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CAREER GUIDE 2016–2017
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
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Participating in an internship or cooperative education
assignment can be a good way for both you and the employer
to see if there will be a good fit between you and the company.
Internships and co-ops allow you to gain real-world experience,
find out if you will enjoy certain types of work and build your
résumé.
Keep a positive attitude about your work and complete tasks
given to you with enthusiasm. Having a good outlook and sense
of humor can be an asset to you and the company. Learn to take
criticism well and listen to suggestions for improvement.
Take your work seriously. Complete all assigned tasks, no matter
how insignificant they may seem. Dependability and accuracy
are very important in any work environment. If you have any
questions about how to complete a project, ask your supervisor
for clarification. Making mistakes is part of the learning
experience but do not dwell on your mistakes; learn from them
and go on. If you earn a reputation for being dependable, honest
and trustworthy, you will be given more important tasks to
complete and therefore learn more about your chosen career field.
Be punctual and complete assignments on time. Deadlines are
a part of life, especially in a fast-paced work environment, so
make sure you know what your deadlines are for all projects
and complete them on time. This will help you to learn time
management and prioritizing skills.
Set goals you know you can meet. Setting goals for yourself
can be a good way to keep yourself on task and ensure that you
will learn as much as you can during your co-op or internship.
Remember to set attainable goals. If you set goals you are not
able to reach, you will set yourself up for disappointment. This
may send a negative message to the employer as well. Your
experience should be a positive learning experience, so outline
your goals from the beginning and talk with your supervisor about
these goals to make sure they are reachable. Meet with your
supervisor regularly to make sure you are on the right track.
Learn to communicate effectively. Written and oral
communication skills are extremely important in all career
fields. Be respectful of those around you by being courteous and
professional at all times. Listen to everyone around you because
they probably have more knowledge in that subject area, but
do not be afraid to present your ideas when in an appropriate
setting.
Flexibility is important. You should be willing to do a variety of
tasks even if those tasks do not relate directly to your career
path. Multi-tasking is an important skill to learn that will help
you develop flexibility. Be ready, willing and able to “switch
gears” on a moment’s notice.
Teamwork is a skill valued by many employers. You must be able
to work well with people around you and be able to be productive
in groups. Project work is an important part of many work
environments, so you need to learn how to be the most productive
team member you can be.
Find a mentor, someone who you can turn to for advice,
information, encouragement and constructive criticism. A mentor
can help you through difficult situations and also offer insight
into the company. A mentor can also teach you a lot about the
industry.
Enjoy yourself. Have fun with your internship or co-op. Try to think
of everything as a learning experience.
TURNING AN INTERNSHIP OR CO-OP INTO A FULL-TIME POSITION
Things to Do:
1.
Go above and beyond the call of duty to show your employer
that you are valuable. Ask for advice from supervisors and
coworkers. Work with your adviser to set immediate goals for
the internship, then ask for a written evaluation at the end.
2. Be active and involved! Educate yourself proactively in the
ways of your company. Also, get involved in non-work related
activities like athletic events and company outings. Interact
with as many coworkers as possible to help you stand out from
the rest and increase networking contacts.
3. If your employer thinks you have done a good job achieving
your goals, then ask about a full-time position.
4. Take the time to say goodbye and thank you on your last day.
5. After completing your co-op or internship, send your
immediate supervisor and the president of the company
well-written thank you letter. Thank them for the opportunity
and point out what you have accomplished and learned.
Indicate in your letter that you would like to work for the
company and how you can be of value.
6. Be patient and persistent. Follow your thank you letter with a
phone call to your supervisor to inquire about employment.