What are the steps to obtaining an Internship?

• Step 1 - Analyze Your Skills, Values, and Interests: Also, examine your academic and career goals. Determine the location and working environment desired. Talk to a CSC Career Counselor if you wish to further explore these areas. Prepare a resume and cover letter and have them critiqued at the CSC.
• Step 2 - Explore Academic Credit: Check with your department for college/department qualifications and requirements. Determine with a faculty member if Experiential Learning: UNIV 262; 362; or 462 is right for you. Or, you may be eligible to register for UNIV 364-Experiential Internship- to receive elective credit through the Career Services Center.
• Step 3 - Make a List of Prospective Internship Sites: Gather information from directories,guides, career services, Blue Hen Careers, and academic departments. Network with friends, family, faculty, and other contacts. Research companies to determine interest. Activate your user name and password by attending an Blue Hen Careers Orientation so that you can search for internships in the Career Services' database. Go to www.udel.edu/CSC/handouts.html to locate the Internship handout which lists numerous internship resources on the internet. Review internship directories and other listings at 401 Academy Street. Contact companies directly to develop your own internship opportunities.
• Step 4 - Choose Your Target(s): Narrow your employer list down to a manageable number. Make inquiries, prepare your resume, continue to research, and eliminate based upon the organization's capacity to provide the experience you want.
• Step 5 - Make Contact: Contact your prospective employers for more information about what they do, their intern program, application requirements, and procedures. Make the first contact by letter or phone. Apply, interview, and participate in on-site visits.
• Step 6 - The Waiting Game: Wait for responses. Be patient; it may take a while. Follow up and remain in reasonable contact with the employers. Check, evaluate, and research additional employers / openings. Continue your search. Be persistent, and don't get discouraged.
• Step 7 - Offers - Your Final Decision: Evaluate your offers. Select the position which best fits your goals. Write an acceptance letter to the selected organizations and send rejection letters to others.
• Step 8 - Finalize Academic and Personal Arrangements/Goals: If you are interested, apply to your college/department for academic credit. Otherwise, you may be eligible to register for UNIV 364-Experiential Internship, which is taught by a staff member from the Career Services Center. Make sure of requirements and deadlines.
• Step 9 - Begin the Internship: Good luck!

How do I make the most out of the Internship?

1. Learn the organization. Take a tour and read the literature. Learn how you fit into the big picture.
2. Establish goals / learning objectives. Sit down with your supervisor and establish mutually agreed-upon goals so you know what is expected. Make use of a Learning Contract, available at the CSC.
3. Be conscious of office politics. Learn the power structure and who reports to whom. Maintain confidentiality and avoid gossip.
4. Don't isolate yourself. Ask questions and observe people and their job functions. Think of your current position as a stepping stone. Notice jobs that give you additional skills and experiences toward your career goals. Be visible by doing your job well. Remember the "Three E's - Enthusiasm, Energy, and Excellence." These qualities will make a positive impression on your employer.
5. Deal directly with your supervisor; don't go around him or her. Introduce new ideas gradually and avoid trying to change too much too soon. Ask for more responsibility. This initiative will prepare you for better positions in the future.
6. NETWORK! Build bridges with the people who are doing what you think you'd like to be doing. They may be able to help you in your current position or lead to contacts for future job opportunities.

After the Internship

1. Reflect on your goals (see step #8, Finalize Academic and Personal Arrangements / Goals). Did you accomplish any/all of the items established? What other items did you accomplish over and above your established goals? Did this experience help you in your academic/career formation process?
2. Write a description of the internship and your key responsibilities and accomplishments. Use this to update your resume and be prepared to discuss the experience during future interviews.

CSC Internship Program

The Career Services Center (CSC) can assist you in obtaining an internship. Our career library is stocked with internship listings and directories. We also offer workshops designed to help you write a resume, find an internship, and locate summer and part-time jobs. Stop by our office at 401 Academy Street for information about all the programs and services available to you, or go to http://www.udel.edu/CSC/ to find out what's going on.
Last updated: October 6, 2004