Hello, intern!
It seems like the last day of classes is long gone, and you may have already started work at a summer internship. Here’s a list of three great ways you can make the most out of this experience, so that you come away with more than just money (or college credit) and a few more lines on your resume:
Take Initiative. Some companies have well-established internship programs that are packed full of responsibilities and activities for their interns, but many internships aren’t quite as laid-out. If your role as an intern doesn’t define how to spend all of your time while you’re at work, use that opportunity to go above-and-beyond what your supervisor has planned for you. This doesn’t mean simply asking “what else can I do?” but actually identifying an area in which you can contribute, and running a plan past your supervisor. This is a sure-fire way to get yourself noticed, and it shows that you’re not just there to meet expectations.
Network. The value of networking doesn’t just go away now that you have your internship. Remember, this could be an audition for a full-time position, and the more people you have in your corner, the better your chances of snagging that offer will be. One of our former peer advisors, Dhruv, really took advantage of this strategy, and made sure to have lunch with different people from his office as often as possible. He was able to ask questions about the organization, questions about each person’s role within the company, and to discuss some of the projects he was working on. He ended up with a full-time offer after his internship, in part because in addition to doing an excellent job, many people beyond his immediate supervisor were able to see what an excellent job he was doing. He definitely stood out among all the other interns.
Evaluate the Company/Industry. I mentioned that internships are like auditions for full-time jobs, but this is also the organization’s time to show you what they’re all about. Make sure you use this summer to figure out what you like (and dislike!) about the organization, so that you can make a better decision about full-time offers later on. For instance, if you find that it’s frustrating working in a huge, hierarchical organization as an intern, that will help you focus your full-time search on smaller companies, with a more flat organizational structure.
If you need some career coaching this summer, don’t fret — The Career Center is open 8-5p every weekday, and you can make an appointment to stop and see us.
Photo credit: adpowers on Flickr.
Posted by Scott Tsuchiyama 
I don’t know about you, but I have always enjoyed detective movies and TV shows. So much so that I even considered making a career out of it. If you’re like me, this intelligence analyst position will undoubtedly interest you. This position offers you the chance to detect criminal organizations, take down domestic and international terrorists, track narcotics and smugglers, and create new intelligence products, theories, and systems. It offers health, dental, vision, and retirement plans, and a very respectable salary.
Some students start their internship search with a pretty good idea of what they want to do this summer. But for other students, the where is the most important factor in landing a great experience during the break. Using the “Advanced Search” option is a perfect way to help narrow your search by geographic preferences. And, if you are planning on sticking around Ann Arbor this summer, why not make the most of it and apply to the Production Intern position with Ann Arbor Summer Festival – one of the many cool local opportunities that comes up with a search by “City”! Over 100 events comprise the Festival and you could play a part in making everything from live music performances to street art demonstrations go off without a hitch. The positions calls for someone who is enthusiastic and willing to jump in wherever is needed, especially during the weeks of the event. 
I see a number of students who are involved in philanthropic activities within UM student organizations. Many express an interest in learning more about fundraising, grant writing, and event planning. When I ran across a posting for an External Relations Intern at the National Children’s Museum (NCM) in Washington, D.C., it struck a chord. This is a unique opportunity to work with the Director of Institutional Giving and the VP for External Relations for a newly created museum slated to open in 2013. This intern will assist with prospective donor research, help plan events, write at least one grant proposal and be exposed to strategic planning. Check it out soon as applications are due Dec. 16.
