Student
Internship Manual
UCO Coordinator of Internships
Last Revised February 2013
Student Internship Manual
Table of Contents
Internships: An Introduction.......................................................................................... 3
HireBronchos ............................................................................................................... 4
Finding an Internship .................................................................................................... 5
How Do I Find an Internship? ............................................................................ 5
Networking......................................................................................................... 5
Seeking Out a Student Organization ................................................................. 6
Suggested Timeline for Internship Searches .....................................................
6
Industry Specific Websites and Magazines/Newsletters .................................... 7
Special Population Resources ........................................................................... 7
Social Media and Online .................................................................................... 7
Internships for Earning Academic Credit ...................................................................... 9
Credit Hours ..................................................................................................... 9
Faculty Supervisors by Academic Colleges and Departments .......................... 10
Internships as an International Student ........................................................................ 11
Visa Status and Employment............................................................................. 11
Resources ......................................................................................................... 11
Getting the Most out of Your Education and Internships .............................................. 12
Resumes & Vitaes ............................................................................................. 12
Cover Letters ..................................................................................................... 12
References ........................................................................................................ 13
Fine Arts Students ............................................................................................. 13
Request for Job Shadowing or Observation ...................................................... 13
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Student Internship Manual
Career Development for the Internship Experience ..................................................... 14
Mock Interviews................................................................................................ 14
Business Etiquette............................................................................................ 14
Networking ....................................................................................................... 15
Soft Skills ......................................................................................................... 15
How to Get the Most Out of My Internship .................................................................. 16
Preparation Prior to Beginning Your Internship ................................................ 16
During the Internship Experience ..................................................................... 16
Follow Up and Reflection of Experience ........................................................... 16
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Student Internship Manual
Internships: An Introduction
What is an internship?
An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory
learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a
professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied
experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career
paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent.
Other terms commonly used:
Experiential Education
Co-op
Field Experience
Why should I pursue an internship?
In today’s workforce, education is only as valuable as the experience you can
supplement classroom knowledge with. Research has shown that college graduates
with internship experiences start at a higher salary than those without these
experiences. In addition to valuable work experience, it’s an opportunity to network in
the industry you plan to enter full-time upon graduation. The value of professional
relationships is priceless!
More reasons to complete internships throughout your educational path:
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Allows you to experience the work environment of your potential occupation.
Helps you make specific decisions and plans regarding your future career.
Provides you with real-life, hands-on work experience in your field that looks
great on your résumé!
Gives you the opportunity for you to try something new without the long-term
commitment.
Helps you reaffirm you are pursuing the best academic major for you.
Introduces you to professionals in your field who can serve as mentors,
networking sources and references.
May lead to job offers without you ever having to apply. Many companies look to
their interns to fill full-time job vacancies and use the internship experience as a
screening process for future employees.
When should I start an internship?
It’s never too early to start gaining experience – the most important thing is to do an
internship! It’s best to acquire as many experiences as you can during college. It’s
recommended that you begin searching for internship opportunities by sophomore year,
however, it’s not too late to gain internship experience junior or senior year!
Internships can be full-time work during the summer or part-time work during the school
year. They may occur locally, out of state or abroad.
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Internships completed for academic credit may not be available until you’ve completed a
set number of hours within your major. For example, in UCO’s Mass Communication
department, students must have 90 credit hours completed prior to participating in an
internship. This ensures you are prepared and have the necessary skills to participate in
as many aspects of the job as possible. Be sure to visit with faculty to find out if
internship credit is possible for your major.
HireBronchos
HireBronchos is a FREE database for UCO students and alums to search for
internships, part-time jobs and full-time employment. Registration is a two-part process.
To register:
1. Create your online profile at www.HireBronchos.com
2. Visit the Career Services office (NUC 338) to complete your registration form
3. Upload your most current resume; it will be critiqued by a Career Counselor
within 2 business days. Your resume must be approved BEFORE your
HireBronchos account is fully activated and your resume is accessible to
employers or for submission to job postings.
HireBronchos also provides you with access to Internships.com, CareerRookie.com,
CareerBuilder.com, and JuJuJobs.com.
What kind of internship should I do?
First, it is important to have an idea about the type of field in which you want to
participate your internship. By considering your skills, interests, major and career goals,
you will be able to narrow your focus. Career Services provides assessments to help
you determine your abilities and interests in relation to your career goals.
For all assessments, please visit UCO Career Services to register, obtain the UCO
access code and pick up the instruction materials.
Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
This is an online personality-based assessment that provides a list of careers
suggested for each personality type. An interpretation appointment with a Career
Counselor and a small registration fee are required with this assessment.
Newly Revised Strong Interest Inventory
This assessment focuses on your specific interests and how they can guide your
career path. An interpretation appointment with a Career Counselor and a small
registration fee are required with this assessment.
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Finding an Internship
How do I find an internship?
Once you know what field you want and need experience in, make sure you have a
current résumé uploaded, critiqued and approved in HireBronchos.com before
beginning your search. Career Counselors are available to assist you with additional
questions or to critique your existing résumé. To meet one-on-one with a counselor,
simply sign up with Career Services during walk-in appointments. Call to find out dates
of walk-in appointments or to schedule an appointment at 405-974-3346.
Now you are ready to search! There are many ways to locate an internship opportunity;
do not rely on just one approach. Remember these points:
Search within HireBronchos. You may create a Job Agent which saves searches and
you will receive emails when new/updated jobs are posted that match your criteria.
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Utilize social networks for internship searches and networking. Keep your
Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter profiles professional. Follow companies,
professional organizations and blogs related to your career interests.
Join a professional organization either on or off campus. Ideally, do both! Most
professional organizations have student rates to make it more affordable to be
involved.
Talk to your faculty. Often faculty members are still involved in the industry and
connected to alumni. Let them know you’re searching and ask them to keep you
in mind.
Stay involved with Career Services. Attend Career Chats seminars with
professional speakers you’d like to meet. Volunteer for events in which
companies you’re interested in are attending, and ask us if we have a contact at
specific organizations—we may be able to connect you!
Networking
Networking is the simplest way to find an internship. By telling people you know (e.g.,
faculty members, classmates, former or current employers and colleagues, relatives,
friends, etc.) you are searching for an internship, you have expanded your possibilities
greatly. It’s okay if the people you know are not CEOs of major corporations or if you
don’t know some of your contacts that well. It’s still important to make connections!
Consider joining a professional organization. Many professional organizations will have
local chapters and most are open to college students joining for free or at a reduced
cost. Not only will you make contacts and expand your network, but you might also find
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Student Internship Manual
someone to serve as a mentor. Often, professional associations will also list job
opportunities on their websites.
www.edmondchamber.com = Edmond Young Professionals
www.aepokc.com = Alliance of Emerging Professionals
www.greatergrads.com = OKC Chamber of Commerce Greater Grads Program
www.prsaokc.com = Public Relations
www.ocapl.org = OKC Association of Professional Landmen
Seek out a Student Organization to make contacts. Visit www.uco.edu/studentlife/orgs for a complete list of current organizations on campus.
These organizations will routinely bring in speakers from related industries. Since there
is usually a range of experienced professionals and students in the group membership,
it’s a great opportunity to find out what other people have done and to get contacts from
them.
Talk to professors in your major or area of interest. They’ll often have their own
professional contacts in the industry or they may know of former students who have
interned. Once a company has hired one UCO student, they are generally more open to
hiring another in the future.
Suggested Timeline for Internship Searches
August—October
Apply for Summer internships. Many summer internships are posted and filled
during the fall semester prior to the summer of the internship. Stay updated
through HireBronchos, company websites and social media.
Visit Career Services for Mock Interviews, resume critiques and career guidance
prior to the large Career and Internship Fair in February!
October—December
Search and apply for Spring and Summer internship opportunities.
November—January
Visit Career Services for Mock Interviews, resume critiques and career guidance
prior to the UCO Career and Internship Fair in February!
February—April
Search and apply for Summer internship opportunities. Search and apply for Fall
internship opportunities.
April—May
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Student Internship Manual
Search and apply for Fall internship opportunities.
Throughout the year, Career Services welcomes several employers on campus for On
Campus Recruitment. This is an opportunity to apply for internships through
HireBronchos and interview on campus in the office of Career Services.
Any internships sought for academic credit must be acquired and approved through
your faculty supervisor prior to beginning the internship! You cannot begin an internship
and then ask for credit retroactively. If you’re unsure of who to speak with in your major
for approval, contact the Coordinator of Internships in Career Services.
Industry Specific Websites and Magazines/Newsletters
Because of the information available online, many employers expect students to keep
up with the industry in which they’re entering. For example, education majors should
check the Oklahoma Department of Education site as well as the US Department of
Education. This is valuable in finding internships and volunteer opportunities as well as
keeping up to date on current events, trends and issues affecting professionals.
Special Population Resources
While large, well-known resources are helpful, they’re also utilized by hundreds of
thousands of people all looking for similar experiences. It’s helpful to narrow down your
search to special populations and to assist you in knowing your job market. Some
examples include:
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National Association of Special Education Teachers: www.naset.org
Veteran’s internships: www.dodvets.com/intern.asp
LGBTQIAA: www.outforwork.org
Social Media and Online
It’s important to know what kind of online reputation you have. Google yourself to see
what appears in the search results! If it’s negative, take steps to have it
removed/corrected. At the very least, be prepared to address it in an interview. For
example, some people who share common names may give a bad impression and you
want to be prepared to combat the issue by having it removed or being more active with
your own information so you appear near the top of the results.
Facebook
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Student Internship Manual
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“Like” the pages of companies you respect, even if they aren’t hiring. This
helps you stay connected to the industry you are entering.
Be aware of the pictures you have online. Even with high security, your
profile picture is visible to others. Many employers will try to find potential
interns and employees on Facebook prior to interviewing. Make yours
easy to find and have nothing to be embarrassed about!
Twitter
• Retweet posts you’re interested in or agree with. Doing this consistently
will keep you on the company’s radar.
• Don’t tweet while you’re at work or in class—this reflects poorly on you
and sends the message you aren’t respectful of authority.
LinkedIn
• LinkedIn provides the opportunity to network electronically. Users can
build connections, join professional groups and search for jobs, people
and business leads. This is essentially an online resume others can view
and share.
• Many faculty members and university professionals are on LinkedIn and
will help you get started by connecting to you. Ask them for assistance
and a recommendation!
Blogs
• Follow blogs by professionals in your areas of interest.
• If you write well, create a blog about your internship experiences! Doing
this in a professional, entertaining way will keep you in the spotlight. Share
your blog address with your work supervisor and ask them to be a guest
blogger.
Some tips that apply to all social media:
• Spell things correctly. Always. Your attention to detail will consistently
stand out.
• Don’t voice anger or frustration with any individuals or organizations
online. This reflects on your temperament and maturity. Exhibit positive
complaint behavior at all times, especially online where it will always
remain.
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Student Internship Manual
Internships for Earning Academic Credit
For many majors, internships can be completed for academic credit. If an internship is
required, often faculty will assist in placing students at specific sites. It’s important for
students to assist in this process, to prepare for other job searches!
To receive academic credit, students must have approval from the appropriate faculty
supervisor prior to beginning work. Provide your faculty supervisor with a job description
and employer contact information.
Credit Hours
For most majors, you must complete 60 physical hours for each credit hour earned.
Check with your internship supervisor to receive the proper forms and get permission to
seek academic credit for the internship you find.
To earn credit hours, you must enroll in an internship course. Discuss whether
academic credit may be received with your faculty contact and advisor.
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Student Internship Manual
Faculty Supervisors by Academic Colleges and Departments
Business
Faculty Contact
Phone
Email
College of Business
PGA Golf Management
Dr. Saba Bahouth
Mr. Wes Wilkinson
974-2819
974-2425
[email protected]
Education and Professional Studies
Faculty Contact
Phone
Email
Community/Public Health
Elementary Education
Early Childhood Education
Guidance and Counseling
Family Life Education
Fashion Marketing
Allied Health Education
Business/Info. Tech Education/Marketing Ed.
Family and Consumer Sciences
Trade and Industrial Education
Industrial Safety
Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Management
Kinesiology--Exercise Fitness Management
Kinesiology--Outdoor & Community Recreation
Psychology
Special Education
Speech-Language Pathology
Dr. Diane Rudebock
Dr. Paulette Shreck
Dr. Paulette Shreck
Ms. Laressa Beliele, LPC
Dr. Glee Bertram
Dr. Susan Miller
Dr. Karen Barnes
Dr. Frank Nelson
Dr. Candy Sebert
Dr. Len Bogner
Dr. Robin Lacy
Ms. Tiffany Shurtz
Dr. Darla Fent
Dr. Jerel Cowan
Dr. Mary Sweet-Darter
Dr. Barbara Green
Mrs. Rebecca Reynolds
974-5216
974-5721
974-5722
974-5290
974-5361
974-5807
974-5334
974-5804
974-5780
974-5801
974-5860
974-5369
974-3599
974-5235
974-5478
974-5283
974-5403
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Fine Arts and Design
Faculty Contact
Phone
Email
Graphic Design
Ms. Amanda Horton
974-5212
[email protected]
Forensic Science Institute
Faculty Contact
Phone
Email
Forensic Science
Dr. Dwight Adams
974-6915
[email protected]
Liberal Arts
Faculty Contact
Phone
Email
English
English
Criminal Justice
History and Geography
Mass Communication
Modern Languages
Political Science
Sociology
Gerontology
Substance Abuse Studies
Dr. Laura Dumin
Dr. Matthew Hollrah
Dr. Shawna Cleary
Dr. Mark Janzen
Dr. Jill Lambeth
Dr. Rudi Nollert
Dr. Kenneth Kickham
Ms. Kathryn Williams
Dr. Douglas P. Reed
Mr. Art Christie
974-5635
974-5614
974-5841
974-5416
974-5926
974.5845
974-5530
974-5546
974-5803
974-5547
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Mathematics & Science
Faculty Contact
Phone
Email
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Engineering and Physics
Funeral Services
Funeral Services
Mathematics and Statistics
Nursing
Dr. Mel Vaughan
Dr. Luis Montes
Ms. Dawn Holt
Dr. Baha Jassemnejad
Ms. Jackie Garman
Dr. John Fritch
Dr. Jesse Byrne
Dr. Linda Rider
974-5725
974-5320
974-5382
974-5461
974-5001
974-5195
974-5294
974-5000
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[Current as of Feb.2013; if you find this information to be in correct, please notify Career Services
at [email protected] so we may quickly make the necessary changes.]
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Student Internship Manual
International Students and Internships
International students may also participate in internships and other experiential
education. As with all students, finding an internship is primarily your responsibility.
There are several guidelines you must follow. For each of the following categories you
must first contact the Office of International Services.
Visa Status and Employment
Off-campus employment: Requires authorization from Immigration. After you have
been in the United States for nine months on an F-1 visa and are in good standing you
can apply for work authorization through the Office of International Services.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) – As an F-1 student, you are eligible to apply for
employment authorization that will allow you to work for up to one year in a job that is
directly related to your program of study. For some majors there’s the possibility of
extending that period of employment an additional 17 months. This employment takes
place after completing your program of study. This employment is called Postcompletion OPT.
In some circumstances you may choose to use OPT prior to the completion of your
studies which is called Pre-completion OPT. However, Pre-completion OPT subtracts
from the time available after graduation for Post-completion OPT.
You are strongly encouraged to attend OPT information sessions held each semester
by the Office of International Services.
Curricular Practical Training - (CPT) is employment which is an integral part of an
established curriculum. CPT is most commonly used for internships, practicum or
externships. You must be enrolled in an internship or practicum course and must
provide a letter from the employer where the internship or practicum will take
place. Details must include the organization name, job title, hours per week, duties,
beginning and ending dates and physical location. The academic department must
provide written approval of your internship with the stated employer. Finally, you submit
all documents to the Office of International Services for authorization.
Resources
www.HireBronchos.com
www.careers.uco.edu
www.internationalstudent.com/jobsearch/
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Getting the Most out of Your Education and Internships
As with nearly all things related to your education and career development, you’ll benefit
greatly by the effort you put into your work! Career Services exists to help students
through each step of planning, seeking and obtaining the career of your dreams, but
you must commit the time and effort.
Resumes & Vitae
It’s vital to understand the difference between a Resume and a Curriculum Vita [CV].
The easiest way to remember this is to think of the resume as a 1-2 page document
highlighting education and skills specific to the job or internship you are seeking. A CV
is a lengthier, detailed comprehensive document listing all education, research,
publications, work experience and skills. The type of career you’re seeking will dictate
which of these documents is necessary when applying for internships, full-time positions
and scholarships.
Unless employers specifically request a CV, a Resume and Cover Letter [See Cover
Letters] are sufficient for application.
Begin your Curriculum Vita and resume now so you have the information readily
available to you!
Cover Letters
It’s important to understand the significance of a Cover Letter when conducting your job
and/or internship search. Your Cover Letter communicates to employers why you are
the best person for the position. It also can set you apart from other applicants who
don’t take the time to complete a Cover Letter.
Cover Letters should be 3-4 paragraphs. This is where you describe your qualifications
using a narrative rather than bullet points. It highlights writing abilities and provides the
applicant an opportunity to personalize the letter for the position. A vague Cover Letter
addressed to “To Whom It May Concern” is not helpful or professional enough. Take
time to research the company or organization and explain why you want to work there,
what qualifications you have and what you can bring to the company.
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References
It’s a common misconception that simply stating “References available upon request” at
the bottom of your resume is appropriate. This is no longer acceptable. Assume the
employer will be so impressed by your Cover Letter and Resume that they’ll want to
interview you and check references!
References should be listed on their own page, with the same header used on your
resume. List references’ names, titles, organizations, emails and phone numbers.
Contact your references before sending out your resume and let them know what you’re
applying for! This gives them a heads up about potential employers calling and, in the
event different contact information is required/needed, they can provide it to you. Give
them the chance to be the best reference possible by informing them of your goals.
Fine Arts Students
In addition to a technical resume and/or performance resume, it’s vital that you have a
strong, professional Portfolio readily available to show to potential employers. Your
faculty may assist you in this process, and we are happy to help connect you to the right
person in your area of study.
If you are a performance major, a professional head shot photograph is necessary.
Request for Job Shadowing or Observation
Job Shadowing or Observations can be used to supplement your internship
experiences. Sometimes this type of experiential learning will assist you in determining
which specific area of an industry you may want to further pursue.
To schedule a job shadow, choose an occupation of interest to you as a future career.
Identify an individual or group in that career field willing to allow you to shadow or
observe them during a typical work day. It may be helpful for you to send a Cover Letter
explaining why you would like to shadow them.
It is your responsibility to find your observation site. The following resources may assist
you in identifying and contacting your site:
Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory
Greater OKC Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory
Other Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories
HireBronchos.com (register through Career Services)
Career Services – Career Resources website
Reference USA Database
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Faculty
Social Networking Sites – Primarily Linked In
Yellow Pages
Friends/Family
General Job Search
Don’t forget to include your job shadow and/or observation on your resume!
Career Development for the Internship Experience
Once your resume is ready and it’s time to start applying, you are well on your way to
beginning your internship experience! Set yourself apart from other applicants by
highlighting your skills and abilities in the most professional ways.
Mock Interviews
Career Services offers Mock Interviews each semester so students may practice their
interview skills. We utilize Human Resources and Career Services professionals to offer
real-world experience by requiring professional dress and having candidates answer
interview questions. By taking students through each aspect of interviewing and offering
a critique, we give you the opportunity to learn what you did best, what can be improved
and how to best represent yourself and your abilities.
Each Mock Interview takes approximately 30 minutes, and requires a follow-up critique
with a Career Counselor the same week. We now have the capability of recording your
Mock Interview. Please bring a flash drive to store the interview on, and notify our front
desk of your wish to be recorded at the time you set the appointment.
Business Etiquette
Business etiquette is made up of significantly more important things than just knowing
which fork to use at lunch with a supervisor or coworker. Etiquette is about presenting
yourself with the kind of polish that shows you can be taken seriously. Etiquette is also
about being comfortable around people and making them comfortable around you. We
offer Career Chats over Business Etiquette each semester.
Knowing the company or organization you are working for is key in following proper
etiquette.
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Networking
Meeting future employers and colleagues is vital while in college. Take any opportunity
possible to attend Career and Internship Fairs, Career Chats, Information Sessions, and
Mock Interviews. This shows employers your level of interest, and it’s noted!
For those students with little extra time, remember networking can happen on occasion
and still be highly beneficial. Keep up with professionals in the industry you’re headed
toward on LinkedIn and Twitter, meeting in person for special events or individual time.
Soft Skills
One of the biggest frustrations many employers have about interns and recent college
graduates is the lack of focus on Soft Skills. These include anything not technical or
skill-related to the job, such as:
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Strong Work Ethic
Positive Attitude
Effective Communication
Time Management
Conflict Resolution
Problem Solving Skills
Teamwork and Collaboration
Ability to Accept and Learn From Criticism
Flexibility/Adaptability
Working Well Under Pressure
Career Services offers workshops throughout each semester addressing many of these
issues, and we often collaborate with other departments on campus! If you feel you
have an opportunity to improve in one or more of these areas but aren’t sure how to
begin, please set an appointment to see our Career Counselors.
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How to Get the Most Out of My Internship
Preparation Prior to Beginning Your Internship
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Think critically about how much time you’ll need for course work, campus and
community involvement, work, and your internship. You may need to cut back on
one activity to make more room in your schedule for your internship. Plan
accordingly.
Research the organization or company. Although you did this before applying,
spend more time following press releases, news stories, and events. Stay
updated so you can step in and be more prepared to start work as soon as you
begin.
During the Internship Experience
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Learn as much as you can about the organization while you are there—this is a
chance to really understand the atmosphere, the mission as it is implemented on
a regular basis, and how colleagues support and interact with one another.
Meet with your supervisor in the beginning and establish goals so you both know
what is expected.
Ask for more responsibility when you feel comfortable with your knowledge of
your job. Show initiative by looking for things to do and pitching in. Even “little
things” matter a great deal.
Understand that some general office work may be part of the job. However, you
should also be gaining valuable experience in your field of interest. If this is not
the case, consider meeting with your supervisor and revisiting your established
goals.
Network! Continue to build contacts and relationships. The connections you
make today may lead to opportunities in the future.
Remember, you are not only representing yourself, you are also representing
UCO. You are in a unique position to pave the way for students who will come
after you. If you’re hired full-time in a workplace and you completed an internship
you loved, wouldn’t you love to hire a fellow Broncho?
Follow up and Reflection of Experience
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If your supervisor doesn’t provide an evaluation of your work performance, ask
for one! Feedback will only serve to help you grow as a professional.
Write down your thoughts. Sometimes an internship shows you what you would
rather not do—that can be as valuable as confirming what you DO want! All
internships are valuable experiences.
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If completing the internship for academic credit, meet with your faculty supervisor
to discuss what you learned and how it can apply to your career path.
Present to interested groups—both on campus and off—about your experience.
This gives you a chance to think objectively about what you want to communicate
regarding your time as intern. You’ll be in the position of educating others on your
own experience while helping them learn more about the workforce!
In addition to gaining great experience to complete your classroom learning, internships
allow you to supplement your portfolio or resume with real-world experience. Through
your internships, you’ll make valuable industry contacts that can be essential to landing
the ideal job upon graduation!
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