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What Internships Can Improve Experience in My Major?

I will be working toward majoring in Communications and Political Sciences, and I want to make sure I have every opportunity to learn as much as possible about my dream job, and improving my nation! #career

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Ken’s Answer

You have some very interesting goals! From my years in Human Resources and College Recruiting, I would like to offer the following tips on how to end up in a situation which is most productive for you and one in which you can reach the highest level of fulfillment.

Ken recommends the following next steps:

The first step is to take an interest and aptitude test and have it interpreted by your school counselor to see if you share the personality traits necessary to enter the field. You might want to do this again upon entry into college, as the interpretation might differ slightly due to the course offering of the school. However, do not wait until entering college, as the information from the test will help to determine the courses that you take in high school. Too many students, due to poor planning, end up paying for courses in college which they could have taken for free in high school.
Next, when you have the results of the testing, talk to the person at your high school and college who tracks and works with graduates to arrange to talk to, visit, and possibly shadow people doing what you think that you might want to do, so that you can get know what they are doing and how they got there. Here are some tips: ## http://www.wikihow.com/Network ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/nonawkward-ways-to-start-and-end-networking-conversations ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/4-questions-to-ask-your-network-besides-can-you-get-me-a-job?ref=carousel-slide-1 ##
Locate and attend meetings of professional associations to which people who are doing what you think that you want to do belong, so that you can get their advice. These associations may offer or know of intern, coop, shadowing, and scholarship opportunities. These associations are the means whereby the professionals keep abreast of their career area following college and advance in their career. Here are some tips: ## https://www.careeronestop.org/BusinessCenter/Toolkit/find-professional-associations.aspx?&frd=true ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/9-tips-for-navigating-your-first-networking-event ##
Regarding locating internships, here is an interesting story: Let me share an interesting story about internships: During my daughter's senior year in high school, the highlight of the year (and of the whole high school experience) was to be a several month long internship program. Everyone signed up and indicated the type of internship that they wanted - all except for one girl. This girl wanted to become a doctor and wanted her internship to be with the local EMS unit at the local fire station. So, she talked to the head of the EMS unit and got his approval and made arrangements with the school to create her own internship. Of all of the students about which I heard, she was the one who benefited the most by her internships. My daughter's was definitely not the highlight of her school career. Her first choice fell through and her final assignment was not really what she wanted and did not give her the type of exposure that she had hoped for. This shows that you can create your own internship! Locate a company that fits the parameters of the type of experience and exposure that you are seeking and work with them and the appropriate people in your school to put it in motion. After all, if there is an internship program existing today, anywhere, it had to be created by someone.
It is very important to express your appreciation to those who help you along the way to be able to continue to receive helpful information and to create important networking contacts along the way. Here are some good tips: ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-informational-interview-thank-you-note-smart-people-know-to-send?ref=recently-published-2 ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/3-tips-for-writing-a-thank-you-note-thatll-make-you-look-like-the-best-candidate-alive?bsft_eid=7e230cba-a92f-4ec7-8ca3-2f50c8fc9c3c&bsft_pid=d08b95c2-bc8f-4eae-8618-d0826841a284&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_20171020&utm_source=blueshift&utm_content=daily_20171020&bsft_clkid=edfe52ae-9e40-4d90-8e6a-e0bb76116570&bsft_uid=54658fa1-0090-41fd-b88c-20a86c513a6c&bsft_mid=214115cb-cca2-4aec-aa86-92a31d371185&bsft_pp=2 ##
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Nicole’s Answer

Hi Skyler B. I see that you posted this question a little while ago so I hope my answer to you (or others who may read this response) is still helpful.

One thing to consider...working as a volunteer in a campaign field office. It could be a great place to learn because many times these field offices are small enough that you get to see "how things work", you get to create and/or support messaging on the part of the campaigner and...you will get exposed to the political science part of your interests.

Hope this helps. Best of luck to you!
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Lashay’s Answer

Hi Skylar: I agree with Ken. You can make your own internships by calling, emailing, or going in person to a place and ask for the person who is in charge of managing interns. I recommend calling first. If no answer or message, email a follow up after one week. If neither work either go in pert or consider a different organization for which to intern. I recommend waiting until your sophmore year of college if you choose to go to college. If not, you can try as a high school senior or grad but depending on the size of your city, employers may want a current college student. I say, dream big based on your interests. Go for internships at places where you can imagine yourself arriving on time each day, think about what skills you can offer no matter how big or hard, and list what you want to learn. These are the things you will speak about in an interview or meeting. If you can convince them how clear you are on your goal, you can create an internship for yourself easier. Also, be persistent by not giving up on contacting too quickly. Be consistent with what you say, don't change your goal or what you can learn or do unless it actually does change. Good luck!

Lashay recommends the following next steps:

List companies that you want to intern for
Call first, email to follow up. Google search phone number. Ask for email contact of manager of interns. Have your message prepared " I would like to intern in your organization in the_____dept. I have studied (name classes or skills). Currently in (state grade or college level). I'm hope to learn (list skills). I've searched the website and completed the internship application. What are the next steps. (Make sure you actually do complete it or don't say it they can look and see)
If they don't have an application for interning, ask how you can apply. If they've never had an intern, ask if they'd be willing to take one on or if they could benefit from one.
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