Back to School - Junior Year

As part of my Back to School Series, I am giving my insights (opinion) about things that could be done in the academic years.

Today - the Junior Year

Junior Year:  Getting closer to graduation.

Internship:  You should (must?) have an internship this summer.  Even if you did an internship last summer, it is vital to get one this summer.  The next summer you will be a college graduate (assuming you do the ‘four-year’ route!!!).

What to expect. Find an internship that matches you and your goals.  Yes, it might be nice to get one with a prestigious company; yes, it might be nice to get the highest pay – but find a meaningful internship.  See if you can find previous interns from the companies you are investigating and talk to them. Did they do ‘real work’? Getting coffee, picking up donuts and making copies is not real work.  (Unless your goal is to be an administrative assistant).

Some times, smaller companies give the best internships - as you get to see many different parts of the company, not just doing work in one department.  

Will you have access to managers and even higher-ups managers?  Understand the ‘mission, vision, values’ of the company.  

Do NOT take an unpaid internship.  Yes, you can learn if you do an unpaid internship.   The author strongly feels that you should get paid.  When you get paid, the company expects you to deliver real value to the company.  For unpaid internships, you might get asked to do menial activities – because, after all, you are ‘free help’.  Paid internships help build character – show up on time, work hard, be of value.  

Get started early – and lean on your mentors and your network.  Ultimately you will decide on which company and where. But you need your mentors and network’s support.

Many companies use internships for the “try-before-you-buy” evaluation.  If you like the company, build your rapport so that you can receive a job offer either when you leave the summer internship or in the fall during the prime new hiring season.

And, realize that you are being watched and evaluated through the whole internship.  This is the ‘try-before-you-buy’ concept. If the company takes the interns for a social event, don’t guzzle beer - this is not your fraternity’s party day.  Smile - always; be on time - always; work late - if that is okay; volunteer for extra things; build rapport; ask questions about the job and the environment. For you this is like dating - is this the ‘company’ you want to marry?

Extras: 

Approach your mentor to see if you can do a joint faculty/student academic paper for a conference or journal.

While the author is suggesting not to do an internship with a non-profit company, but it can also be beneficial for you to work for a non-profit.  It will broaden your horizons.

Approach your mentor or professors to be a teaching assistant.  To be remarkable, you need to be able to interact, to be independent and to solve problems.

And … it is time for you to give back.  In your organizations, take a leadership role.  Be a mentor to freshmen students, be a ‘big brother’ or ‘big sister’ in the community.  Help on a ‘Habitat for Humanity’ project. This is your year to become a leader - not a follower!!

Study Abroad:

If you didn’t do a study abroad before, this might be your last chance.  In your senior year, you should be focusing on graduation and first real jobs.  Yes, they can be expensive. You have to work on the experience to make the value meaningful.  For example, a former student, Joe, did his internship in England but made trips to Scotland, France, Germany, Italy (and probably other areas) on his study abroad experience.  In Europe (especially), trains are frequent and student passes are reasonable. Get out of your dorm room!! Live life. Yes, go to the tourist places, but also go to local places.  Go to local churches, local bars, local music events like you were a native.  

Karen