The Value of Unpaid Internships

By Kelsey McWilliams, junior journalism major at CU-Boulder

Although unpaid internships may not seem like the ideal option, there is a lot of value to be found in the experience. Our last post, “Have You Applied For a Summer Internship?” talked about the importance in considering internship opportunities whether they are paid or unpaid. Read on for more reasons to consider unpaid internships this summer!

First of all, unpaid internships provide invaluable experience. No matter how much money you could make babysitting or lifeguarding, you can’t put a price on the experience you gain through an internship in your desired field. College is the perfect time to experiment with different companies and find out what career you’d like to pursue after college.

When it comes to your future, an unpaid internship experience can be crucial in the job search. A friend of my recently had a job interview where the employer asked her about her previous internship experience. My friend had just completed an internship at a non-profit organization in Denver, and the interview was thrilled to hear that the position had been unpaid. As the interviewer said, ‘unpaid internships show potential employers that you are dedicated to hard work, not just making money.’

Unpaid internships are also great opportunities to network. The people that you meet during your internship will be potential resources for the rest of your professional career. Not to mention, if a paid position opens up at the company you work for, you’re likely to be one of the first people they consider.

The next time you’re thinking of turning down an internship because it’s unpaid, keep these points in mind. One unpaid internship could lead to the full-time job of your dreams!

Have You Applied For a Summer Internship?

By Kelsey McWilliams, junior journalism major at CU-Boulder

Summer is four months away, so you’ve got plenty of time left to think about your plans… right? While you do still have a bit of time, your summer internship search should begin NOW if you haven’t yet started. At the very least you should start thinking about what you would like to do this summer: take classes, travel, get a job or pursue an internship. If you choose the latter, begin researching companies so that you can figure out where you would like to apply.

Who do I want to work for?

Begin your search by researching companies that you might be interested in working for. Look at a wide variety of options, and don’t be afraid to pursue positions that may not fit perfectly with your major. Your qualifications are your most important asset; so many companies don’t care as much about your major as long as you seem to fit the part.

What the heck am I going to do about money this summer!?

While we would all love to get paid as an intern, don’t limit yourself by judging positions based on the salary. Unpaid internships show future employers that you are dedicated to work rather than just to making money. You can often get course credit for unpaid internships, so make sure to research the company and your university’s policies before applying. In addition, you can never predict the opportunities that can come from an unpaid internship. Last summer my friend had an unpaid internship that turned into him making $15/hour because of the work ethic he demonstrated throughout the course of the internship. Many employers are also looking to hire interns for full-time positions after they graduate college, so an unpaid internship could potentially turn into your dream job!

Where do I want to be?

As you continue to search for internships, decide where you want to be. Open your mind to the possibility of living away from home this summer. As much as you will miss mom’s cooking and reunions with your high school friends, there are endless opportunities across the nation and abroad that you wouldn’t want to miss out on. Worried about housing? Universities across the country have housing programs that allow interns to live in their dorms and apartments for the summer. Some larger companies will even provide housing for their interns, so look into that option as you research potential employers.

When should I apply?

In today’s competitive job market it is important to be timely and make yourself stand out. Start putting together your application materials (cover letter, resume, writing samples, etc.) NOW, so that you’ll have plenty of time to contact companies you’d like to work for. The internship search process is not one that should be rushed, and you’ll need plenty of time to ensure that you find the right company for you.

Why should I intern this summer?

You may feel like you’re not ready for an internship, but it’s never too early to start looking. Freshman, getting an internship after your first year of college will make you stand out among other applicants as you continue to pursue jobs in the future. Sophomores and juniors, you are the target age group that employers are looking to recruit for internships. They’re looking for you, so help them out and apply for internship positions! Seniors, many of you believe that you’re too old for internships, but this is absolutely not the case. According to internships.com, 83% of employers consider applications from recent graduates. Furthermore, 69% of large companies made full-time job offers to interns in 2012, so a summer internship could be a solution for your job search difficulties. Interns of all ages have a leg up on last year’s applicants because 53% of companies plan to hire more interns in 2013 than they did in 2012. Internships are a great way to gain real world experience that will help you years down the road, so hurry up and start applying!

How do I apply?

Through Career Services, of course! Create an account on Career Buffs, our online job and internship database, so that you can start searching. Right now there are more than 400 active internships in our system, many of which are for summer!

Now that we've filled you in on the who, what, where, when, why and how of internships, it's time to get to work. If you're looking for a little extra guidance before you start your search, schedule an appointment with one of our career counselors.

How to Sell Yourself in 60 Seconds or Less

By Ethan Vernon, senior international affairs and Chinese major

Being able to sell yourself in 60 seconds or less is a valuable tool for any professional. It’s also a valuable skill for students to develop when attending events like job fairs or networking events. The act of marketing yourself to potential employers in a short period of time can also be called an elevator speech. It is important because it helps you tell other professionals who you are, what you do, how you can help them and how they can help you. You never know when you will encounter your dream investor or potential business partner, so having a short speech on hand will help you feel prepared to network successfully.

Your pitch should be detailed, yet concise. Rather than rambling, stick to the most pertinent information regarding your company or idea. Depending on the environment, your audience may be accustomed to hearing multiple pitches in a day, so try and mention ideas or achievements that set your organization apart from others.

Keep your pitch interesting! As mentioned above, you may be competing with hundreds of other people for the attention of your audience, or they may just have other things on their mind. Tailor your elevator speech to those with short attention spans. Ask and answer, “Why would someone want to listen to me?”

Elevator speeches are not exactly one size fits all. You should tailor your elevator speech to fit the different audiences you may face. Investors may be interested in your moneymaking ability, whereas donors may be more interested in qualitative aspects and moral obligations of your company.

You don't need to have a company or an idea in order to prepare an elevator speech. The best thing to pitch, in fact, is yourself! For example, if you are looking to pitch yourself to an employer in hopes of landing an interview, then tailor your speech to the qualities that you possess that compliment their company. The whole idea is to show your audience what makes you stand out and how you can help them.

Lastly, ensure a calm and cool delivery by grounding your elevator speech in real life data. Your audience will assume you’re the expert, so make sure to deliver. Before even outlining your speech, do your research on what you have, what you need, and why you need it. Once you have a general idea of what you will say, try writing it down and rehearsing it in the mirror. Your elevator speech should be natural, not forced.