Jim McGrath, of Cisco Systems states, “If we’re looking to hire 600 software engineers one year, we’re looking to hire at least 300 of them from our internship program.”
If you are currently a student, check your program options to see if college credit may be earned for completing an internship. Serving an internship might even be a requirement for completing your degree. Often, these internships are completed before the senior year. The Federal Work Study Program (FSW) may offer another college internship option. In the June 5, 2009, Inside Tucson Business, Mark Dalessandro explains that “local universities encouraged their students receiving financial aid from…FSW Program to work off campus at nonprofit groups.” This option may allow you to find an internship more closely matched with you career goals than those provided on-campus.
Internships are not limited to summer experiences or to college students. Lisa Jenkins offers tips on Winning Internships for Non-College Students. Your geographic location may not limit internship opportunities. Virtual internships offerings have recently expanded. About.com discusses The Rising Popularity of Virtual Internships.
Additional Resources
- Career Specialists at Illinois workNet Centers can provide assistance in your career exploration or job search
- Work Study Options
- As an intern, you cannot work for free except in limited situations. Forbes explains the legal issues pertaining to unpaid internships
- Inroads’ mission “is to develop and place talented minority youth in business and industry and prepare them for corporate and community leadership.”
Typically internships are short term, where an intern gets job training and takes what is learned in the classroom and applies it to the real world. Interns usually have a supervisor that assigns tasks and evaluates their work. It is a great opportunity to make professional contacts and improve job prospects.
Career fairs are a great place to network with companies who may have internship opportunities. Check out the career fairs and events in your area on Illinois workNet.
Search for internships using the Illinois workNet Job Search Tool. Follow these steps to find internships that can help you get hands-on experience in a career area of interest to you.
Step 1: Click here to access the Job Board Page on Illinois workNet.
Step 2: Click on the Illinois Job Search Tool link
Step 3: Enter your zip code, and the keyword “Intern” to search for internships in your area.
Step 4: Click on links to select internships that interest you, and read the descriptions.
Step 5: Apply for the job, if the internship matches your interests and skills.
Note: Be sure to update your resume with internship experience relevant to the job you are applying for - internships can be considered employment experience. Depending on the type of resume you use, and amount of experience you have, an internship is included on a resume in the work history section or the skills section . Click here to review sample resumes used when applying for an internship.