How do I get the academic internship I want?

1. Make an appointment with the Internship Specialist for guidance and information on internship opportunities, resume writing and interviewing techniques.
    
2. Make an appointment with a supervising faculty member or department chair to pinpoint learning objectives and methods of evaluation for approval of internship.
    
3. Complete all administrative forms, including:   the "Internship Learning Contract" and the "Student Agreement and Release" available through the Internship Development Office.
    
4. Pre-register for the course, which requires the signature of the faculty supervisor, academic advisor, department chair, site supervisor and internship specialist.

What are the key factors in securing an internship?
Timing: Begin well in advance of the application deadline to prepare materials, (transcripts, recommendations and writing samples may be required), and fine-tune your resume.  

Research: In-depth research of the organization is time consuming but will pay off when writing a cover letter and in the interview process itself. The Resource Center has a broad collection of internship related reference books. In addition, we have hundreds of internship opportunites catalogued in binders. So, please take the time to see what we have to offer.

Attitude/Motivation: While some programs impose a minimum GPA or require a specific major area of study, the deciding factor, time and time again, is the applicant’s attitude.  Specifically, coordinators use cover letters and interviews to gauge an applicant’s motivation and energy.  Organizations want interns who are mature, self-motivated, professional, and who can maintain a high energy level.

How do I make this internship a positive experience?
Dress:  Take your cue from your co-workers and other staff members and dress so you “fit in”.  On the first day, dress neatly, simply and appropriately for your job.  Your supervisor can provide guidance if you have questions.

Promptness and Attendance: Get an early start the first few days to ensure you don’t underestimate the travel time.  Being late the first day or any day is simply not acceptable.  If an emergency or unforeseen circumstance comes up, be sure to call and advise your employer of the situation.  If you need to take a day off, make arrangements in advance. Try to take advantage of any opportunities to attend staff meetings or seminars.

Attitude:  An important part of why you were selected for an internship is the employer’s perception of your attitude, since that is critical to the development of your skills and your level of productivity.  Success in the workplace is tied directly to a positive “can-do” attitude, being a team player, cooperating with co-workers, and being enthusiastic and willing to work within the structure of the organization. 

Dependability:  Establishing your credibility in the workplace doesn’t happen overnight but being trustworthy and dependable will help you earn the respect of your supervisor and co-workers.  This in turn will lead to opportunities for more responsibility.

Interacting with Other Staff: Don’t hesitate to ask questions and seek guidance but do be sensitive to others’ time and schedules when assistance is needed.

Orientation: Even if your employer does not have a structured orientation process, you will still need to read materials, meet co-workers, move into your workspace, and verify with your employer the nature of your responsibilities. (If you are doing an academic internship be sure that both you and the employer are clear on the learning outcomes which have been developed.) Also be sure you have complete and accurate information regarding the regulations and policies of the workplace, then follow the rules at all times.

   How do I get the internship done now that I have it?
Time Management: Make the best use of any discretionary time by organizing your day according to your tasks and responsibilities (a day planner calendar is helpful).  Avoid procrastinating on responsibilities you aren’t fond of, by setting specific times to do them and/or divide into smaller tasks.  Be aware of how your energy level and moods fluctuate throughout the day and schedule accordingly.  To ensure you meet deadlines, always build in some extra time to deal with unexpected delays or surprises.

Planning: Be sure you have a clear understanding of the priority of different tasks that relate to any project you are working on.  Identify and inventory the resources that will be needed to accomplish these tasks.  Coordinate with your supervisor to secure any assistance or materials that you may be lacking.  

Problem Solving:
Work Assignments—“go fer” or routine work exists in all organizations and it is expected that interns will have their share of it.  However, if the majority of your responsibilities are not challenging enough don’t hesitate to consult with your supervisor.  Be cautious about asking for or assuming additional responsibilities unless you are certain that you have sufficient time to devote to these.  Since the quality of your work is what you will be judged on, it is important to keep your supervisor informed of any unrealistic deadlines or other problems that impact your performance.  While supervisors may appear to be omnipotent, they aren’t mind readers so remember that communication is essential.

I have an internship, how do I get credit for it?
In order to get credit for your internship, you must meet with one of the Internship Development staff members.  They will walk you through some paperwork that will need to be completed, let you know what signatures you must obtain and give you some additional information to help you on your way.  Generally, they are available anytime the Career Services office is open.  The internship must also be added as a class through the Registrar’s Office and you will have to select a faculty supervisor to oversee your internship.

Career Services
Southwestern University, P.O. Box 770, Georgetown, TX 78627-0770, career.services@southwestern.edu , 512.863.1346, 512.863.1270 (fax)