Internships can give students the boost they need to launch a successful career. They allow students to get valuable experience and connections, and some degree programs now require students to hold an internship in order to graduate.
Ashley Mueller (pronounced “Miller”) is assistant director of employer relations at Drury University’s Career Planning and Development Office. She previously worked as a recruiter for a financial company where she gained an inside look at how companies hire new employees and interns. She coordinates the university’s internship program where “over 60 percent of students are completing internships for college credit.”
In a recent interview with The Scoop, she shared some advice for students seeking internships.
Q: It seems now more than ever college students are looking for internships. How much of an impact can internships have on an undergraduate’s future careers?
A: According to national data, employers just this past year made full-time offers to 56.5 percent of their interns. So I think just that statistic alone says a lot. Internships can lead to full-time opportunities. I know here at Drury, we survey all of the supervisors that oversee our interns, and over 90 percent of them said they would recommend them for a position in their company if there was one available. I think that would be the biggest benefit. If there isn’t a position in the company for you, you can receive a strong reference from somebody that can speak about the work within your field.
Q: What’s the first thing a student should do when looking for an internship?
A: The very first thing, before anything else, is to clean up your online image. Social media is really big. So if somebody goes out there and starts searching you, they won’t find some garbage or dirt on your Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. Another thing to do is to start getting your materials ready. Make sure you go into your career services office and ask for professional tips on creating your resume and making sure you have your professional attire ready for an interview. Sometimes, opportunities can come up quick, and you want to be sure you’re prepared for those.
Q: In the Springfield area, what are some of the more highly sought after internships?
A: Some of the most popular ones are going to be ones that are nationally recognized. They have a brand name. You can go anywhere in the United States, and people have heard of them. Some of the most popular ones with Drury students are O’Reilly Auto Parts or Bass Pro Shops, which has a new internship program. Nonprofit organizations have also been popular with Drury students.
Q: What are some tips you would have for students on landing the internship?
A: Start early. I would start one to two semesters before you even plan to start that internship. When you’re applying for some of the more competitive internships that occur over the summer a lot of the recruitment starts in the fall. A lot of this goes back to have those professional materials prepared so you’re ready when you begin contacting these companies.
Q: What are some things students should look for in an internship?
A: Some of the things that I would be careful of is making sure that your expectations are clear. It’s really good when [companies] have structure and appear organized. Those will be the places with a good program. You also want people that are enthusiastic about getting your help. You don’t want to feel like you’re going to be a burden every time you have a question because it is a learning process. Another great thing is if they say they have a special project for you to work on. What is really neat about those is that it allows you to take ownership and really make a big difference in a company. It can also be a huge resume booster. Just watch out for when they say, “We’re really behind on filing,” and things like that. Every internship will involve some of that. We all do that in our professional lives, but you want to make sure that you are getting hands-on experience and doing work that pertains to the field you’re in.
Q: How can someone get the most out of their internship?
A: I would say a big [thing] is communicating with your supervisor, and having a set schedule and communicating when you’ll need off for school breaks or finals week can be helpful. I would also say that staying in contact is important. I think this is where students sometimes miss the boat. Follow up and send a thank you note after the internship, and express how much you learned from that opportunity. They invested a lot of time in you as a student. Also, follow up after graduation. Keep in touch with them so you have that strong reference.
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For more information on internships and career advice, contact your university’s career planning office:
