Experience matters!
- Internships are one of the best ways to gain practical experience in a professional environment
- At an internship, you get to apply what you learned in the classroom under the watchful eye of a supervisor or mentor.
- Internships are more than filing papers and getting coffee, although there might be some coffee grabbing in the future!
Are you confident in your career goals? Do you know the basics?
- Internships can occur throughout the year and can typically range from 10 hours to 40 hours depending on the timing.
- Students typically participate in internship programs during or after completion of their Junior year.
- Experience and networking are both crucial to finding a job and an internship will offer you both.
- Internships are like a dress rehearsal for your future. It will give you the opportunity to impress employers with your skills, and possibly land you a future job offer.
- Internships also allow you to network, which may open doors for other future internships or job opportunities.
- Start early! Many employers recruit in the fall for next summers internship opportunities!
- Stop by career services, talk with your advisor and check out the OCU's Handshake app (link).
- Tell everyone you know you’re looking for an internship…you never know where an opportunity may lie.
- Visit company websites and other job search engines like
- Submit your resume and cover letter to Career Services (link) for review
- Brush up on Business and Dining Etiquette
- Make sure your social media is clean, classy and on lock-down!
- Set up a Mock Interview to nail down interview basics and run your elevator speech
Absolutely! You should take advantage of any and all employment opportunities.
Internships are about the work experience, that is why many internships do not offer you a salary. Unpaid internships must still meet the specific criteria established by the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division. Click here to visit current information from the Department of Labor (link to external webpage).
Before turning down an internship that does not compensate you with a paycheck, consider the following criteria:
- The internship, even though it includes the actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to training which would be given in an educational environment.
- The internship experience is for the benefit of the intern.
- The intern does not displace regular employees, but works under close supervision of existing staff.
- The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern, and on occasion, its operations may actually be impeded.
- The intern is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the internship.
- The employer and the intern understand that the intern is not entitled to wages for the time spent in the internship.
- Always convey professionalism. Represent the BEST of OCU!
- Arrive on time (early) and dress professionally.
- Be observant, listen and learn everything that you can.
- Work to learn the names of everyone you meet.
- Go above and beyond their expectations! Take advantage of every opportunity.
- The duties may not be glamorous at times, but if you prove yourself to be valuable it could mean big things down the line.
- Take advantage of the opportunity to conduct Informational Interviews (PDF) to gain insight on your career path and industry.
