This summer we’ll be sharing ‘Intern Insights,’ a series of guest posts all about internships, from students enrolled in UC 225. Today’s post from Katie Trucco, an English major interning in Chicago, offers some great advice from her own experience on how to approach your internship search. Thanks Katie! For more insights, be sure to check out other posts in the Intern Insights series.
It goes without saying that the search for a worthwhile, interesting internship is a long and sometimes frustrating one. Students spend hours on the internet, filing through job search engines and different career pages, hoping there is a position that fits their professional interests. I know I spent many nights delving into whatever information I came across, even just the results of a simple Google search like “Chicago Public Relations Firms.” While the actual application process is heavily focused on detail, I learned that the beginning of a search should be broad. To find opportunities to submit carefully crafted cover letters and refined resumes begins with a open-minded hunt for the right position.
I grew up just outside of Chicago, and I wanted to experience the city in a different way by working somewhere within the city limits. Along with that criteria, I knew I wanted to find an internship in public relations or marketing. I’ve always been interested in finding a way to spark interest among a group of people, and I enjoy brainstorming with others to generate positive energy. After looking for many months for a position fulfilling my personal criteria, I was finally offered a position at a public relations firm specializing in theater and hospitality. I’m not necessarily a theater buff, and I can really only name a handful of hotels in the city, so I thought this would be a great opportunity to work in an unfamiliar field, all while gaining skills and proficiency in public relations and marketing.
While conducting my search, my dad always reminded me that sometimes, you have to “start small.” Often, the term ‘internship’ paints images in our heads of brewing coffee, taking meeting minutes, and performing other menial jobs. These are not acquired skills, but rather small tasks. Many times, this might be what “starting small” means. You meet a few people, hope you make a good impression, and cross your fingers that they remember you as the guy who refilled the copy machine toner every once in awhile, and now you’re looking for a job post-graduation. This summer, I have learned that “starting small” is just the opposite. The company I’m interning at does not employ hundreds of people, but rather a small but powerful ten. Smaller firms work in an intern’s favor, as I’ve learned from my own experience. My fellow interns and I often say that sometimes we feel like associates because of how involved we are in the day-to-day business. We sit in on every conference call, reach out to every client, attend every opening night of the current play we work to promote, and craft promotional events just like the full-time employees do. I know that my experience at a smaller firm will serve me so well in the future, because I’ve built a set of professional skills and confidence that I don’t think I would have at a larger firm.
Before you begin your search, talk to someone in the field. This past winter, I met with a girl who grew up in my neighborhood who now works at a major PR firm in Chicago. I had applied for an internship position at that company, and was definitely interested in an opportunity there, but I really found that just picking her brain about what she does everyday was the most worthwhile form of networking. Over lunch, she told me what she did to build her resume, how she prepared for interviews, and what she plans to do in the next few years. It really helped me form my own career plans when I heard what someone else’s were. We still keep in touch every once in awhile to talk about what we’re doing. I have found that it invaluable to have a resource like this, just to even to simply bounce questions off of and help organize my career plans.
A concern among many students looking for internships is the issue of paid vs. unpaid. I am lucky enough that I can live at home and don’t have to factor in certain expenses like rent and groceries, for the time being. But not everyone is lucky enough to have their mom making dinner for them, or being able to grab a ride home with their dad from the city. My internship is unpaid, which is a bit of a change for me. Growing up, I’ve always had some source of my own money during the summer, whether it was babysitting for neighbors or working in retail. Taking kids to the pool on a hot summer day for some cold hard cash might not sound too bad as I sit at a desk and type all day, but let’s be honest, I’m not learning anything that will move my future forward. I’m not getting paid in currency at my internship, but everything that I’m learning is well worth it. My suggestion to students looking for an internship next summer: don’t let “unpaid” worry you! You will be amazed at all of the details about your position you will be able to talk about in a future interview, or highlight while updating your resume. Not paid rarely means not worth it.
In short, any advice I would offer when looking for an internship is to not freak out. There are a ton of opportunities out there, and you have to go into your search with an open mind. Size does matter, so if it is not as recognizable of a company, don’t immediately leave their homepage. Starting small is important, so be open to all opportunities. Research many positions, and talk to someone who has been an intern before. And last but not least, unpaid doesn’t mean unworthy!
Posted by Scott Tsuchiyama 
This is a one year internship at a law firm that would be a great opportunity for someone taking a gap year before law school. It would also be great for someone interested in working in the legal field while exploring if law school is right fit for them. I found this position by typing law into the keyword search and setting the position type as internship.
When I talk to students vested in working in government something I like to say is: Explore options beyond the Federal Government for government jobs. I strongly encourage investigating State and Local opportunities too. A great example of this principle is the Policy Analyst position listed in C3. This job really resonates with me because it centers on special education policy in DC schools. It sounds like a fascinating opportunity to analyze policy and work towards the Division of Special Education mission of ensuring all DC children with developmental delays and disabilities have access to high quality services and education.
If I didn’t already have a job I would unquestionably apply for this position. In fact, I might regardless because this sounds like such an incredible and fun opportunity. Community Elf was founded in 2009 by two former McKinsey and Company alumni and is a social media management company. The position has a desirable level of autonomy and leadership as it entails coordinating with the development team, overseeing social media account managers, assigning tasks, establishing goals, and conducting performance reviews. They also sound like a down to Earth company to work for as they are looking for someone who has a pet peeve of inefficiency, are a jack-of-all-trades kind of person, love every day being completely different, and of course have an interest in social media and want to help transform the way companies drive their growth. Oh, and did I mention you’d be working in the exciting and innovative atmosphere of a startup company? Don’t miss this opportunity!
There are more than a few times where I’ve sat in my driveway or the parking garage, unable to turn off the car because the story someone was telling on the radio was so fascinating I had to wait to hear the end! The Institute of Southern Jewish Life in Jackson, Mississippi is giving someone the chance to help capture the stories and narratives that have shaped the history of the Southern Jewish experience by working as an Oral History Intern. Imagine spending your summer traveling through communities in the American South interviewing and filming subjects as a means of sharing and preserving history. And if that doesn’t sound amazing enough, as a native Southerner, I can also assure you’re bound to encounter some of the best eats you’ve ever had!
I don’t know about you but I loved going to Toys”R”Us as a child. Toys”R”Us, Inc. is the world’s leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. They’re seeking a Junior Business Analyst for Information Technology at the global headquarters in Wayne, New Jersey. The Junior Business Analyst works as part of a Project Team that is formed to deliver particular solutions. The JBA reports to an IT Manager; however, his/her day-to-day work is likely to be assigned and monitored by either an IT Project Manager or an IT Senior Business Analyst. Working at Toys”R”Us I would never have to grow up!
Are you the type of person that has always been savvy financially? Would you like to learn how to become smart with your money while creating fun and innovative ideas to help a new business go national? As an Editorial or Social Media intern with GoGirl Finance you’ll be able to use your skills and knowledge within social media to increase traffic and brand awareness through media networking. This would be a great opportunity not only to utilize your writing abilities, but also learn more about social media, product management, entrepreneurship and finance! I found this opportunity on C3 by selecting “Entrepreneurship” as the job function. No finance experience is needed and all majors are encouraged to apply. Who wouldn’t want to work for a company whose founder is Alum of U-M? Go Blue!
How does spending a gap-year in New York City sound? The New York City Teaching Residency would be a great way to acquire a wide range of skills, to work with a diverse group, and to spend time thinking about what’s next in your life, all while living in The Big Apple. If accepted, residents will also earn a master’s degree through a subsidized program at St. John’s University. If you have ever considered a future in education, education policy, or working with today’s youth, then this would be a wonderful experience for you to consider.
Using “entertainment” as a keyword on C3, I discovered this internship with the Tennis Channel in Santa Monica, California. The position deals with the delivery of related news and events to the public through television broadcasting, social media, and other platforms. Interns will engage in consumer analysis and distribution research while becoming adjusted within the sports entertainment industry. This is an ideal internship for someone looking for experience in sports broadcasting, and who likes the idea of spending the summer out West.
Do you like to work with animals? Are you interested in animal training, conservation, and relevant public education? If so, check the various internship opportunities with Oceans of Fun, in Milwaukee, WI, a globally recognized leader in the field of marine mammal care and training. You will learn about animal diets, facility care, animal training, medical programs, and assist the staff in educating the public about how to care for the environment.
Are you interested in helping others this summer while enjoying one of our Great Lakes? Goodwill Industries of West Mi is hiring a Case Manager Intern to help support the work of their full time Case Managers. The positions are unpaid, but they are only looking for a 10-12 hour a week time commitment, leaving plenty of time to pick up a part time job and enjoy all that sunny Muskegon has to offer. The role would be a fantastic introduction to clinical work in counseling, social work, advocacy based fields and education. In this role, you would be a resource, problem solver, confidant, mentor, teacher, and assistant – learning a lot about yourself and others along the way. This internship is open to Juniors and Seniors from any major.
