours are long, but there is definitely opportunity to be social and enjoy living in New York if you learn to manage your own time, become more efficient, and communicate your schedule well to others.

Q Any advice for students interested at working for UBS?A After graduation, take a trip you’ve

always wanted to take, relax, and get ready to hit the ground running. Your first few years in the workforce are extremely rewarding, but also very challenging, so take some time beforehand to reflect and reset yourself.

“We want to help our clients make good decisions, and it's really

rewarding to be a part of that

process.”

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Charlotte Revol became interested in finance from a young age as she watched her brother pursue a career in investment banking and was impressed by the level of

exposure and responsibility he received as a recent graduate. As a first generation Argentine-American, Charlotte was searching for an opportunity to use her Spanish-speaking skills in a professional setting, and joined UBS as an intern in its Latin America group. She returned after graduation as a full-time analyst.

Charlotte Revol• Position: Graduate Training Program

(GTP) Analyst, Global Industrials Group, Transportation and Capital Goods

• Education: Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Business and Public Policy, 2011.

UBS is proud to be an equal opportuni-ties employer. We are committed to providing equal access to employ-ment opportunities to all prospective employees within the recruitment process. UBS complies with and supports all national and local laws pertaining to nondiscrimination and advancement opportunities, includ-ing those relating to making reasonable accommodations to the recruitment pro-cess for applicants who require them.

FIND OUT MORE: www.ubs.com

Key Facts

wetfeet magazine fall 2012

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