Intern FAQ
What is an internship?
An internship is a career-related work experience that typically lasts one semester, but may last longer.

What is a good internship?
A potential internship site should:

• Offer pre-professional tasks (less than 50% clerical work)
• Offer conscientious training and on-going supervision
• Provide a student with an overview of all departments and functions of the organization. Depending on the student's major and background, he/she may be able to rotate to many different departments and/or functions
• Offer extra opportunities (i.e. be included in staff meetings, seminars, traveling off-site to clients, etc.)
• Be committed to mentoring, including career advice and constructive feedback
• Offer creative compensation if internship is unpaid (payment for parking, mileage, special events access, etc)

What is the role of the CRC in my internship?
The staff of the CRC can provide you with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to identify, obtain, participate, and reflect on your experience.

We can…

• Send you email regarding new internship opportunities
• Provide professional career guidance in your search and beyond
• Arrange on-campus interviews with potential internship employers

Experiential Education Office
Career Resource Center
First Floor-Reitz Union
(352) 392-1601 EXT 206
ExperientialEducation@crc.ufl.edu
Office Hours:  Monday-Friday, 8 AM-4:45 PM

• Begin your search by taking a moment to complete this Interest Assessment Form. This form will help you to find out where your internship interests lie.
   
• If you have not joined our contact list, join today so that we can notify you of new internship opportunities by email.
   
• If you intend to interview on campus, or want your resume to go out to the employers who interact with the Career Resource Center (CRC) you will need to register with Gator CareerLink
   
• You may also wish to check on the following:
   
  • Financial Aid - How will participating in an internship affect any of the financial aid packages you receive?  Contact the Office for Student Financial Affairs, S-107 Criser Hall, 392-1275
     
  • Academic Credit - Look into the pros & cons of receiving academic credit. Check with an advisor in your department for more information.
     
• International Students - Visit the International Student Services Office to ensure that you are eligible to work in the United States. International Student Services is housed in the International Center, located in Grinter Hall, 392-5323.

• Attend a Co-op and Internship Workshop. We also offer additional career workshops to assist you with your search.
   
• Attend the Career Showcase - The Career Showcase occurs in the Fall and Spring. More than 100 companies come to campus to recruit Intern and Co-op students.
   
• Brush up on your resume-writing skills:
   
  1. Visit the CRC Library.  Books on resume writing and sample resumes are available.
      
  2. Write a draft of your resume. A sample resume for download can be found at the bottom of this page.
      
  3. Attend a "Resume Preparation" Workshop. This will provide valuable information, including examples and a Q&A period to ask specific resume questions. All workshops are 50 minutes in length and are held in the CRC Workshop Room, CR-160. No sign-up - just show up!
      
  4. Continue to fine-tune your resume and proceed to the next step (if needed).
      
  5. Get your resume critiqued by a CRC staff member. Career Ambassadors and full-time staff are available in the library to critique your resume.
      
• Improve your interviewing skills:
   
  1. Visit the CRC Library.  Books on successful interviewing strategies are available.
      
  2. Attend an "Interviewing Techniques" Workshop. All workshops are 50 minutes in length and are held in the CRC Workshop Room, CR 160. No sign up - just show up!
      
  3. Do a Mock Interview. Make an appointment in the CRC library to participate in a practice interview with a trained Career Ambassador or a volunteer employer.
      
• When you start your search, check out:
   
  • Internship directories in the CRC library
     
  • Internship information on the Internet
    Visit the Career Related Links section of the CRC Library page.
    
  • Other web sites about Internship Opportunities.
       
• Intern resources in your academic departments
  Every academic department is different in dealing with internships. Sometimes professors within departments coordinate structured internships for students. Sometimes internship opportunities are listed on bulletin boards. Both of these are effective methods of finding internships, but diligence is required. Do some "investigative reporting."
   
  Action Steps:
  1. Ask professors/academic advisors about internship opportunities.
      
  2. Look in your department for employment-related bulletin boards.
      
  3. Go to various departments, and ask if there is someone in the department who coordinates internships or if there is a binder that contains internship listings.
      
• Career Connections career networking program (a database of alumni interested in providing assistance)

• If you receive an offer over the phone, do not accept unless you have the offer in writing. The offer letter should include the details associated with the position such as start date, salary and other financial benefits, and location. If the company cannot provide you with a written offer, ask if you can think about it and call them with an answer by an agreed upon date.
   
• If you receive multiple offers, take time to consider each one individually. Think about the elements of the position (i.e. the company, the location, the type of work you would be doing, your career plans, etc.) and categorize them in order of importance. If you need assistance making your decision, stop by the Internship Office to discuss your options.
   
• You also might want to attend the CRC Workshop "Deciding Upon a Job Offer."
   
• In the event that you receive an offer before you have completed all of your scheduled interviews or if you simply need some more time to make your decision, consider asking for an extension. This should be done in writing, if possible.  It is entirely the company's prerogative to grant or deny a request for an extension. Always be prepared for either possibility. If you are granted an extension, keep the company updated on your progress and be sure to ask questions regarding any concerns or issues you may have regarding the offer.
   
• When you accept an offer, always do so in writing. Be sure to reiterate the terms of the offer (start date, salary, etc.) in your letter to ensure that you and your employer are in total agreement.
   
• If you decline an offer, contact the employer promptly and be professional. This should also be done once you have accepted an offer and you have pending offers from other employers. It is not necessary to provide reasons behind your decision but remember to be courteous and thank that employer for the offer. Remember, you may have contact with that company in the future, and you don't want to burn bridges.

• If you wish to receive credit through your department, obtain a description of your internship assignment from your employer. Visit your department advisor to find out about and complete any required forms.
   
• Upon approval by your department - register for the required class.
   
• Verify any deadline dates and requirements for obtaining the credit.
   
• Don't forget to pay your fees before you leave campus. You will not receive a notice.
   
• Re-contact the Financial Aid office (if applicable).
   
• Re-contact the International Student Center (if applicable).
   
• Check on your housing. You will need to make arrangements for both your Gainesville and your work site housing needs.

• Learn as much as you can about the organization.
     
• Sit down with your supervisor and establish mutually agreed-upon goals so you know what is expected of you.
       
• Understand that some general office work is part of the job.
   
• Introduce new ideas gradually and avoid trying to change too much too soon.
   
• Ask for more responsibility. Actively look for things to do. This initiative will prepare you for better positions in the future.
   
• NETWORK! Build bridges with the people who are doing what you think you would like to be doing in the future. They may be able to help you in your current position or lead to contacts for future opportunities.
   
• Become familiar with any other interns in the office. Provide a support group for each other. Develop friendships (this will help when your internship is far away from your normal activities).
   
• If you have problems, let us know! Occasionally students may have difficulty with their internship assignments in one way or another. If you experience some problem with your work assignment, don't be afraid to let us know. The Internship Office staff is here to help you with any difficulty you encounter.
  
  Feel free to call or email any of the staff...WE CAN HELP!!
  

• What were your goals prior to the internship?  Did you accomplish them?
   
• What did you accomplish over and above your established goals?
   
• Did this experience help you in your academic/career formation process?
   
• What new equipment or office technology did you master?
   
• What was the most important thing you learned from this experience?