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Locating an internship through effective utilization of all resources and personal marketing will be a tremendous asset upon graduation when you engage in a professional job search. Often, students who design their own internships through careful company research and self reflection report great satisfaction with the internship experience. The process of contacting sites is listed below:
I. Designing an Internship
If you choose to design an internship, you should go through several steps:
1. Write down your learning objectives.
a. Industry specific skills (ex: I will learn to write Public Service Announcements for non-profits.)
b. Transferable skills (ex: I will become familiar with the work environment at a non-profit.)
2. Carefully research the company/organization where you wish to intern.
3. Decide how you will contribute to the company's goals. How can you be an asset?
4. Contact the company to determine contact person within the company.
5. Use your cover letter to propose the internship position to the company.
6. Follow-up by calling or emailing in about a week. At this time, ask the employer if he/she has questions about Truman's internship program and offer to have the Career Center call. If the employer is interested, offer to set up an interview.
II. Contacting Sites
Once you have chosen potential sites, decide which sites best fit the experience you are hoping to gain. We suggest that you contact two or three sites, research them, send your resumes and cover letters, and set up interviews. Start your search early (for local internships, 3-4 months early) in case something doesn't work out and to ensure maximum selection.
III. Making the Follow-up Phone Call
1. Contact Person's Name
Make sure you can pronounce the contact person's name. If you are unsure, call someone in the office and ask. Simply say, "I am trying to contact Mr. Gourgonzoula, I believe his last name is pronounced 'Gorgonzola.' I want to make sure I am pronouncing his name correctly. Is that right?"
2. Resume
Be sure you have your resume in front of you when you place the call. This is important for several reasons. First, your site contact may ask you about your experience. In case you're nervous when you make the call you may not be able to recall some of the classes you've taken or previous work you've done. It will also be a referral for you to know what the employer might already know about you and how you might be able to elaborate on some of your qualifications
3. Professional Demeanor, Enthusiasm, Quiet Surroundings
You want your call to sound professional, so find a quiet time and area to make the call, preferably when roommates are not around and without the distraction of the TV, radio, etc. Remember to project enthusiasm on the phone to ensure that the site contact person can detect you interest. Posture helps. If you sit or stand up straight, you'll sound more professional than if you're lounging or lying down.
4. Practice
It is helpful to practice what you are going to say before contacting you potential internship sites. Review the information under "Making the Call" and practice what you are going to say before you get on the phone.
5. Making the Call
When making the call, identify yourself and ask the receptionist for the internship contact person. Example:
"Hello, my name is Sara Smith. I'm from Truman State University and inquiring about an internship with (company name). May I speak with Paul Ryan, please?"
Once the contact person is on the phone, repeat your introduction and clarify your interest. One way to say this would be:
"Hello, Mr. Ryan, my name is Sara Smith and I'm a junior Chemistry major at Truman State University. I'm inquiring about your internship in the environmental safety/compliance department and to confirm that you received the resume I sent last week. Have a I reached you at a convenient time?"
If you have reached Mr. Ryan at an inconvenient time, be brief and offer to call back later.
Once Mr. Ryan indicates that he has received your resume and it is a good time, you might offer, "I'm very excited about the environmental field-particularly as it pertains to industry. Would it be possible to set up a time to interview and talk further about opportunities in the field?"
If Mr. Ryan is not the appropriate person to speak with, he will most likely forward you to the correct individual. Make sure you ask this individual if s/he would like you to submit additional information. (Somewhere during the conversation, you should mention whether you would like to do the internship for credit or not for credit. This may be important information for some companies.)
Proposal
Letter for Internship
Sara Smith
Truman State University
College Park 124
Kirksville, MO 63501
660-627-1000
March 12, 2001
Mr. Paul Ryan
Director-Environmental Services
Environmental Industries, Inc.
342 Industry Way
Springfield, MO 65802
Dear Mr. Ryan:
I am a junior chemistry major at Truman State University. During the last year I have become particularly interested in industrial chemistry as it pertains to the environmental field. I was especially intrigued by the engineer, Ms. Sally Gold, who spoke to my class last semester about some of the advances your company has recently made in reducing industrial pollutants. As a result, I would like to work at Environmental Industries this summer.
As you will note from my enclosed resume, I have several qualifications for this internship:
* 15 hours of chemistry, including organic, with a cumulative GPA of 3.56,
* an excellent work ethic with a strong desire to protect our environment,
* work experience from full-time summer and part-time school year employment, and
* numerous leadership positions in campus clubs and organizations, including the Stream Team and the Environmental Club.
I will call you next week to confirm that you have received these materials and talk further about an internship or other summer employment opportunities with Environmental Industries, Inc. Once again, I am very enthusiastic about this possibility and look forward to visiting with you.
Sincerely,
Sara Smith
Enclosure
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