The Observer, February 16, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 17
Ask Amy...
Once you have committed to a field of study it will be important for you to consider ways to supplement your classroom learning with hands-on experience. This will allow you to test drive your career choice. Internship experience on your résumé will also make you marketable when you hit the job market. Below you will find a checklist for finding an internship.
A checklist for finding an internship
(6-12 months prior to internship)
Research your skills, interests, and values and explore your goals for the internship.
•The Career Center offers the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®, and Strong Interest Inventory® career assessments. These assessments will help you learn more about your personality, interests, and skills.
(3-9 months prior to internship)
Make an appointment with the Career Center to discover resources for finding internships, including:
•ClevelandIntern.net: Find northeast Ohio internships posted by 17 colleges and universities. Students can self-register, upload a résumé and apply for internship positions.
•Case on the Cuyahoga: This is a unique summer internship program open to Case, Colgate, Princeton, Smith, and Yale that offers students challenging internships, community introductions, alumni connections, and group housing for the summer.
•eCompass: The Career Center lists internships, part-time, and summer opportunities in this database.
•Career-related websites in your field of interest
•Internship books and directories in the Accenture Career Library
•Career Fairs (two per year): The Get Experienced! Internship and Career Fair will be held in the Thwing Center on Thursday, Feb. 22 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
(3-9 months prior to internship)
Identify employers and research their internship opportunities.
•Research the D&B Million Dollar Database. This database will provide vital industry information on over 1.6 million companies.
•Research the Vault Online Career Library. Search internship positions by companies, location, industry, compensation, etc.
(3-9 months prior to internship)
Network–use your contacts (family, friends, faculty, and alumni) to learn about internships.
•The Career Center has an Alumni Network composed of Case alumni from a wide variety of professions who have volunteered to share their knowledge and experience.
(3-6 months prior to internship)
Write a résumé and cover letter and have it critiqued by the Career Center during consulting hours (Monday–Thursday 11 a.m.-2 p.m.)
(3-6 months prior to internship)
Prepare for an interview by having a mock interview at the Career Center (appointment necessary).
(3-6 months prior to internship)
Apply for internships by sending your résumé, cover letter, and any other additional requested materials. Follow up with employers to check on the status of your application .
(1-3 months prior to internship)
Attend interviews and send thank you letters after each interview.
•Employers will have on-campus interviews through March 9, 2007. Visit the Career Center's Upcoming Events calendar to view employers participating in on-campus interviews.
(1-3 months prior to internship)
Evaluate offers and accept the internship that best fits your goals.
