For students interested in learning more about preparing for and applying for internships, you can
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Read further about Preparing for an Internship below
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Obtain a copy of our Getting an Internship brochure from the Student Development Office,
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Or talk to a career counselor and/or department advisor.
PREPARING FOR AN INTERNSHIP
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Focus on your Career Interests and
Goals Think about the area(s) in which you would
be interested in working. These fields may be directly related to your
major or minor, or they may be different. Do some self-assessment.
What are your strengths and weaknesses? What new skills would you like
to learn? You can learn more about specific careers through the
Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/oco).
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Identify Internships-
- Check with your academic
department to see if they know of any available internships.
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The College of Business
Administration and Public Policy has its own internship coordinator and internship postings.
Contact Carolyn Harris at charris@csudh.edu or call 310-243-3735.
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Network with faculty, family,
co-workers, classmates, friends, and job fair employers. Join a
professional association.
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Research internship books.
- Check company Web sites for
postings, or contact companies directly.
Apply for Internships
· Check with your department to
see what their internship policy is regarding academic credit. Are you
required to enroll in a particular class, or can you take independent
study?
· Based on your self-assessment,
the internship description, and company research, create a resume and
cover letter that are tailored to the internship.
· Create a timeline showing the
company’s contact information, how and when you intend to contact them,
and if there are any application deadlines. Follow this timeline when
sending your resume and following up with employers.
Prepare to interview
· Research the organization
online. Be knowledgeable about their mission statement, history,
services, leadership, and recent developments.
· Be prepared to address
anything in your resume and cover letter.
· Review the internship
description, develop a list of potential questions, and practice your
answers.
· To refine your skills, attend
an Interview Skills workshop (link to its month) or practice with a career
counselor.
CSUDH Departments offering internship
courses for credit, are listed in the Catalog
These will be referred to as “practicum,”
internship,” “fieldwork,” or “cooperative education” courses. |