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St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

Preparation for Job Search

An Internship Guide

What is an internship?

An internship is an out-of-classroom work experience that is related to your major and/or career field of interest and is usually completed for academic credit. It may be paid or unpaid, part or full-time, it can last a semester to a year, or it can take place in the summer.

Do I really need to do an internship?

Yes! Relevant experience is the number one thing employers look for on a resume and without this you may not be able to compete for the positions you seek. There are also employers who use internships as their primary recruiting tool and so their interns take most of the employment opportunities.

More Benefits of Internships:

  • Make powerful contacts with people who can help you obtain future employment.
  • Learn important transferable skills: interpersonal communication, teamwork, problem solving, creativity, work ethic, time-management, leadership, etc.
  • Gain confidence and self esteem in your abilities, skills, and talents.
  • Help you to clarify what you really want to do.

How to Prepare

  • Determine what kind of experience you want/need for the career field you hope to enter.
  • Develop a resume to emphasize your skills. The Career Services Center offers seminars, handouts, sample resumes, computer lab and  resource area to assist you in creating the best possible resume. After you have constructed a resume you can schedule an appointment for a resume critique with Career Services Center staff.
  • Register for an internship search with the SCSU Career Services Center at www.scsucareers.com . Upload your resume into the internship books of your career area.
  • Contact employers early to maximize your opportunities and allow enough time for the interview process.
  • Be prepared for interviews; attend an interviewing seminar or take advantage of the mock interview system offered by the Career Services Center.
  • Follow-up all interviews with a thank-you letter to the interviewer(s) expressing your appreciation and reiterating your interest.

Few Tips

  • Don’t think of money first when you are looking for practical experiences. You’re going to find both paid and non-paid opportunities. Look for experiences that will build your resume and skills. They will pay off in the end.
  • Do consider not-for-profit organizations. These are often neglected sources of employment that are always looking for help, and they can provide rewarding internships for any major.
  • Revise your resume after each internship. Make sure that you include a clear description of your experience and note any important projects where you have shown leadership. Make leadership a separate heading on your resume so that it stands out.
  • In addition to acquiring specific job skills, you are likely to develop other skills that may not be noticeable to you immediately, e.g., customer service, problem solving, communication and critical thinking skills. These skills are highly regarded by employers, and they are portable to any work place. When you add these skills to your resume, be prepared to discuss how you obtained them. If you are developing a career portfolio, include samples.

For more information regarding internships, contact the Career Services Center in CH 215. Call us at (320)308-2151.