Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Summer Internships are Still Available!

By Megan Garber

It is not too late to find an internship for the summer!! If you don’t have your summer plans set in stone yet, don’t despair. Last week alone there were over 50 new internships posted to CaneZone and employers with opportunities include VISA, Bacardi, Bloomberg, Fontainebleau, HBO Latin America Group, and the Florida Marlins, just to name a few!

Currently, there are over 300 internships on our CaneZone system. Still can’t find something that interests you? Check out UCAN, a comprehensive online internship database that is shared by 22 prestigious colleges and universities. UCAN currently has 1700+ internship postings across the U.S. and the globe. Employers who recently posted internships on UCAN include General Electric, Denver Broncos, Boston’s Children Museum, MTV Networks, Shedd Aquarium, and National Parkinson Foundation. Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Internships.com is the largest internships database in the world and you’re sure to find something that peaks your interests. Finally, don’t forget to check out Twitter and search for #intern.

Paid and Unpaid Internships
If possible, consider both paid and unpaid opportunities, but remember that internship providers (other than government agencies and not-for-profit agencies) are required by federal law to either pay or award academic credit to their interns. Compensation must be at least minimum wage or equal out to minimum wage per hour if payment comes in the form of a stipend. Government agencies and not-for-profit agencies are allowed to offer unpaid/no-credit internships without violating these laws. However, the Toppel Career Center recommends some sort of compensation. Remember if your employer requires you to receive academic credit for your internship you can go through the Toppel Internship Program. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Frits Bigham at fbigham@miami.edu

Resume, Cover Letter, and Interview Help

If you’re applying for lots (20+) of internships and not receiving any interviews, it’s time to take a closer look at your resume and cover letter. Come in for walk-in advising, Monday-Thursday from 2:00-4:00 pm and have a Toppel staff member take a look. Click here to review the Graduate Assistants’ advice on how to jam your way to a great resume and click here to read Monica’s tips for bringing your cover letter from inception to reality.
If you have had several first and/or second round interviews, but are not receiving any internship offers, it is time to get a second opinion on your interviewing skills. Remember, interviewing is all about fit. You may be qualified for the position, but does your personality best fit with the team? Do the boss and your potential co-workers want to spend every day working with you? When faced with sharing 8 hours a day with someone new, it is amazing how small social cues, non-words, and body language can be interpreted. Stop by for a mini mock interview, Tuesday – Thursday from 2:00 – 4:00 pm, to have your interviewing skills critiqued, and feel more confident knowing how you come across to others. You can also practice on your computer using the Optimal Resume software available on the Home page of your CaneZone account. Click here to read Toppel's Interviewing Skills Guide.

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