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bkbaum@umich.edu
Internships: Thinking outside the ad
By Aaron Singer (Class of '04)
What are you
willing to risk by remaining standard, by not employing creative ways to
accomplish your goals? The fruitful experiences people seek often require
some level of innovation on the part of the seeker. The internship search
is no different. With only 20% of all open positions advertised, students are wise to useunconventional means, besides advertisements, in their internship searches. This isn't to say that you can't find an internship by using traditional search methods-the Career Center offers an extensive list of internships and Google searches will return several hits-and sometimes these advertised internships will be a great fit. However, the number of quality, potential internships you may find are increased by 400% when you apply unconventional methods in your search.
Last summer when I began my internship search I only knew that I wanted to work in a law firm. However, due to plans to attend the London School of Economics and run an auto detailing business, I needed a flexible internship. My father suggested I contact Howard Gourwitz, a lawyer and sports agent he knows. Howard met me for lunch to discuss his job and schooling. When I inquired about an internship at his small firm, the chances looked grim. I returned to Ann Arbor, wrote a thank you letter, and sent him my resume and cover letter. Once Howard had the opportunity to consider our meeting, my resume and cover letter, and his relationship with my father, he found a way to incorporate me into his office.
I was able to obtain my internship by emplyoing organizational principles and tools from a number of OS courses (Psy 360, Psy 464, and Orgstudy 495) and Psychology 211 (Project Outreach on Career Planning).
One resource I used was my interpersonal network. An interpersonal network is your family, friends, and acquaintances (even weaker relationships). People like to help people they know, and your network can provide you with an inside track within specific organizations and give you information about positions that aren't advertised. Many people believe only "influential" people can be helpful, but any help can go a long way; your network relationships have networks of their own and while an acquaintance may not be able to hire you, she may know someone to connect you with.
When using your network, don't limit yourself to your strong relationships. The number potential opportunities grows dramatically when you use weaker network ties. Limiting yourself to strong relationships creates a closed, redundant system because you have more in common with those you have strong relationships with. By appealing to your weaker network ties you create a broader scope and application of the network.
Another innovative use of a resource that helped me find my internship was the proper use of a strong cover letter and resume. A resume and cover letter don't get you hired; they are used to inquire about openings and to obtain an interview. When reviewing resumes, organizations don't decide whether to hire you, but whether to interview you. Therefore, be sure your resume and cover letter distinguish you from the rest. This becomes especially important when applying to organizations that don't necessarily have interns.
When sending your resume for this purpose there are a few key things to remember. First, search for organizations in fields you're interested in. In your cover letter be sure to offer many ways for them to contact you. Consider stating that you will follow up with additional questions about the organization.
Once you send the letter a few things can happen. Although unlikely, you might never get a response. It's also possible you will be told nothing is available but that your resume will be forwarded to another department (use of network). Or an internship may exist and the organization wants to interview you. Finally, although unlikely, an organization may not have internships but be interested in creating one. Whichever response you receive, taking advantage of a strong cover letter and resume can be quite valuable.
Innovation itself can offer a beneficial experience. Think creatively about what you want in an internship; explore things that few others think of. Although many people are concerned about loading their resumes with prestigious and "name dropping" experiences, sometimes creative life experiences can be just as valuable. At present, I am hoping to secure an internship in Italy. Doing things like this that excite you will provide great learning, different perspectives on the world, and opportunities to meet new people from different places. The benefits of these unique experiences are often overlooked. Internships are commonplace among those applying to jobs or graduate school. But employers and educational recruiters search for individuals who offer something more than the usual background. By finding an internship different than what most people do, whether in an organization in a foreign country or as a camp counselor, an intern has much to gain.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that you are innovative in your search process to build a great experience that will be exciting and valuable to your future. Search for, make, and create something amazing. It takes more elbow grease to get it going, but the benefits are almost incomprehensible.
Copyright 2002, The Regents of the University of Michigan