Greetings all, now that the Fall semester is in full swing and our events and workshops are up and running, I thought this would be a good time to remind all of you of the importance of internships as you move forward in your academic progress.
INTERNSHIP AWARENESS
You have probably read and heard a lot about the value of internships in achieving sought after jobs and career- building experiences by the time you graduate…..The measurable and unmeasurable advantages of internships cannot be overstated. This month we will talk about those advantages and offer advice and opportunities that may help you to build the strongest possible resume, assist you to ace the internship interview and acquire experience and confidence building. If you are ready to graduate and haven’t had a chance to do an internship, it’s not too late…consider doing volunteer or pro bono work in your area of interest.
Right now let’s talk about internships: Gone are the days when interns found themselves on the job to carry displays, plug in the coffee pot, make reservations and passively wait in a cube located in some remote part of an office awaiting their next assignment…..not anymore. Today’s interns are front and center. Interns have become an integral part of team success and their employers recognize the importance of their contribution and ultimate success. Employers also realize that they have an opportunity to influence the quality of their workforce going forward.
Everyone has skin in the game, so to speak. Employers look for interns who display a willingness to learn, take direction, contribute and have the requisite skill sets for the internships they offer and hope to instill in their internship during the learning experience.
The intern hones their soft skills essential for career success:
Communication Skills– being able to assert one’s own opinions and expressing concepts clearly
Initiative-approaching problems independently and as opportunities to learn not to be dreaded
Teamwork –Collaborating with others in problem solving team settings
Analytical Skills-interpreting information and recommending solutions
These requisite skills that rank high on the list of what employers want as well as what you can expect to gain from your internship experience.
If you would like to learn more about internships, come to “Your First Internship” on October Tuesday, October 15 at 5pm at the Dobbs Ferry campus in Main Hall 382, or contact us to make a 1-on-1 appointment.
Cheers!
Marguerite.
Mbusetti@mercy.edu
