Internship Seminar Natalie Murawska

I recently attended a workshop called Internship Seminar and I was very pleased with how helpful and informative the workshop was. Theresa Accardi, who is the Internship Coordinator, basically directed the whole workshop and did a very good job at presenting how we can go about obtaining an internship. She first talked about what an internship was and the kinds that are available. An internship can best be known as a learning experience or career exploration to see if this is what you see yourself doing in your near future. She noted that it’s important to complete the internship tutorial before applying for an internship, which is available on baruchcuny.edu/careers, so I know this is the first step before applying. She outlined the important steps to take to get an internship which I will briefly share with you. First, we have to develop a resume and cover letter, and get it reviewed at the Starr Career Development Center. The next step is to look for internship listings on STARR search and see what really interests you and you qualify for. Before we prepare for interviews, we have to send the resume to the employer so that it can be looked over. Of course it’s important to prepare for interviews ahead of time to decrease the nervousness and feel more confident when asked specific questions, such as “What do You see yourself doing in the next 10 years?” If you get an offer, the last step is to notify the Starr Career Development Center and begin this learning experience that will benefit you tremendously before you are secured a job. She mentioned that we are even able to obtain credit for an internship but first we must consult the professor who handles internships for the major. There are two other types of internships which are unpaid and paid. Most internships are unpaid, but there is a slight chance one may get an internship and be paid for it. For freshman, she didn’t recommend looking so much into getting an internship, but she stressed the importance of attending these workshops to get an idea of what we have to do the following years in college. Something I learned that I didn’t think was so important before, was when someone interviews you or receives your resume and is considering you as a potential intern at the company, it is so important to send a Thank You letter for his or her time and consideration. Employers are really appreciative of Thank You letters. Theresa also talked about getting along in the workplace; it’s important to communicate with your supervisor to prevent miscommunications. Things we should avoid are talking about personal issues, complaining, and walking out on an internship. Towards the end of the workshop, she also provided us with tips on how to be an effective “small talker.” It’s important to always keep a sincere smile, be curious about other people, be engaging and strike up conversations with new people, and most importantly, be a good and attentive listener. All these helpful tips will definitely help me in the future when I begin networking with professionals or begin my search for an internship.