Internship Q&A

by Phyllis Korki for the New York Times, May 18, 2008

Is an internship really all that important?

It can be extremely important as a way to determine which industries, companies and types of work are best for you, and as a way to secure future references and job offers.

In years past, it was more common for college students to take summer jobs at local retail outlets or restaurants just to earn money, said John A. Challenger, chief executive of Challenger Gray & Christmas, the outplacement firm. But now an internship is seen as a vital first career step, he said.

Internships are an ideal way to audition new workers, he said. They enable employers “to see who works hard, who gets along with everybody, who seems to fit into their culture,” he said.

Are most internships paid?

About half of all internships offer at least some form of monetary compensation, Mr. Oldman [founder of career website Vault] said, adding that “the sexier the industry, the less likely it is to pay.” (So people wanting spots in TV, film and music, for example, had better prepare accordingly.)

If the internship is unpaid, there’s a good chance that your school will be willing to give you credit for it.

Once you start an internship, how can you make the most of it?

Above all, be realistic. Some people approach internships with a sense of entitlement, Mr. Oldman said, adding that “it’s hard to go from a campus hotshot to a corporate gopher.” Some interns “want to come in and change everything,” he said. It is much more appropriate to approach the internship with a learning attitude, Mr. Challenger said.

Playing the role of the fresh-faced, inquisitive intern can reap big rewards, Mr. Oldman said. Many employees look to interns to inject youthful energy into the workplace, he said: “The last thing an intern should be is jaded. Leave that to the current employees.”

If you feel clueless, use that to your advantage, Mr. Oldman said. “The power of the curious intern can’t be overestimated,” he said. Interns generally have more freedom than the average employee to traverse departments and hierarchies in search of help, he said. They can gain valuable knowledge, and mentors, because most people enjoy sharing their experience with a younger generation.

In general, Mr. Oldman said, “It’s important for an intern to quickly decode the culture of the company and not step outside that.”

That extends to the way you dress, Mr. Challenger said. “A lot of times when you’re younger you want to stake out your identity and show how unique you are,” he said. In the workplace, though, you tend to be judged by your willingness to fit into the group’s norms.

What if you are asked to perform tasks that are boring and menial?

First, accept that you will be asked to perform these kinds of tasks. Be willing to do the menial work “because that shows you are a hard worker,” Mr. Challenger said. “You shouldn’t feel wronged by that.”

At the same time, he said, be on the lookout for projects that will let you showcase more advanced skills. “Look for work, but do it gently or indirectly, and not too assertively,” he said.

Mr. Oldman added, “Do what’s asked of you optimally and then offer your services for additional projects.”

The same advice applies if you find that you don’t have enough to do — which can easily occur if an internship is not well structured.

How can you improve the chances that your internship will lead to a job offer?

Before you leave, “build a bridge to the future,” Mr. Challenger said. Go over what you learned with your managers, and tell them how much you appreciated the opportunity to work with them. Write thank-you letters to the people who helped you.

And ask whether your managers would be willing to write a letter of recommendation before you leave, Mr. Oldman said. That way, even if your internship does not lead to a job at that company, it will help clear a path to your eventual employer.

Updated 12.28.2009