Intern at the Boy Scouts of America

My internship for the Boy Scouts of America allows me to network with top business professionals in the Kansas City area.  Here I am at a Rotary Club meeting where I met many former Boy Scouts. - Emily Weiss

Accounting Intern at Indigo Wild

As I look back on this past semester as a staff accountant intern at Indigo Wild, an organic soap company, there have been many valuable and irreplaceable experiences that I will be able to take with me in my future endeavors.  My work load has been very diverse, allowing me to experience all facets of the accounting cycle. I have been able to apply the knowledge that I have learned at Rockhurst over these past four years in a real world setting. - Andrew Lohse

 

Intern at DST Systems

I am Paulina Chávez, a current Senior at Rockhurst University working at an internship at DST Systems in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. I will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. I am excited to graduate in order to be able to fully immerse myself in attaining my career goals.
 

I first discovered DST Systems in 2011 while browsing the Career Services student jobs website. I applied and got the job 3 months later as a Mutual Funds Part-Time Processor. As my schedule changed throughout my college career, DST has been willing to work with me to come in at the best time that works for me. I chose to study abroad three times throughout my college career and they were willing and able to grant me a leave of absence for each time.

 

I love having my own space even though I'm only a part-time intern. Along with that, they have provided me with coaching sessions personalized for my own career development with the recruiters from Human Resources. I have had plenty of networking opportunities through the monthly donut or cupcake socials organized by the Engagement Committee. I am currently scheduling meetings with my superiors to see what my options will be at DST after I graduate from college. The meetings I have already had have been very positive and I could definitely see myself staying in a new position within the company for the start of an exciting career!

Reflections and Accomplishments from Spring 2014 Interns

“The Power of Ten Award is given to the College Financial Representatives that write ten insurance policies through the course of the internship. Once a College Financial Representative achieves Power of Ten, they are given even more opportunities to be successful at Northwestern Mutual.” – Andrew Gregory 

                        Only 10% of interns receive the Power of Ten award, out of a pool of 3,000.

 

“This internship has made me develop my networking skills. As a Volunteer Coordinator I am able to meet different people, invite people to volunteer, brainstorm how to get people involved through various networks, and challenge people to relate to our cause. In this picture I am meeting with the Volunteer Committee chair Rose Hernandez. Not only is Rose a chair of my committee, she is also a board member, and a homeowner of a Habitat house of two years. We were discussing how to develop and structure our newly formed committee, and what our goals are going to be over lunch in a nearby local bowling alley.” – Kristine Vainovska

 

 

 

“The best part of my day is clearing the SMF Watch List Screen!” – Lorena Llano

 

Beginning the Job Search

Experienced worker seeking a career transition but now sure how to proceed?  Graduating student taking that first step past university life but unsure what is beyond?  Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you begin your search.

Know who you are! If you do not know who you are or what you are seeking, you surely will not be able to convey that to a prospective employer.  Take time and figure out what you want to do and where you want to do it.  Complete a career interest inventory assessment.  Job shadow someone in your chosen field(s).  The more you know about yourself, the more focused you can be with your search.

Be professional! With everything you think, say and do, always present yourself in a professional manner.  Change the name of your email address and voice message to something that represents you as a professional.  Proofread all correspondence (twice!) before you hit send.  Make sure your resume is perfect, no errors!  Always answer your phone as if this is the call that could change your life.  Dress appropriately.  It is better to be over dressed than under dressed.  Employers want to hire someone who will represent their organization well and hit the ground running.

Practice your interview techniques! If you want to be a better golfer, what do you do?  Practice!  The same is true with interviewing.  Practice your elevator speech, that 45 second intro that provides an overview of who you are and what you are seeking.  Understand yourself, what do you do well and where are you improving.  Provide detailed examples of your successes and challenges.  Emphasize what you can do for them … not what they can do for you. 

Use all resources available to you! Network with family and friends.  Utilize all web based resources, I recommend LinkedIn.  Connect with Career Services.  Join professional organizations, attend networking events.  Do not be afraid to introduce yourself and let people know you are seeking employment.  Keep your network updated on your progress.  The more opportunities your create for yourself, the better chance you will have landing that ideal next step.  Write thank you notes to everyone.  You never know when you might need their assistance again or you can help them out. 

Be confident! Believe in yourself and your abilities.  If you don’t ... who will?

 

by Mike Theobald