1. Look for an Internship Offering Substantial Work
When it comes time to seek a career job, your internship will
look a lot better if it involves a specific project or program. You will
want to show what you did, and hopefully how well you did it!
2. If the Job Isn't Good, Don't Hesitate to Ask for a New Assignment
Once on an internship, you can evaluate its value. If you discover
that you are not acquiring useful experience, ask as tactfully as possible
if you may transfer to another area.
3. Volunteer for Additional Assignments
Try to get the broadest range of experience possible. If a new
job develops and you think you can handle it, ask if you may transfer.
You should always appear ready to shoulder more responsibility and to do
more work,
4. How Close to Top Professionals Will You Work?
The best internships usually offer the chance to work closely
with a leader in your field of choice - someone who will take an interest
in what you do, give you real work assignments and be around after the
program to offer career advice or assistance.
5. Avoid Short-Term Internships
Internships lasting only a few weeks or part-time for only a
few hours a week during a school term are not likely to give you the kind
of experience which comes with a full-time job over a period of months.
However, any experience is better than none!
6. Is Long-Term Employment a Possibility?
Many employers use internships as a screening device - hoping
to identify men and women who have the skills and attitudes they want in
career employees. They may offer career jobs to their best interns.
7. Pay Is Important But not the Main Goal
If the internship pays a salary, great. But donít accept
a poor internship just because it careers a stipend. Consider pay as just
one of the things to be evaluated when weighing alternatives.
8. Look for an Academic Credit Option
Many college (including UA) will award academic credit for successfully
completing an internship, often through either writing a paper about the
experience or submitting a report on a project. But the best time to arrange
for credit is before you actually start the internship. Check with your
advisor to find out more.