Victoria Vlisides
Josh Clark
Cara O'Brien
Inside:
Internship Overview (A)
Internship qualities: What businesses want (B)
Student and alumnae stories of internship experience (C)
Internship Etiquette Tips (D)
B. Qualities valued by internship employers
Josh Clark
What to expect: Alumnus experience with an internship
UW-Whitewater Alumna Michelle Sinklair is a congressional staffer and district internship coordinator in the office of Congressman Paul Ryan. Before being employed in Ryan’s Janesville office, Sinklair was an intern there.
“Working here as an intern prepared me not only for another internship in Milwaukee, but it also prepared me for my job as a congressional staffer,” she said.
Working as an intern while going to school can give you the experience to land the job you want once you graduate. Internships can be paid or unpaid, as intensive as up to 20 to 30 hours a week or as low impact as 10 hours a week. It all depends on the company you get an internship with. Similarly the clothes/ hairstyles/facial hair/piercings/ allowed at different businesses vary. At some internships, jeans and a T-shirt might be fine, but many businesses may demand certain dress codes be followed by interns. For example, an internship in the office of Congressman Paul Ryan requires a tie and dress shoes for men or a skirt, pants and blouse for women every day while jeans, t-shirts or tennis shoes are too casual.
Nonprofit organization internships
Businesses are not the only places to find great internships; non-profit organizations like The American Diabetes Association and The American Lung Association are good places to look. Because these organizations are non-profit, students will probably not find one that is paid, but the American Diabetes Association does offer a $250 stipend at the end of the internship. Sometimes these organizations offer students more flexibility concerning student schedules.
“We are easy,” Neil Deupree of Diversity Action Team said, referring to their willingness to accommodate student schedules.
Diversity Action Team is a nonprofit organization out of Rock County that works to educate the community about diversity issues. Even though you may not be getting paid, an internship with an organization that serves the community can be very fulfilling and looks great on your resume.
Qualities all companies and organizations look for in potential interns
Speaking to several different businesses offering internships, a few key terms pop up again and again in response to the qualities an intern should posses: outgoing, eager to learn, energetic and enthusiastic. Most businesses don’t expect interns to know everything coming in, but interns should be ready and willing to learn. Some businesses ask that internship applicants be knowledgeable in some specific areas and know how to use certain software. These qualities can give you an advantage over another applicant. It is important to be willing to ask questions and to know about the business or organization you are involved with. As an intern you will be expected to do your best concerning whatever project is thrown at you.
