Advisory Council Top Strategies for Internship Success
Susie Schainost, VP Education
On March 31, 2022, IMPACTability’s Advisory Council presented Top Strategies for Internship Success, a virtual seminar for students in the CUNY LEADS (Linking Employment, Academics and Disability Services) program.
Moderator Elaine Rogers led the guest speaker panel through a series of questions about what they look for in an intern and in a resume, as well as tips for a successful internship.
Panelists included:
· Sabine Charles, Chief Internal Auditor at the Touro College & University System; Founder & CEO of Charles Financial Strategies LLC
· James Feeley, Human Resources Specialist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2
· Maryanne Sackarnoski, LEADS Support Specialist, Office of AccessABILITY Services, CUNY Guttman Community College
Panelists shared information about:
· What gets attention when reviewing resumes and applications for internships.
· Tips to make a good impression during the interview process.
· What makes a successful virtual and in-person internship experience.
· Advice to interns.
· Benefits of an unpaid internship.
Throughout the conversation, panelists encouraged students to focus on highlighting their transferable skills — skills that can overlap and be useful in numerous workplace circumstances.
Panelists also encouraged students to:
· Align transferable skills with the job description, showcase communication skills and experiences, especially with customer service and problem-solving situations. Look for ways to distinguish yourself from other applicants through the ways you apply transferable skills.
· Be detail-oriented with your resume and cover letter. Make sure there are no typos. Make the resume appear clean and easy to read.
· Relate your volunteer experience to the job requirements.
· Know the information on your resume so, when asked, you can expound upon your experience in that area using a two-minute example. Sell and explain your resume in your own words.
· Align what you have done in the past with what you’re striving to do in the future.
· Always behave professionally in and out of the workplace. People overhear conversations and may repeat the overheard information to the employer.
· Prepare ahead for a Zoom interview. Don’t use your phone for the interview. Use your laptop / desktop computer with a professional background. Dress professionally.
Internships are a useful tool that allows an individual to explore career fields and educational paths, as well as to develop an understanding of an organization and strengthen professional networks. Along with reading journals and attending conferences to expand career development, internships are an important source of information about the responsibilities and expectations of a professional field.
Identify Internship Locations
Start with your network — the people with whom you already have a connection. These are people you've met through classes, conferences, events, and volunteering.
When asking for information, be thoughtful about whom you approach and realistic about personal and professional time limits, as well as an organization’s chain of communication or command. Look for individuals who share your professional interests, your personal identity, and who work in your desired career field.
Ask Questions
When asking questions, be specific and to the point. First introduce yourself and share how you are connected to the individual ("I am an alumni of" … or, "We met at" ... or, "I am a friend of" …). Then, ask to schedule a convenient time to share a brief conversation (either provide some times that work for you or be flexible and ready to meet when the person says it is most convenient.)
Begin the conversation by saying "Thank you for your time" and share an overview of who you are (a 30-second pitch about yourself.) Then ask the questions you’ve prepared in advance, which might include:
· What skills do you think are important for an individual to be successful here?
· What does your day or work week look like?
· What do you enjoy most about working here?
· What experiences do you think are the most useful for your job?
There were many highlights during Top Strategies for Internship Success. The opportunity to listen to our speaker panel was inspiring because they shared internship information about their organizations, tips for finding internships, and suggestions about working with a larger purpose in mind — preparing for and getting the job of your choice.
Top Strategies for Internship Success closed with a complimentary gift card drawing for students. All attendees also received a comprehensive, complimentary Internship Resources List compiled by the Advisory Council.
It was the teamwork of many, from planning to implementation, that made this panel a reality and a wonderful learning experience for students. Special thanks to our volunteer team, which included Prashant Arora, Sabine Charles, Louise Derzansky, Pam Judd, Elaine Rogers, Karishma Thakkar, Craig Weitzel, and Kerri-Ann Wright.
Special thanks to Guest Speakers Sabine Charles, James Feeley, and Maryanne Sackarnoski, Moderator Elaine Rogers, CUNY Students, and CUNY LEADS for making this a great event!
Attendees: Charnette Lewis (Treasurer), Patricia Bianchi (CUNY LEADS), Susie Schainost (VP Education) Karishma Thakkar (Development), and Students Anam Ahmed, Sanaa Mock, Daniel Henriquez- Cohen, Yuki Iyamu, Monae Ollivierre, Jacquetta Washington.
Moderator Elaine Rogers led the guest speaker panel through a series of questions about what they look for in an intern and in a resume, as well as tips for a successful internship.
Panelists included:
· Sabine Charles, Chief Internal Auditor at the Touro College & University System; Founder & CEO of Charles Financial Strategies LLC
· James Feeley, Human Resources Specialist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2
· Maryanne Sackarnoski, LEADS Support Specialist, Office of AccessABILITY Services, CUNY Guttman Community College
Panelists shared information about:
· What gets attention when reviewing resumes and applications for internships.
· Tips to make a good impression during the interview process.
· What makes a successful virtual and in-person internship experience.
· Advice to interns.
· Benefits of an unpaid internship.
Throughout the conversation, panelists encouraged students to focus on highlighting their transferable skills — skills that can overlap and be useful in numerous workplace circumstances.
Panelists also encouraged students to:
· Align transferable skills with the job description, showcase communication skills and experiences, especially with customer service and problem-solving situations. Look for ways to distinguish yourself from other applicants through the ways you apply transferable skills.
· Be detail-oriented with your resume and cover letter. Make sure there are no typos. Make the resume appear clean and easy to read.
· Relate your volunteer experience to the job requirements.
· Know the information on your resume so, when asked, you can expound upon your experience in that area using a two-minute example. Sell and explain your resume in your own words.
· Align what you have done in the past with what you’re striving to do in the future.
· Always behave professionally in and out of the workplace. People overhear conversations and may repeat the overheard information to the employer.
· Prepare ahead for a Zoom interview. Don’t use your phone for the interview. Use your laptop / desktop computer with a professional background. Dress professionally.
Internships are a useful tool that allows an individual to explore career fields and educational paths, as well as to develop an understanding of an organization and strengthen professional networks. Along with reading journals and attending conferences to expand career development, internships are an important source of information about the responsibilities and expectations of a professional field.
Identify Internship Locations
Start with your network — the people with whom you already have a connection. These are people you've met through classes, conferences, events, and volunteering.
When asking for information, be thoughtful about whom you approach and realistic about personal and professional time limits, as well as an organization’s chain of communication or command. Look for individuals who share your professional interests, your personal identity, and who work in your desired career field.
Ask Questions
When asking questions, be specific and to the point. First introduce yourself and share how you are connected to the individual ("I am an alumni of" … or, "We met at" ... or, "I am a friend of" …). Then, ask to schedule a convenient time to share a brief conversation (either provide some times that work for you or be flexible and ready to meet when the person says it is most convenient.)
Begin the conversation by saying "Thank you for your time" and share an overview of who you are (a 30-second pitch about yourself.) Then ask the questions you’ve prepared in advance, which might include:
· What skills do you think are important for an individual to be successful here?
· What does your day or work week look like?
· What do you enjoy most about working here?
· What experiences do you think are the most useful for your job?
There were many highlights during Top Strategies for Internship Success. The opportunity to listen to our speaker panel was inspiring because they shared internship information about their organizations, tips for finding internships, and suggestions about working with a larger purpose in mind — preparing for and getting the job of your choice.
Top Strategies for Internship Success closed with a complimentary gift card drawing for students. All attendees also received a comprehensive, complimentary Internship Resources List compiled by the Advisory Council.
It was the teamwork of many, from planning to implementation, that made this panel a reality and a wonderful learning experience for students. Special thanks to our volunteer team, which included Prashant Arora, Sabine Charles, Louise Derzansky, Pam Judd, Elaine Rogers, Karishma Thakkar, Craig Weitzel, and Kerri-Ann Wright.
Special thanks to Guest Speakers Sabine Charles, James Feeley, and Maryanne Sackarnoski, Moderator Elaine Rogers, CUNY Students, and CUNY LEADS for making this a great event!
Attendees: Charnette Lewis (Treasurer), Patricia Bianchi (CUNY LEADS), Susie Schainost (VP Education) Karishma Thakkar (Development), and Students Anam Ahmed, Sanaa Mock, Daniel Henriquez- Cohen, Yuki Iyamu, Monae Ollivierre, Jacquetta Washington.