How did you prepare for your internship search? What were some of the steps, i.e. fine tuning your resume, interview prep, etc.

I knew I wanted to do an internship the summer before my senior year, so I made sure I got an early start and started searching in December 2008. I used UNH’s online internship/job listings and applied to those in my area, but also used Google to do a general search for companies offering internships in my area.

To prepare for my interview, I Google searched for a list of general questions recruiters ask in interviews and good ways to answer those questions. I did several drafts of my resume and had several different people (peers and professors) read and critique it before creating the final.

What three things would you tell your peers they need to do so they find and secure a great internship?

1. Start searching and applying in the fall/winter for a summer internship
2. Search every day for new job/internship postings
3.Follow up with companies that have interviewed you with things like additional questions or just a general follow up

Talk about the benefits of networking, timely follow-ups, and being proactive in your search.

Starting your search as early as you can is the biggest proactive moves during an internship search. This will ensure that you complete a thorough search. Following up with companies that you have applied to with additional questions or a general follow up is a necessity because it keeps you in the minds of the employer.

What did you learn from your internship search that you will apply in future job searches?

Being proactive in a job search is essential, and also checking everyday for new postings to make sure every opportunity is taken to apply for jobs that are out there.

What is the most valuable part of your internship experience so far? What skills are you learning that you can apply to other internships and jobs?

The most valuable part is having a "real world" experience and applying what I have learned in my classes to real life situations before getting my degree. I've learned a great deal about customer service, multi-tasking and teamwork skills!