1. Know the academic policies and procedures regarding internships for your major.
- Read the university catalog in effect at the time of your registration and first term at Fontbonne.
- Talk with your academic advisor and/or internship instructor. International students need to speak with the Director of International Affairs regarding internship eligibility.
2. Determine the type of internship most suitable for you.
Exploration: suitable for students with limited work experience and/or unclear career focus.
Objectives:
- Gain practical work experience related to your academic major and tentative career goals.
- Test career options.
- Get hands-on understanding of the realities of today’s work world.
- Develop networking contacts.
Pre-Employment: suitable for students with related work experience and clear career focus.
Objectives:
- Gain in-depth knowledge, experience and expertise related to your career goals.
- Expand networking contacts.
Conversion of Existing Part-Time Jobs Into Internships for Academic Credit: Job tasks, duties, or responsibilities MUST include developmental learning which is relevant to your academic studies and career goals:
- Special assignments or projects.
- Job rotations.
- In-service trainings or certification programs.
3. Prioritize industries or fields of interest. Realize that you can have an Accounting internship with a Public Relations firm or a Public Relations internship in an Accounting firm.
4. Establish geographic (local, regional, national, international) and time (fall or spring semester or summer term) preferences.
5. Identify employer eligibility requirements:
- Application deadline(s)
- Class level(s)
- Grades/GPA
- Academic major
- Work experience/Related experience
- Extra-curricular activities
- Transferable skills (communications, human relations, organization and planning, administration and management, research and investigation)
- Length and time
- Needs specific to individual employer
- Accepts/does not accept international applicants
6. Research employer benefits: (Remember that experience is the most important benefit!)
- Salary/stipends
- Reimbursements (meals, parking, transportation, housing)
- Training
- Professional development opportunities (seminars, workshops, in-services)
- Possible future employment
7. Make an appointment with Fontbonne’s career development staff for help with:
- Employer research
- Cover letters
- Resumes
- Networking
- Interviewing
- “On-the-job” strategies for successful interning