Gaining professional experience while still a student is essential for today’s job market, and an internship is the modern-day equivalent of an entry-level position.
To land that plum opportunity, students must be proactive in their search, and aware of the skills needed for their target industry, says Elizabeth Simmons, associate director of Career and Professional Development at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
More than 91 percent of employers prefer candidates with relevant work experience, and graduates with more internships have higher odds of being employed six months after graduation, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ 2018 Internship and Co-op Survey.
Simmons says internships should be conducted between the sophomore and junior years of college, then again between the junior and senior years, ideally. This gives students at least two opportunities to gain critical skills and to network in their chosen career fields. The first step is to know what skills you lack and which businesses in your preferred industry can help you acquire them.
“It’s always good to know the leading organizations in your field,” Simmons said. “Having those on a resume grabs attention, which leads to better employment prospects upon graduation.” Then, create a target list of organizations or professionals in your desired field, and reach out to them directly. “These meetings are most effective when you talk with them about their career choices and advice they can share,” Simmons said. At least 80 percent of all jobs are found through networking, which applies for internships even more so, Simmons says.
| “Employers want employees who are strong critical thinkers, are flexible, take initiative, and have a strong work ethic — meaning that you show up on time, are consistently reliable, are a strong team player and are committed to getting the job done.” |
Simmons urges students and job seekers to remember that “everything you do and that you present on your resume is an indication of the type of employee you will be.
“Employers want employees who are strong critical thinkers, are flexible, take initiative, and have a strong work ethic — meaning that you show up on time, are consistently reliable, are a strong team player and are committed to getting the job done,” she said. “All of these characteristics can be communicated in the interview and in your resume, and they are the strongest desires of employers.”
Tips Simmons says could make the difference in your search:
Make sure to start your internship application process early. Many businesses close applications for summer internships by March, sometimes earlier, which means you need to start doing your research at the beginning of the spring semester for maximum success. If you are doing an internship during the academic year, you need to apply early in the semester before your internship semester.
Preparation is the key. “You get only one chance to make a great first impression, so make sure it counts and present yourself as a confident, well-spoken student with a firm handshake and good eye contact during any meetings or interviews,” Simmons said. “That will begin the kind of professional reputation you want to create.”
Make sure you follow up with any professionals you meet or interview with. “Send a thank-you card or email. Reiterate specific points of interest or topics you discussed,” Simmons said. “This communicates the type of employee or intern you will be with attention to detail and a professional manner. This also begins a reputation that will be hard to forget, and that’s your goal — to present yourself as the confident, articulate problem-solver you have become.”
Consider all offers, not just paid internships. Whether an intern should be paid or not is a topic often debated, and it may depend on the field and the competition. But by looking only for a paid internship, you may be limiting yourself. “There are laws in place to ensure students aren’t being taken advantage of and aren’t acting as a substitute for a permanent employee,” Simmons said. “However, the most important factor to keep in mind is the long-term value of the internship. The time invested in the experience will typically pay out in a quicker and better job offer upon graduation. If you demonstrate you have the skills being sought, you will create a greater demand for yourself and make yourself more employable.”
UAB’s HireABlazer currently has more than 200 internships and 1,000 part-time and full-time positions. UAB students who want to learn how to secure or identify an internship can reach out to Career and Professional Development for help with success strategies and opportunities to gain experience in their field. Call 205-934-4324 or email careerservices@uab.edu.