Creating You - the Complete Intern "Package"

It takes more than good grades to land a job after graduation. The "package" presented to a potential employer needs to be all-inclusive: good communication skills, proper etiquette and social skills along with the portfolio of talents developed in college. Becoming proficient in these areas prior to your internship will move you to the front of the line, setting you apart from all other applicants.

Want to be a "Keeper"? Check out this great article, The Missing Link: Why Good Students Lose Great Jobs written by Kerry Harding, President and Owner of The Talent Bank, Inc. to find out what firms look for in a potential employee.

Until next week! Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

Top 10 Benefits of an Internship

College is an intensive 2-5 year period of education for your upcoming career. Completing an internship during college provides a great opportunity for short term hands-on experience in your chosen field. Many schools require internships for graduation, but if yours does not, do one anyway! The benefits far out-weigh any disadvantages.

Here are 10 of the top reasons to intern:

1. Provides chance to earn credit and money simultaneously - get paid while you go to school!
   
2. Experience firsthand things you will never learn in the classroom.
   
3. Compare what you now know to what you actually need to know.
4. Enables you to test and refine knowledge as you begin to develop confidence and competencies in professional skills.
5. Validates your career direction is correct - before you finish school and realize you do not really like the industry!
6. Helps you practice the art of finding and getting a job.
7. Network as you meet and connect with others in the field, which often provides leads on other workplaces that might be hiring.
8. Helps you make the transition from student to professional as you begin to think, act and dress like a professional instead of a student.
9. Offers the experience employers look for which gives you the competitive advantage over other applicants.
10. Increases your credibility and marketability after graduation.

Use your internship as a time to begin thinking about life after college. Prepare for your future job before you graduate.

Beginning with the End in Mind

Welcome to my new blog, Intern to Employee! Having spent many years....ok, maybe not "so" many (I'm not that old!).....hiring, training and mentoring interns and recent graduates, I have learned much about the transition from college to career. I also remember what it felt like to wonder if I knew what I needed to know to handle my new job.

The owner of the company where I held my first interior design position was the example of best manager I have encountered. Paul Stegenga willingly taught his employees those things they had not yet learned and provided experiences for growth. My favorite attribute of Paul's management style was his ability to look at a mistake I had made and say, "next time let's do it this way." He taught me how to correct my mistakes and kept my confidence intact at the same time.

Having someone to answer my questions and teach me the design business, give pointers on what to do as well as correcting mistakes without destroying my confidence was greatly appreciated. Working in that kind of atmosphere can make all the difference in growth as a professional as did my time at Stegenga + Partners.

It is with my first boss in mind that I begin this blog in hopes of being a mentor to those who need a leg up, pat on the back or light in the darkness. May everyone be as fortunate as I was to start my career with such a great company. Thanks for the inspiration Paul!!