Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, December 4, 1994 TAG: 9412080014
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CAMILLE WRIGHT MILLER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A: Tina Rolen, at Hollins College, suggests companies ``do internal work and reach agreement about how to use interns'' before bringing them on board.
Rolen, assistant director of the college's Career Development Center, finds internships mutually beneficial for students and companies. Beyond what the intern gains, organizations "find excellent job candidates - up to 30 percent of corporate hires come from interns,'' she said.
Rolen offers some questions for clarifying internships: ``Who will be involved in supervision? What are the goals for the company? What should the intern hope to accomplish? What skills are needed? How can the intern use these skills to grow in a career and contribute to the company?''
Rolen has found that successful internships are project-oriented, giving an example of an internship in which a student designed a service brochure. The student gained skills and the company added a promotional tool. Rolen notes other possibilities, such as customer surveys and number crunching with a report summarizing results.
Internships are not ``free grunt labor. Students want clear professional experience from their internships,'' Rolen said.
When you have answered all the questions and identified a specific project, call local colleges. Coordinators for internships can be reached at the following numbers: Hollins College (362-6272), Roanoke College (375-2303), Virginia Western Community College (857-7272).
Q: As a college junior, my resume looks sparse. I'd like an internship, but I'm not sure I have the time.
A: Susan Wilkinson, coordinator of career planning at Roanoke College, said internships provide opportunities for ``making job contacts, networking and beefing up resumes.'' Wilkinson views internships as ``a foot in the door, one of the best routes to landing a full-time job.'' Few opportunities offer as much - students should make time.
If you're unclear about internship directions, research, read, go on informational interviews, and ``job shadow'' for a fuller picture of the profession. Wilkinson recommends sending resumes and cover letters to several companies.
Larger companies are usually prepared to offer the experience and supervisory personnel. Follow-up with phone calls expressing interest. Inform prospective sponsors that you're ``looking for experience and willing to take on projects for which they haven't sufficient staff.'' In focusing on projects, Wilkinson says you ``make clear that you aren't volunteering for errand and copy duty.'' When meeting prospective sponsors, Wilkinson encourages students to discuss "internship guidelines, expectations, and what the student hopes to gain. Students should ask for feedback" to ensure expectations are reasonable, she said.
College students should plan at least one internship per academic year and one per summer. Solid internship experience leads to excellent employment.
Q: If legal satisfaction in age discrimination suits is unlikely, as this column suggested, what hope do I have of getting a good job?
A: It's unfortunate, but the burden falls to the job seeker. Revisit the basics with a two-fold plan. The first part is an aggressive job search plan. The second, an aggressive self-evaluation and improvement plan.
For the first, identify likely employers. Send resumes and cover letters by the hundreds. It will take that many. Network.
Have others critically review your resume. Use the suggestions to polish your resume. Use the best quality paper and printer you can. Proofread cover letters carefully. Practice job interview skills with interested friends. Ask for feedback. Call on all friends and acquaintances. Tell them you're looking for work and would appreciate their sharing your resume with anyone who might be interested. Since you aren't asking them for a job, they're more likely to help as a direct favor.
Attitude, presentation of self, and updated skills are part of the self-improvement plan. As difficult as it can be, keep a positive attitude. Employers react more positively if you take an optimistic approach. Give your working wardrobe an inspection. Make sure your clothes are in the best shape and as up-to-date as possible. Tour up-scale clothing stores for a frame of reference. Take classes to build skills. Continuing education classes are important for staying current. You'll also add to your resume and demonstrate your interest in continued growth.
Keep in mind that your search may take longer and you'll have to work harder, but persistence pays.
by CNB