Interning at a Medical Research Lab

Undergraduate research sparks curiosity, fulfills intellectual discovery, and provides an outlet for creativity. As an undergraduate researcher at medical research lab in Kansas City, my classroom knowledge is reinforced, and I am given an opportunity to apply that knowledge - Nicole Nuckolls

Interning at a Major Accounting Firm

My name is Christine Tonnies and I am senior at Rockhurst working towards my degree in business administration with a major in accounting. This semester I am doing an internship at a major accounting firm in tax.  I have always felt that tax is what I wanted to focus on with my accounting background. My dad did taxes for years and loved it. Since we are very similar, I assumed I would too. My first day was January 20 and by the 21^st, I was in love with it.
 

Each day I arrive between 8 and 8:30 A.M. The first thing I do is check my email and see if I was assigned any returns to do. If I have been, I work on those, and if not, I pick a return from the prep pool and complete it. While to most people, the idea of sitting at a computer all day and looking at a bunch of numbers and doing tax returns sounds incredibly boring; to me it is so much fun.

 

Learning about taxes in class is one thing, but actually getting to do a real return that is filed and submitted to the IRS is such an amazing thing to be able to do. One of the first returns that I did has already been filed and I get the biggest sense of pride. To me, it is such an incredible feeling to know that I did something for the “real world.”

 If I could give any advice to other students looking for an internship, it would be to not give up and to be persistent. I was dead set on working for a different company and when I didn’t get an internship from them, I was crushed. However, if I had gotten that internship I would not be at the firm I am at now, which is the best thing that could have happened. I cannot imagine working anywhere else.

Introducing Yourself at a Career Fair

When you go to a career fair, job interview or meet with a potential employer impromptu, you will be expected to introduce yourself and be able to talk about your strengths. Commonly referred to as the elevator pitch, this is a 30-60 spiel on who you are, and what your unique skills and abilities are. Imagine you are in an elevator and a hiring manager or top person in the company steps in with you, and you only have the time it takes for this person to get to their destination to make an impression.

This gives you a chance to tell YOUR story. What sets you apart? What unique experiences have you had and what did you learn from them? What are your strongest skills? What made you decide on the major or career path you chose? These are some of the questions you can ask yourself when developing your pitch. It is much easier to have this on hand, ready to go when you need it, rather than waiting until you are in a situation with a potential employer. Whether it be a chance encounter or a networking/career event, your initial introduction gives you a chance to make a memorable impression.

Here is an example of a pitch at a career fair:

Hi, I’m Sarah Smith. I am a junior studying accounting. I have been interested in financial analysis, numbers and strategic planning ever since I took a business course in high school. I have always excelled in mathematics and currently maintain a 3.65 GPA in my major. Does your company offer internships in this field?

For examples, watch this video

Building a Network with LinkedIn

Do you know there are several ways you can use LinkedIn to directly connect with employer contacts in the work place?  Here are a few things to consider. 

When you are on the main page, click on the Advanced button on the top line of the menu bar.  From there you will see a variety of options.  On the left hand column you will see various fields that you can use when searching for connections.  For example, keywords, first name, last name, etc.  What I like to use are company and school.  Type the name of an organization and insert Rockhurst University in the school field.  A list of Rockhurst University alumni and/or former employees who are/have been employed with that organization will show.  What is better than connecting with someone who shares a like experience with you? 

Introduce yourself to your possible connections and start a dialogue, ask them to connect with you.  Remember, this is the first step.  Do not rush or be pushy.  You are wanting to gain insight on the organization to see if this might be a good fit for you.  Ask questions about the company culture, entry-level opportunities, tips on networking with others, etc.  As the conversation progresses, see if they might be interested in helping you connect with human resources.  Each person you connect with respond differently, do not be surprised if you do not hear back from someone.  Do not take it personally … it’s just business.   

Use all of the features on LinkedIn to your advantage and start making your career connections today!

Submitted by Mike Theobald

What Fall 2013 Interns Are Saying

 

Here is an update from some of our interns in the Cooperative Education Program this semester. Students either submitted a photo with caption or a reflective statement about their experience.

 

Here I am targeting prospective clients who are within 5 to 10 years from retiring to send out introductory information explaining who we are and what we do – John Bahlinger

 

 

It is great to see that the extra effort I have put forth in my finance courses has paid off. The new insight I have acquired in the last couple of weeks is that the task assigned does not have to be overly complex or challenging for me to learn from it. The simplest of assignments can be great learning opportunities, as I can always take a closer look. – Rodolfo Guato-Mariotti

 

 Working on my 11am deadline – Loreno Llano 

 

I am sitting at my desk in a downtown loft. In the photo, I am working playoff ticket sales

 –James Malle

 

My internship gives me the ability to use the knowledge I've gained at Rockhurst in a real world setting
 – Margaret O’Connor



Plan for Post-Graduate Success: Seek Internship Opportunities

Internships provide a structured, professional experience that give students the opportunity to learn more about a career interest and gain valuable knowledge in a particular field. In an internship, the purpose is to receive mentorship, supervision, and training. Internships assist students in the career exploration process to determine if that path matches their interests and skills.

Internships:

·         Test your skills and interests

·         Allow you to explore different career paths

·         Develop a network of professional contacts for future opportunities and references

·         Provide valuable professional experience related to your field of study

·         Allow you to apply what you have learned in the classroom

·         Build a strong resume

·         Can lead to future employment 

How Early Should I Begin Planning for an Internship?

Take your first semester in college and get acclimated but after you are settled, consider talking to Career Services about internships and how to develop an internship search strategy. If you are not sure what you want to do, exploring various fields will help you decide which path matches your interests, passions, and goals.

When Are Internships Available?

Internships are available year-round.

How Early Should I Begin Applying?

Application deadlines vary from organization to organization. Some internship positions in large organizations or very competitive programs have deadlines as early as October, November, or December for summer. Others will have deadlines in the weeks leading up to the start date. It all depends on the organization and their hiring process.

How Many Hours Should I Work at an Internship?

Internships can be full or part-time depending on the organization. If you decide to intern during the fall and spring semesters, it is recommended that you work 10 - 15 hours a week maximum.  

Are Internships Paid or Unpaid?

Internships can be paid or unpaid depending on the organization and career field.

 

Cooperative Education

This program allows you to earn academic credit for internship experience. Please contact Shelly Oliver shelly.oliver@rockhurst.edu for eligibility and how to get started.

UMKC Career Expo - Wednesday - October 2

On Wednesday, October 2, UMKC will host their annual Career Expo.  This year’s event will be located in the Swinney Rec Center and run from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm.  This is an opportunity for you to make connections with numerous local, regional and national employers from a variety of career fields.  Dress sharp and bring plenty of resumes.

To prepare for this event, have your elevator speech ready.  The 45 second intro that you use when an employer asks, “Tell me about yourself and what are you seeking?”  Here is a way to organize your thoughts and keep it simple.  Mention what you have done, where you are at now and what you are seeking to start your career.  This will allow you to tell your story, start the conversation and make that positive first impression.

Click on the following link to see a list of employer currently registered to attend the event.  Good luck and start making your career connections.

https://umkc-csm.symplicity.com/events/students.php?mode=list&cf=2013%20Career%20Expo