Why you need an internship - and 5 surprising things I learned at mine

Why you need an internship - and 5 surprising things I learned at mineWe all can agree that college is tough. Youre busy checking facebook inc in class, going to frat parties, and asking your parents for a weekly allowance. All jokes aside, the transition from high school to undergraduate is not easy. But, the transition from undergraduate to the real world is going to be even harder. Internships help make the experience more palatable. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) I remember being a freshman at Texas Christian University and hearing the upperclassman in the library stressing over what internship they were going to get. Back then, I knew internships were important enough to stress over, but I did not really know what they were or even their significance. As the school years went by, so did the importance of internships. Positions started to become more competitive and I began to receive an overwhelming amount of letters that began wit h, We regret to inform you.Senior year welches about to start, and I welches still without an internship for the semester. I knew this was my last shot at boosting my resume, and I was determined to get an internship that would wow recruiters come graduation. I applied for the Varghese Summersett Digital Marketing Internship after furiously stalking the law firms website and social media accounts. I was blown away by the law firms success and was hopeful that my resume would stand out. I had no previous experience in law, but I did have an impressive background in marketing which is what landed me the job. Working at VS for the past nine months has been an enriching experience. My expectations for elevating my marketing knowledge were surpassed within my first few weeks at the firm. Beyond that, I learned a few surprising lessons along the way.1. Yes, interning at a law firm is exactly like SuitsFor me, Ive never aspired to be a lawyer, but after working at this firm I have been mes merized by the law firms practicalities, the education required and the etiquette that is always displayed. Everyone really does wear pantsuits, and I really did have to sign a non-disclosure. Learning about criminal law was mesmerizing, and hearing about our attorneys success was motivating.2. Seek clarityAs an intern, its important to always know the details of the project for which you are assigned. Your boss is counting on you. Your work will be seen by a larger group of people beyond just your boss, and although some tasks may seem insignificant, everything adds up. Work hard on every project you are given because you never know where it may end up. For me, after I was given an assignment I would repeat the assignment in my own words back to my boss. Sometimes, my boss would correct me and better explain an aspect of a project that I lacked clarity on.3. Work hardInternships typically come with an upfront end date, which means they are only going to last a short amount of time. An internship is your time to gain as much hands-on experience as you can so that you can develop your skills, and set yourself up for a career in the real world.4. Be flexibleAs an intern, you are going to be asked to tackle projects that may be outside of your typical duties. You need to be flexible. Be open to wearing multiple hats. Taking on a variety of projects means you will be working with a variety of different people. Learning how to be adaptable will open up opportunities for you, and being flexible with your communication style or way of doing things is essential for success.5. Embrace challengesDoing things you have never done before is scary for everyone, especially when you are an intern. Use fear as afuel. Utilize it to enrich your skill set. For me, I had mentioned that I was barely proficient in Spanish. To my surprise, I was asked to translate for our Spanish speaking clients in multiple settings. I translated video recordings, client meetings, and phone calls. S panish still is not my strong suit, but the value of taking on the challenge was indispensable. I showed my coworkers I was willing to help and gained their trust.About the authorMargaret Foley is a senior at Texas Christian University, where she is majoring in Communications Studies and minoring in English and Graphic Design. She is currently interning at Varghese Summersett, a criminal defense firm based in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Job Search 5 Tips On How To Find A Family-Friendly Employer

The Job Search 5 Tips On How To Find A Family-Friendly Employer Years ago, I had the opportunity to interview for a job of my dreams. Everything about the job was just right. ExceptDuring the interview process, my vermgen manager outlined the expected hours 7 am until about 10 pm. When I heard the news, I felt a kelend in the pit of my stomach. I simply couldnt imagine putting in hours like that at the officeeven for my dream job.For starters, when would I find time to exercise? Let alone have a social life? This was long before I had my kids, but I am certain that these hours would be even more cringeworthy to a working parent.The man interviewing me for this position did me a favor. He was completely candid about the expected hours and the culture. But at many companies, expectations and standards are much more opaque.Is this company family-friendly? is not the kind of question you want to ask in an interview for fear youll be labeled as someone who doesnt want to work hard (though parents who race home to their kids can of course still be hard, capable workers). Can I leave by 6? is also not a winner. Yet lets face itthose are the things most working parents really want to know before signing on for a new job.So here are some ways you can discreetly determine whether a company youre interviewing with is family-friendly1. Schedule your interview at the end of the day.Ask to schedule your interview as late as possible at the end of the day, at 430, 500 or even 530 pm. Its probably a better time for you anyway, since you are likely ducking out of work for the appointment. The interview slot time you get is probably a good indicator of the culture at the office, and how late your potential manager is willing to stay.And when youre there, it will give you a chance to binnensee how many people are still in the office at the end of the day. Look around as you are walking out. Are most people still hard at work? or many have left?2. Search for clues about the people who work there.Embrace your inner Sherlock Holmes The more people in a department or company have young kids, the more likely they are to be understanding if you have family commitments to work around. Search for photographs on the desk of people you interview, and ask them about their family. (Its a good way to create a rapport with them too)3. Use your network to try to get in touch with current or former employees.Find friends or friends of friends who can give you the real scoop on practices at the company. Just make sure it is someone who wont share your conversation with the hiring manager.4. On-Site Benefits? Read between the lines.On-site benefits like free meals, snacks, and gyms are fantastic perksand we love employers that provide them. However, sometimes when all of these amenities are available, it is a subtle signal that employees are meant to put in long days at the office or on the campus. Feel out the people you interview with to see if they make use of these featu res and try to subtly probe about whether it keeps them from going home earlier.Conversely, if on-site day care is available, ask the HR representative about hours. The daycare hours can be a great signal for workday expectations from working parents.5. Use research tools like Fairygodboss.The lack of transparency around family-friendly policies and expected work hours is one of the main reasons we founded Fairygodboss allows you to learn about the experiences of women at thousands of companies in their own wordsand its completely free and anonymous.Sometimes the things that make a job family-friendly seem impossible for an outsider to figure out. For example, if youre a salesperson, you may have no choice but to travel to clients. However, there may be certain managers or departments that are more understanding of care-taking responsibilities.Thats why Fairygodboss even provides you the the opportunity to anonymously send messages to women who are part of the the communityso you ca n ask current employees about their experiences, and even get interview tips to prepare you for the big day.Its impossible to know everything about an employer before you go in but play detective and you can dramatically improve the odds of finding the right culture and job.Fairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women. Join us by reviewing your employer

The Most Neglected Fact Regarding Resume Writing Training Courses Revealed

The Most Neglected Fact Regarding Resume Writing Training Courses Revealed Very good people needed help writer stick out in the market and receive the jobs that would aid their careers take off. It can be challenging to objectively describe that which we do at work, much less describe it succinctly. Fantastic people needed help to stick out in the market and receive the jobs that would aid their careers take off. Offer to compose the the of family and friends who are searching for employment. If approved, you will need to pass the certification examination. By taking that additional step to get certification, it demonstrates that youre serious and dedicated to your career. Maintaining certification requires you to earn 15 Become every 3 decades, and you have to also renew your membership annually. Possessing that certification makes all of the difference. Resume Writing Training Courses Can Be Fun for Everyone Thus, its the most convenient alternative for Moms the upcomin g freelance resume writers. Apparently, there are simpler ways to turn into a resume writer. Although some resume writers are generalists and work with anyone, it is much simpler and more lucrative to zupflmmel a particular niche. Sure, you might not NEED to employ a certified writer as a way to compose a resume, but by employing a CPRW your chances increase. Using Resume Writing Training Courses Youre all required to compose a resume and cover letter dependent on the info youre supplied for a hypothetical client. When deciding to develop into a house health aide, obtaining certification is needed. When its not a great one, your information will probably get tossed in the trash. Obtaining home health aide certification is extremely critical when it has to do with finding work. You will have to earn 15 continuing credits every 3 years to stay certified with the NRWA. You may want to think about taking a course on beginning a little enterprise. There are a few routes you m ay take with resume writing. The Appeal of Resume Writing Training Courses Professional are a few of our most recent testimonials. As soon as you have finished the essential reading, you will speak to the PARWCC to advise them that youre ready to departure the test to be a Certified Professional Resume Writer. The examination to be a Certified Professional Resume Writer is made up of two parts. Moreover, theres an initial fee of approximately $350 to start the procedure to become a Certified Professional Resume Writer. What to Expect From Resume Writing Training Courses? If youre thinking about entering a house health aide career, you want to make certain that youre fond of being around people and revel in taking care of those. By putting in the time and effort needed, youll be showing the employer that youre a professional, that youve got the desire necessary to become an outstanding employee, and that youre a good fit for the job which he or shes offering. Of course the d uties can change in each individual work setting and is contingent on the requirement of the specific individual being cared for. By doing this you can be positive that the home health aide training you get is within the law of the state you intend to get certified. The NCRW Certification Commission is composed of volunteers who are dedicated to promoting the greatest standards of resume excellence. Since the resume industry isnt regulated, you want to at least find a professional thats certified. Also, developing a website for your company can help you promote your skills to others.