Spring Break
The future is now
Katie Hannafin
Issue date: 1/28/09 Section: Focus
Tuesday evening, a small room in the Student Union barely fit hundreds of students for a lecture titled The Internship Search: Personal Preparation & Strategies for Success given by the Department of Career Services.
The lecturer, Beth Settje, who has worked at UConn's Career Services for eight years, quickly but thoroughly went through the topics students should know to find and get an internship, and what to do with the experience once it's done.
To start off, it is never too late to apply for an internship, but the earlier you start your search, the more opportunities you will find available," Settje said. "The time to start applying is now, and it is recommended that you begin the internship or co-op search at least six months before you plan to work."
There are several reasons why students want to and should participate in internships, according to Settje. The first is to use it as a way to determine one's needs and whether or not a student's major and/or perceived career goals are actually right for them. An internship can also be used as a way to define one's purpose and gain an advantage on others.
Settje went through a systematic PowerPoint presentation with different topics and points touching on many detailed ways to prepare for the internship search, how to gather application materials, identify opportunities, apply for positions, ultimately make a decision, and succeed on the job. She also explained the difference between an internship and a co-op.
"The absolute number one way to find an internship position is through the art of networking," said Settje. She then asked everyone in the room to turn to the people sitting next to them, shake their hand and introduce themselves. "It's necessary to be able to go into a room of random people and be able to start chit-chatting with anyone you never know who could help you find what you want." Settje reminded the crowd of how useful the UConn Alumni Association is for students looking for internships and jobs. "[Your fellow Huskies] want to be a resource for you."
The lecturer, Beth Settje, who has worked at UConn's Career Services for eight years, quickly but thoroughly went through the topics students should know to find and get an internship, and what to do with the experience once it's done.
To start off, it is never too late to apply for an internship, but the earlier you start your search, the more opportunities you will find available," Settje said. "The time to start applying is now, and it is recommended that you begin the internship or co-op search at least six months before you plan to work."
There are several reasons why students want to and should participate in internships, according to Settje. The first is to use it as a way to determine one's needs and whether or not a student's major and/or perceived career goals are actually right for them. An internship can also be used as a way to define one's purpose and gain an advantage on others.
Settje went through a systematic PowerPoint presentation with different topics and points touching on many detailed ways to prepare for the internship search, how to gather application materials, identify opportunities, apply for positions, ultimately make a decision, and succeed on the job. She also explained the difference between an internship and a co-op.
"The absolute number one way to find an internship position is through the art of networking," said Settje. She then asked everyone in the room to turn to the people sitting next to them, shake their hand and introduce themselves. "It's necessary to be able to go into a room of random people and be able to start chit-chatting with anyone you never know who could help you find what you want." Settje reminded the crowd of how useful the UConn Alumni Association is for students looking for internships and jobs. "[Your fellow Huskies] want to be a resource for you."
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