In this day and age, a college degree is simply not going to cut it when it comes to applying for jobs. After numerous encounters with the UC Davis Internship and Career Center and Textiles and Clothing Department faculty members, the number one career advice they could give students was to participate in internships.
An internship is typically an unpaid position (some interns get a stipend or products from the company) in which a student undergoes training and performs small tasks in a specific line of work they are interested in.
Last summer, Ely worked at designer Carrie B's boutique in Baltimore, MD as a Design, Visual Merchandising, and Marketing Intern while Ashley worked at designer Mette Vangso’s office/studio in San Francisco as a Public Relations Intern.
Below are some tips that helped us land our past internships.
>> Look in both unexpected and expected places
Craigslist, Monster, and Yahoo! HotJobs are always good sites to jump start your search in general. Not seeing anything you like? Try the Textiles and Clothing Internship blog next. You can also ask friends or family members about opportunities at their offices or create your own internship—don’t be afraid to ask your favorite stores or companies whether they would be interested in having you assist them over the summer or after school.
Don’t limit yourself to a specific location either. In the long run, your work experience will be worth much more than the gas money you spent getting it. Moreover, many internships now offer travel stipends –even if the internship itself is unpaid.
>> Be flexible
If you’re having a hard time finding the perfect internship, chances are you’re being too limiting in your search. You may think you know exactly what you want to do 10 years from now, but personal interests can change swiftly and having experience in multiple sectors of your field will prove to be beneficial.
>> Stalk the company and job you want to apply for
Employers will not hire someone who is unaware of the company’s mission statement and other basic background knowledge. Keep up with their company Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace accounts and read up on whatever available information there is.
Also, carefully read the internship description to ensure it fits with your expectations and don’t be shy to ask for any clarifications if needed.
>> Proofread your resume and other related documents...and then do it all over again
Having numerous typos in your resume or cover letter will show that you are unprepared and not professional enough for ANY company. Be sure to triple check your resume and have someone else critique it as well.
Ashley’s previous employer, Mette Vangso, concurs, “Experience is not on top of our list, but we do make sure that the intern can write and spell by asking for a brief write-up describing why he or she chose us for an internship. That filters out quite a few candidates actually.”
>> Be honest and be yourself
As cliché as it sounds, this is the only way to succeed. If you lie or cheat your way into a position, the truth will come out some how—whether your conscience hits you or an employer finds out you don’t have the background required to succeed in this line of work.
If asked the ever-dreaded question, “What is your greatest weakness?” it may be very tempting to hastily reply, “I have none” or to slyly respond, “My greatest weakness is that I’m a perfectionist.” Yes, these answers may seem like they exert your self-confidence, but rest assured – any future employer will see right through it. Instead, be sincere about your shortcomings and let the interviewer know that you acknowledge its presence, have been, and will continue to work on improving it. You are only human after all.
Still a tad too candid for you? Another great way to reply is to name a weakness that isn’t exactly an essential skill required for the internship position. You definitely don’t want to answer, “My greatest weakness is that I’m not as creative as I’d like,” when applying for something like a design internship.
>> Bring a copy of your resume to your interview
This will show that you are prepared and interested in the position. Business cards are great to have, but if you don't have one to leave with your interviewer, a copy of your resume with your contact information included should be more than sufficient.
For a phone interview, be sure to keep your resume on hand to help you along the way in case you get stuck. But remember, try not to read directly off of it –only look to it as a guide and speak naturally and sincerely.
>> Showcase your personality, dedication, and passion during the interview
Most students are too shy to apply for certain internships because they believe that they lack the experience required for the position. However, most employers value an intern with a great personality and eagerness to learn just as much as experience in the field.
Vangso said, “When dealing with an internship in the PR area, the intern becomes the face of our business for the period of time they intern. This means that our products will be reflected via the personality of the candidate we chose for the position. It is therefore crucial to find the best fit to make this a valuable experience and not to jeopardize the image of the company. We usually look for a positive, dedicated, well spoken, and self-motivated person. However, the willingness to learn is probably the most important aspect to a successful relationship for both parties. You can teach someone almost anything, but you can't teach him or her to come to work motivated. When we look at candidates, we always check to make sure they are really interested in our field and if so why.”
>> Stay up-to-date with industry-related news
We cannot stress this enough. A college degree and a high GPA can only get you so far. Knowing the latest news in your field of interest is a sure and easy way to gain an edge over your competition.
>> Network, network, and network
Obsessed with Facebook? Love tweeting and blogging? Fortunately, many employers nowadays see these as positive attributes; so don’t be timid in letting your prospective employer know about your proficiency in them. But do remember to keep your public profiles appropriate and professional!
Also, take advantage of career-focused networking sites such as LinkedIn and DirectMatches because your professional and personal relationships can come in handy when searching for your next internship. Staying well connected can even help you get your foot in the door to that seemingly unattainable dream job.
For more career advice and interviews with UCD Textiles and Clothing alumni, check back for Part 2!
OTHER USEFUL LINKS:
>> MATERIAL MATTERS BLOG POST: Internships Matter