We asked a group of interns to share their advice based on their experience this summer. Looking back on the first weeks of their internship, what would they have done differently? And, if they were to hire their replacement, what would they be looking for in a potential candidate?

Most would have asked more questions from the start. We all want to look competent when we start a new job, to prove we deserve to be there. But the only way we learn is to ask for directions. There are no stupid questions, unless you ask the same question multiple times and don’t listen to the answer.

Although some internships involve menial assignments, the view from the bottom provides a great observation point to see how an organization operates. Being the first in the office and the last to leave was rewarded with more meaningful assignments. Approaching colleagues and supervisors with a positive attitude set others apart. Do more than you are asked.

Be flexible. Don’t consult the job description each time you are assigned a task. We live in a time of change. Be prepared to adjust to accommodate change in the organization.

Think about it. If you are a manager, how much of your career do you want to trust to the intern with attitude who arrives late every day and is out the door at 5? You probably have enough drama in your life and are counting the days until summer ends and you can bid your intern goodbye.

An internship is an extension of your education. It’s a laboratory to test your interests and possibly fail. None of us enjoys negative feedback, but if it helps improve performance why not open yourself to constructive criticism?

On the list of what these interns would look for in a replacement:
1.    Someone who has done their research and understands the business
2.    An applicant who can demonstrate an ability to work well with others
3.    A person who does not lead with their superior attitude, but who is willing to pitch in to get the job done
4.    An individual who is outgoing, energetic, assertive, resourceful and professional

Next time you are looking for an internship, consider this advice from colleagues. They may be on the other side of the desk at your next interview.

If you have an internship or a part time job this summer you are apparently among the ‘lucky few’ according to the New York Times. In the Sunday Styles section reporter Alex Williams supports his thesis with a number of stories of college students who have returned home, unemployed.

For those of you who are employed this summer, it may be hard to relate to this story.

Finding a summer job or internship takes time. In many competitive industries or government the majority of the internships may be unpaid. By early spring it should not have been a surprise that a new level of effort would be required to find work this summer. And it is quite possible that many would be working two jobs – an unpaid internship and a paid part time job to help with the cost of college.

The reality of the new economy is that experience trumps GPA with most employers. The majority of graduates with full time offers this year had one or two internships on their resume. Even in the sectors that were hit the hardest by the economic downturn, employers offered full time positions to their summer interns.

Here is my question for those of you who are still at home without a job. What have you done today to change your situation? If you believe it is too late, then use the remaining time this summer to network. Schedule some time with professionals in your field and get advice on what you should do next. These conversations may lead to an opportunity.

Why does your internship have to be in the summer? Most employers hire year round. If you are taking 18 credits in the fall, you still have at least 10 hours to work at an internship.

You have a choice. You can read articles in the newspapers that tell you that there are no options and it is ok to sit home all summer or you can start moving toward your career goal. It’s your choice. In this competitive job market, you do not want to carry the label of underachiever.

Do your research, find your fit, demonstrate your passion, take the initiative and prepare. These five tips come from the employers who participated in panels last week during the semi annual Internship Week.

These suggestions also apply if you are currently seeking a full time job. The bottom line is you have to customize your job search for each individual position. Sending out a form letter with a change of name and address for the recipient will not set you apart.

You do your research to learn about the organization, the position and the person who will conduct the interview. The web site may give you a sense of the culture, but you will need more information to determine ‘fit’.  Do you prefer working with folks in your age group or do you prefer a range of generations in the workplace? You may want to work with people, but how? Who are the clients of the internship organization?

How do you demonstrate passion for a particular career field? If you have taken the time to do your research and can relate your experience to the job description in a cover letter you have an edge. Now, you need to follow up with the employer to be sure you get the interview.

What does taking the initiative really mean? It just means being impatient in a positive way. Follow up to get the interview, send a thank you note after the interview and don’t wait to be asked once you start. Employers seek self-starters who will volunteer for more work once they have completed an assignment. This is how you learn the business. Pay attention to detail from the cover letter, to the resume, to the quality of work you deliver at your internship.

As you start you job search, take the time to create the foundation for your professional reputation. Record a voice mail message that is short and identifies you as the mailbox owner. One recruiter gave up on a prospective candidate after listening to a combination of music and rant. Clean up your Facebook account. Employers do have access to social networking sites and will check your profile. Join a social network that links to your profession or one that has a broader professional membership such as LinkedIn.

If you missed any of the panels, you can listen to the podcasts and hear each of these employers discuss who gets the job and why.

If you are considering a summer internship, now is a good time to start the process. Next week is Internship Week, the semiannual event to connect employers with USC students. The format groups employers by career fields and combines a panel discussion with a networking component. Sessions begin on Monday, February 23rd and continue through Thursday, February 26th. If you cannot attend, you can listen to the podcast of the panel discussion along with those of previous events.

This is the year to take advantage of any opportunity to mingle with employers. If you are a freshman or a senior, attending events and making connections will help you establish a competitive presence. Why should an employer hire you for an internship over other candidates? You should be prepared to answer the question. To do that, continue to research potential career fields and employers.  Talk to people about your career aspirations. Internship Week provides one venue to build on what you may already know about a field or employer. Or, it may open up new possibilities you have yet to consider.

Review the schedule and select the panels you plan to attend. Develop some questions to ask the employers. At these events you should be looking at the nonverbal clues to organization culture. The panelists are successful at the places they represent. Many share the common experience of a USC education. How do they dress? How do they present the internship opportunities? As you listen, what questions come to mind that will help you assess if this is a place where you can succeed?

If you don’t find what you are looking for at Internship Week, continue to use connectSC and set up an appointment with one of our internship advisers. If you are going home for spring break, now is a good time to identify possible summer internships closer to home. Spring break is a great time for interviews.

Take some time this week to update your resume and get ready for Internship Week.

Sixty three percent of graduates in the USC Class of 2008 were employed as interns at some point in their time as undergraduates. Sixty percent indicated they had more than one internship. Thirty four percent were offered positions by their internship employer. Including an internship as part of your undergraduate experience is no longer an option, it is a requirement.

Nationally, employers are hiring over 62% of their entry level employees from internship programs. Two of the major investment banks who participated in past fall recruitment have shifted their hiring process this year to spring internship interviews. The reason? All of their summer interns have accepted offers of full time employment. It is essential that you try out your career interests before you graduate.

What is an internship? One way to describe it might be as a three to four month interview. The experience allows you to decide if this is the right employer for you and it gives the employer time to observe your work performance and possibly make an offer. Many of you have had a part time job that may fit the definition. The label is not as important as the experience.

Here are my thoughts. An internship can be paid or unpaid. They key is that you have a supervisor who will provide guidance and a project that is yours. You should go into this experience with an idea of the skills you hope to develop. Remember, this is an apprenticeship that builds on your classroom experience. It will help you decide if this is a career you want to pursue or it may cause you to change direction.

If you decide to accept an internship during the semester you should think in terms of an 8 – 10 hour commitment. This works out to a couple of half days or one full day. Evaluate your skill set and think about folks who are successful in your field. What do they have that you still need to acquire? Select an internship that will add to your portfolio.

How do you get started? First, utilize the resources here at the CPPC. We have been offering a series of workshops on securing an internship. Check the calendar and come learn about the process. You will find listings of available internships on connectSC. Once you are registered you will receive the weekly internship newsletter with information on specific internship opportunities. Stop in to our Internship Programs Office in the lower level of the Student Union during daily walk in hours from 9 – 3:30. During the week of October 13th we will be hosting Internship Week. Attend one or more panel discussions to hear from employers who will be hiring interns for the spring. If you miss a panel you can always listen to a podcast.

Timing? Anytime after your first semester at USC is a good time to start. Even if you are a senior in your last semester. It is not too late to gain some internship experience.