Oh Internships… Where are You?Betsy Bishop Gill

University Career Services

1

Today’s Agenda• Review the main three methods utilized

by NU students to find internships– Internship Postings– Employer Sourcing/Research– Networking

• Gain awareness of the services, programs and resources available to you for your internships search

• Understand how to effectively use the resources available to you

2

Internship Posting SitesUCS posting sites to explore:• CareerCat – Northwestern’s primary internship

and job posting site for students and alumni. Also is the location for on-campus recruiting, information sessions, workshops, and shared postings.

• iNet – same software system as CareerCat. Employers post internships for the colleges in the iNet consortium: Georgetown University, Harvard University, New York University, MIT, University of Pennsylvania, Rice University, Stanford University, Yale University, University of Southern California, and Northwestern University

3

Other Sites Internships Online:

largest internship site on the web http://www.internship

s-usa.com/ Username: work Password: credit

Internships.com: National and international Internship listings www.internships.com Select "Northwestern" Type in "Wildcats"

under promo code

Vault & Wetfeet: An informational resource that contains internship postings

Access through NU Library

Other Major Sites:

Indeed.com- Google like search for job or internship postings

• Idealist.org- For Non-Profit/Gov’t• GoingGlobal- For International

Work Searches (access at UCS Resource Library/CareerCat)

• MakingtheDifference.org- Federal Gov’t Internships

• National Science Foundation-http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/

• Twitterjobsearch.com- search through postings for work on Twitter

4

Making it Worth the Submit

Know the industry

Know the company

Identify main skills employer is seeking

Target your application materials

Follow instructions

Follow-up if possible weeks after submitting

Don’t instantly submit

Don’t submit if you are not interested

Don’t forget to proofread

5

Employer Research/ SourcingResearching which employers or

environment is right for you in order to find employment

Involves:• Researching Companies• Creating a list of those to contact• Visiting website for more information• Contact employers directly through email or phone• Arrange for informational interviews

6

The Hidden Job Market

20% of jobs are posted

publicly

Posting Sites

Remaining Opportunities

Benefits of Utilizing the Hidden Job Market:

• More Opportunities

• Less Competition

• Stronger Alignment

• Geographical Focus

• Expand Network

7

How to Find the EmployersCareerSearch: A Database of Company

Informationhttp://v2.careersearch.net.//clientClick on

“Create an

Account”

Use the Client

Referral Key:

NU2004

8

Other Ways to Find EmployersChamber of Commerce

Hoovers

Wikipedia

Also: Google, Wetfeet, Vault, CareerCat, LinkedIn.com, Crain’s Business, Going Global (International), Idealist.org, Professional Associations

9

Letter/Phone Call of Inquiry(1) Introduce yourself

Hi, my name is Holly Jacobs. I am currently a student at Northwestern University pursuing a degree in communications.

(2) Identify interest – organization, position, etc… I came across your organization when I was conducting research on advertising agencies in my hometown. I was very excited to learn of your niche in providing advertising consulting to green organizations

(3) Introduce skills This past year, I served as the promotions director for a campus student organization called Green Initiatives. In this role, I was able to increase awareness of our initiatives in campus residences.

(4) Inquire I was reaching out to you because I wanted to discuss opportunities in your organization for an internship this summer….

10

Networking• What is it?- Establishing professional or

personal connections with others– To develop a mutual support system– To tap into a hidden employment market– To interact with members of your target field– To explore career options– To market yourself to potential employers

• Networking is consistently one of the #1 ways NU students find internships or jobs!

11

Who to Network with… • LinkedIn & Twitter• Professional Associations• Your Own Network

Family

Friends/Roommates

Student/ Professional

Orgs

Religious Orgs

Co-Workers

Neighbors

YOUAlumni

AttendSession

on Networking

Next! 12

A Great Way to StartInformational Interviews• An interview YOU conduct with a person who

currently does a job you think you might want, or who has specific knowledge about an occupation or career in which you are interested.

• Prepare and Ask Questions • Be Tactful about asking if employment

opportunities exist• Be Genuine and show your Passion for the

Work they do• Afterwards- send a thank you note/email

13

Next Steps• Start utilizing all three main techniques

right away

• Make an Appointment with an Internship Specialist or Advisor

• Set short term and long term goals for your internship search (pg 20 of the Career Guide offers an Internship Search Timeline)

14

University Career ServicesMain Office

620 Lincoln Street847-491-3700

CareerLabCore Reserve

Main Library, 2nd Floor NorthWeb www.northwestern.edu/careers

Facebook www.facebook.com/northwesternucsTwitter http://twitter.com/northwesternucs

LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=1926036

15