Peter Vogt, the MonsterTrak Career Coach, answers questions about having an internship after graduating from college.
How old is too old for internships and volunteering?
I'm 27 now. Lost a few years because of personal problems. I'm now in much better shape, but at a loss for explanations to employers regarding gaps in my resume, low grades, etc.
My long-term goals include grad school, though at the moment I want some kind of real-world experience. Any help would be appreciated.
Answer:
You're never "too old" to do volunteering or an internship. And you're certainly not too old at only 27! Did you know that the average age of today's college students is around
25? So by all means, pursue volunteer opportunities, internships, temping - in short, anything you can do to gain some experience in your chosen field.
The more experience you gain, the less "explaining" you'll have to do to employers who might wonder about your resume gaps, lower grades, etc. It could still come up, of course, so it might be a good idea to tell them something like "I was trying to figure out what to be when I grow up" (or something along those lines!). Everyone can relate to that and how it might affect your resume as well as your grades.
I have a bachelor's degree in Mass-Media Communication. I want to get started in magazine writing. I had an internship in college but I don't think it was enough. Is it still possible to get an internship after college to gain experience or should I just go the entry-level route?
Answer:
Given the current economy and entry-level job market, you're smart to want to gain some additional experience, particularly since you want to write for magazines (which can be hard to break into).
You CAN get an internship even though you've already graduated. It's not as common as current undergraduates having internships, but it does occur fairly often (especially in nonprofit organizations). So while you continue looking for an entry-level job, do be
open to taking an internship as well.
I have been offered an internship for 2-3 weeks with a finance company. I have really good academic qualifications but NO JOB EXPERIENCE whatsoever, and I'm really desperate about securing a job as quickly as possible. I graduated about a month
ago and haven't found a job yet.
This internship really interests me and I want to try to receive a job offer after it's over. If the employer says nothing about a continuation after my internship, how do I approach this issue? Should I just ask him if it would be possible to stay a while longer with the company? Because I can't ask them straight out if they want to hire me, right?
Answer:
It is fairly common for employers to hire past interns. Many companies use their internship program as a opportunity to train and screen potential new hires.
However, for now, I would not jump ahead to considerations of full-time
employment; I'd focus on doing extremely well during your internship. Then, just before the internship ends, you should sit down with your supervisor and ask about the possibility of full-time employment. If there isn't an opportunity available, be sure to keep in touch with your contact in the company. Perhaps when something is available they will keep you in mind as a potential candidate.
Do internship opportunities include post-grads? I am trying to break into the graphic design field, but I only have student experience. All ads are for experienced designers, so I am thinking of an internship. Do you think this is a good strategy for me?
Thanks!
Answer:
I think that gaining experience through an internship is definitely a good idea. It will give you the opportunity to make contacts in the field and to learn about different aspects of the industry. Employers tell us they prefer candidates who have developed job-related skills and knowledge through career-related work experience.
Do companies ever take on interns who have just graduated, or will graduate during the internship? If so, is it common? If it makes any difference, I am asking in respect to the field of computer programming.
Answer:
Depending on the company and the requirements of the internship program, you still may be eligible to participate in an internship after graduation. I would contact the companies directly to ask them about their policies regarding this.
I would like to know what the average age range is for people participating in internships? Is there typically an age ceiling for people wishing to enter into such forms of employment?
Answer:
Age is generally not a consideration in obtaining an internship. Keep in mind that internships have been quite successful vehicles for adults wishing to re-enter the workforce and for workers who have been laid-off and are seeking new careers. If you are seeking an internship, don't consider age an important factor in your search. Instead, look for an internship that will fit your future career plans, polish your resume and develop your interviewing skills.
I made the big mistake of not getting an internship during college. What do I do now? Is it possible to get an internship after graduation and what are the issues and dilemmas involved? It's really hard to get an entry-level position in management consulting without work experience.
Answer:
You've got a few options for obtaining experience:
One would be to investigate what types of "management training" programs are available to you. These programs are geared toward recent grads with little or no experience and are designed to provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to be
successful within an organization.
A second option is obtaining an internship in your field. The downside is that it may not provide a substantial income, if one at all. However, there is the possibility that the organization might hire you after your internship. Before you accept an internship, find out how often interns are offered full-time positions.
A third option would be to find a temporary employment agency that specializes in your particular career field. The advantage to this option is that you will earn money while getting broad exposure to a variety of organizations and industries. Be aware,
though, that some temp agencies and client companies require a specific time commitment to them before you can become a full-time employee.
I'm a recent college graduate. I was offered an internship with a well-known organization that would provide me with the opportunity to gain invaluable work experience. The downside is the pay...I would only make $13,200/year! On the other hand, the job market is so slow right now that I'm afraid to pass this up. What should I do? Is pay negotiable for an internship?
Answer:
Given the tight job market and your interest in this organization, it sounds like you have a great opportunity to get some quality experience. Internships are becoming a useful tool for organizations to evaluate talent and assist with their recruiting needs. I would encourage you to talk with the company about their flexibility regarding salary and what,
if any, your chances are of becoming a full-time employee with them after your
internship is completed. Based on that conversation, you'll have a better idea of what to
do.
If you choose to negotiate your stipend, I'd encourage you to have specific reasons outlined for them as to why you're worth it. You're going to have to sell yourself and your skill set.
I graduated from college six months ago, but I never did an internship because I had no idea what I wanted to do. I now think that I would like to work for a study abroad
organization. Is it too late to convince a company to let me intern with them? I inquired several times about internships my senior year and got responses like "An internship? In
your senior year?"
Answer:
It's NEVER too late to have an internship in order to gain experience in your field of interest. Many recent (and not-so-recent) college graduates arrange their own internships after graduation for the very purpose you have. It may not be called an "internship" -- you might simply need to volunteer.
When you approach organizations, don't ask only about internships. Let them know that you're looking for experience of any kind, whether it's through an internship or on a
volunteer basis.
Once you're there, volunteer to work on projects or long-term assignments with more responsibility. Chances are it might turn into a real internship. If not, you'll be able to include your volunteer experience on a resume.
Also look into working on a freelance or contract basis with organizations in your field, particularly non- profits. Nonprofit organizations often rely on volunteers to accomplish organizational goals.
These questions were compiled from message boards at MonsterTrak.com. Check out MonsterTrak for additional tips and job listings.
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