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CareerNow! Blog: Looking for a Job? Consider an Internship.

Posted June 10, 2009

CareerNow! Blog: Looking for a Job? Consider an Internship.

Are you a recent college graduate? Are you having trouble finding a job in this economy? If so, why not consider an internship? Toddi Gutner ‘s article from the Wall Street Journal explores some of the benefits and ways that college graduates can make an internship work for them.

If you are thinking that most internships are aimed toward undergrads, Donald Asher, a career expert and author of Who Gets Promoted and Why points out that “there has never been such a high level of graduates taking internships,” and that graduates can find internships if they are “resourceful, target their efforts and are willing to work at convincing a company to create one for them.” In order to get an internship created for you:

• Use your network to find someone at the company you are interested in to assist you

• Explain that while you know there are no positions available that you would like to come in for an informational interview.

• Make sure you ask significant questions and that you have researched the company.

• Make suggestions of what you can offer and would like to do.

The best internships should offer meaningful work, a mentor relationship and opportunities to develop professional contacts and connections. Asher emphasizes your ultimate goal should be to “make sure there is a work project with a finished product and a highly positive letter of recommendation.”

Remember that even if the internship does not turn into a full time position that you should not get discouraged. Instead, focus on the positives such as possibly gaining more confidence, experience and making valuable connections.

For more information on internships and informational interviewing check out the Career Resource Library’s Internships Career Guide and Informational Interviewing Career Guide.

blogged by Tracy Vingo