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Careers Beyond the AcademyGraduate Students & Internships
Overview
The Learning Edge Gaining Experience Networking Career Center Internship Resources Internship Programs OverviewInternships can play a crucial role in graduate student professional development. They provide valuable experience for graduate students, and can be beneficial in multiple ways. An internship offers an opportunity to gain relevant experience, and to get a realistic perspective on what it is like to work within a given field. If you decide to seek employment in your internship area, employers know you are making an informed, deliberate choice, rather than a last-ditch, “anything other than academia” leap. An internship may also lead to the discovery of new options. For example, you might learn about a niche area within a field, or gain exposure to a career that you had not previously considered. An internship can confirm your interest in a career area, or conversely, cause you to reassess your plan. For instance, a graduate student recently reported that his internship in social science research helped him to gain a broader set of skills and a unique perspective on policy issues. Surprisingly, and most importantly, the internship helped to clarify his preference for working directly with clients in community-based advocacy programs. When you decide to explore a particular career path, you will need to research employers to find organizations that hire candidates with your background and skills. Research internship programs and employers, take a look at some of the Info Lab resources, including the Internship and the PhD section of the Career Center's library. The Learning EdgeNot only are internships valuable in terms of skill development, another key advantage is that you can gain an insider perspective of the profession. This kind of exposure to the field can make the difference between being regarded as a viable candidate, as opposed to an enthusiastic, yet relatively uninformed applicant. As an intern, you have the unique vantage point of being in a learning or training role within the organization. You have opportunities to gather information through both formal an informal means. Take the opportunity to ask colleagues about their career paths. The more information you have, the better you can determine whether the field is a good match for you. Gaining ExperienceEmployers are likely to regard the internship as evidence that you are serious about pursuing the field, and that you have made a commitment to the profession. There is another significant practical advantage to pursuing an internship. Employers place a high value on relevant skills and work experience. According to a recent (2006) report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), graduates who completed internships were offered higher starting salaries than those without internship experience. In a survey of 1,156 employers, nearly half (46.2%) extended higher starting salaries to candidates with internship experience. To maximize your experience, seek an internship that will give you the chance to work on key projects, gain exposure to new skills or to work in an emerging field or specialization area. Gaining such “value added” experience will give you an advantage when you search for a job after graduation. After a 3 or 4 month internship you will have a better sense of whether this field is a good match for you. An internship also gives you a chance to develop a portfolio of projects or work samples that form a solid basis for demonstrating your contributions to an employer. NetworkingInternships can be instrumental in expanding your professional network. Interns are in an advantageous position to learn about job openings within the organization. Former interns often land permanent positions with the organization. Even if you decide that you want to work in a different field, you can still benefit from the internship experience. Keep in touch with colleagues and supervisors after your internship is over. Utilize your network by asking for referrals to individuals who may be helpful in your search for a permanent position. Career Center Internship Resources
Internship ProgramsThe following is a list of just a few organizations that offer internships for graduate students in the private, nonprofit, and public sectors. Some employers also feature postdoctoral fellowships and traineeships. Remember that many companies offer internship programs. Visit the websites of organizations that interest you to search for internship and summer job programs for graduate students. AAAS Mass Media Science Engineering Fellowship - This 10-week summer program places graduate and post-graduate level science, engineering and mathematics students at media organizations nationwide. Fellows have worked as reporters, editors, and researchers at the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, National Public Radio, and Scientific American. Cato Institute - The Cato Institute is a nonprofit public policy research foundation headquartered in Washington, DC. IBM - IBM employs both graduate and undergraduate students in Internship and co-op programs Microsoft - Many internships are available for PhD students. The laboratory locations include Silicon Valley, San Francisco bay area, Redmond , Washington and Bangalore , India National Cancer Institute - The National Cancer Institute offers a variety of internship and fellowship training programs. Pasteur Institute - This research institute in Paris offers postdoctoral fellowships, internships, and jobs for scientists. Proctor & Gamble - P&G offers internships in various fields worldwide. Public Policy Institute - See the summer internship and dissertation fellowship programs. Rand - Summer Graduate Internship Program World Bank - The World Bank features several training opportunities for PhD students, including a Bank Internship Program, Knowledge Internship Program, and a Junior Professionals Program.
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On the recommendation of our counseling staff, the Career Center lists job and career information sites that generally meet the following criteria: are of interest to Cal students, easily navigated, require no fee or registration prior to viewing, and (for job sites) list a significant number of entry-level positions in California. New sites may be submitted for consideration and are typically reviewed on a quarterly basis. Please indicate the page on our site where you think your link would be appropriate. |
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