SavvySugar

Unpaid Internship: Would You Work For Free?

SavvySugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 06:00:52 -0700

A typical workday means long hours and taking orders from a boss you may not always see eye to eye with. Still, at the end of the day, the promise of a paycheck makes it all worth the hustle. So, what happens when there is no payday?

In many of the most competitive industries - and especially in light of the recession - unpaid internships are becoming common practice. In London's fashion industry, hundreds of qualified fashion graduates end up working for free. These unpaid interns are largely responsible for the beautiful clothes turned out by some of the industry's top designers - contributing their ideas and man hours, with no hope of sharing in the company's profits. Regardless of legislation to guard against these practices, many companies take on full-time, unsalaried interns without contracts. While some argue this is just paying your dues - and standard practice in the fashion industry, where things can be pretty cut-throat - I can't help but sympathize with the unpaid workforce.

What's your take on the no-pay practice? Would you (or did you) work for free after obtaining your degree?

Interning Isn't Just For College Kids Anymore

SavvySugar — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:30:04 -0700

When I think of an intern, I picture myself during college earning little or no money with the ultimate goal of graduating with a competitive resume. It seems my perception is now outdated, and an intern could be somebody just like the modern me - except without a job.

Unemployed workers with several years of experience under their belts are filling the role of unpaid Summer interns in more offices than you'd think, motivated by the possibility of gaining new skills and expanding their networks. If you're contemplating applying for an internship and don't fit the typical college kid mold, The Wall Street Journal has a few tips for finding success in this role.

"Be modest. While you have managed subordinates in the past, recognize that you’re there to learn."
"Leave age out of it. Treat your younger intern counterparts as equals to avoid brewing resentment."
"Play it cool. Don’t try to sell your ideas or ask about a permanent job until the stint’s about to end-and only if it’s gone well."

Does Your Workplace Hire Summer Interns?

SavvySugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:30:59 -0700

As the bloggers over at DC Interns are well aware, the Summer intern season has officially begun. While the intern experience is probably not as intense in most places as it is on the Hill, many workplaces bring on a few young, energetic up-and-comers to help out and learn the ropes (and let's be honest, make more than a few copies) for the Summer. Is yours one of them?

Is It Fair For Parents to Pay For a Foot in the Door?

SavvySugar — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:30:57 -0800

Getting a leg up on the competition isn't as cheap as it used to be. More college students are realizing the importance of interning before graduation, and while many internships are unpaid, landing those spots isn't always free.

Internship companies like University of Dreams operate by charging students a fee to guide them through the steps of scoring a position. The fees range from $5,000 to $9,500, and after polishing students résumés, the company arranges interviews with various employers. If the student isn't chosen for any intern post, the fee is refunded.

What do you think of the tactic of paying for internships - is it fair to pay for a foot in the door?

Source

I'm Asking: Have You Ever Had an Internship?

SavvySugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:00:06 -0700

Aside from having paying jobs throughout college, I was always interning at one place or another. My friends and family thought I was nuts for stacking my schedule to the brim, but internships were an integral part of my education because I learned so much from those experiences.

They allow you to peek inside various jobs and make an assessment about whether or not they are something you'd want for your future, and hop around at a pace that wouldn't be acceptable as a higher-up employee. Have you ever had an internship?

Source

Internship Open at The Richie-Madden Children’s Foundation

SavvySugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:00:42 -0700

Intern Queen Lauren Berger has officially rolled out her new business, the quarterlife Internship Program, and recently posted an opening for an internship at The Richie-Madden Children’s Foundation. Interning and volunteering are the most effective ways to build our resumes during school, and hey, the potential of a celeb sighting while you're interning at a do-good foundation isn't a bad deal.

That particular spot is for a Communications/Web Design Intern, but the quarterlife Internship Program has several opportunities with various organizations that would be amazing for college students. I wish the program had been around when I was in school, but the founder Lauren is just a 20-something herself! You can apply for all associated internships through the quarterlife Internship Program's site.

Source

Innovative Internships: Getting What You Want Is Up to You

SavvySugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 04:24:28 -0800

As a college student at a school with an ineffective career center, it's up to you to find interesting internships that would build your resume for a competitive job market upon graduation. Interning is important because it allows you to test a handful of different career paths and helps you identify your talents. Not to mention the invaluable connections that serve as references for your first real-world employer, and may even become part of your personal board of directors. But what if you just can't seem to track down an internship that suits your distinct interests? To find out what some ambitious students have been doing just read more

The Wall Street Journal profiled a few very motivated students who actually created their own internships. While it's rare that college students know exactly what they want to do (at least I didn't), these unique individuals couldn't find what they were looking for and developed their own internship ideas. Think of it like schools who let you create your own major, or if you were allowed to develop your own job description at work.

One college junior created an internship that allowed her to combine her love for hip-hop music with her interest in helping children. She tried finding something she'd enjoy among formal internship programs, and after not being able to find a match she sent letters to eight non-profits. None of these organizations had a formal intern program but one took her on (stipend included) based on the position she had outlined.

What would have been (or could be) the perfect internship for you?

Source

I'm Asking: Where Would You Be Without Craigslist?

SavvySugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 08:30:00 -0700

When I look back on how big a role Craigslist has played in my life, it makes me ask, where would I be without it? Internships, jobs, apartments, bargain furniture . . . I credit the website with finding many of these. How has Craigslist helped your career and life in general?

Product / Marketing Manager Résumé, Remedied

SavvySugar — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:30:01 -0700

After working in her current position for three years, TeamSugar member cents4dollars is ready for a new challenge. She's found a couple of awesome positions and is excited to apply, so she posted her résumé in my Résumé Remedy group for advice on how it could be improved. My two cents are below; feel free to add your own feedback in the comments!

Remove the excess. The quality of her experience is clouded by the crowded resume - there's simply too much going on for a hiring manager to focus on the important details. I would re-format the resume to show the name and contact information at the top (and reduce the font size for the name). As is, the format leaves me wondering where to look first. The other sidebar items stating her language skills and licensed product experience get lost. Move these items in the body of the resume.
Rewrite the professional summary. I understand where she's going with the professional summary, but the way it's currently written is confusing. If you deem it necessary, write a concise statement that incorporates your breadth of experience and would entice the hiring manager to read on. In this case, a summary of qualifications placed between the name and professional experience could be the best way to showcase the specific skills you've obtained working in the industry, along with your language skills.

See my other recommendations when you read more.

Get more specific. As is, a hiring manager will learn your current job responsibilities, but he or she won't be able to tell how effective you are. Employers want to see that you can bring results. Revisit each line under your current job and think about making them less about your duties and more about your accomplishments.

Delete the irrelevant. Only include details that are relevant to the job you want. So, for the assistant camp director position, it's unnecessary to include the line that begins "planned daily activities" because it's redundant and irrelevant. Move the most impressive line, "Doubled enrollment for splash camp over course of 2003 summer with creative daily activities and active parent communication" to appear first. Perform the same trimming technique to the publicity internship.

Clean up tenses. Edit your tenses: If you're referring to any job that isn't your current position, the action verb should be in the past.

Don't Start Your Cover Letter With This Sentence

SavvySugar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:30:27 -0700

We all know it's exciting to graduate college, and higher education is a big asset for any applicant. But don't boast your new diploma in the very first line, or even explicitly in your cover letter, like it's the best thing you have to offer a potential employer. Too many fresh-out-of-college graduates hurt their chances by beginning their cover letters with a sentence that reads: I just graduated from Blank University.

Your educational achievements will be clearly stated on your resume. As a new grad, you should use the cover letter to emphasize the experience you've acquired through various internships and jobs during your university years. If your major is directly applicable to the position for which you're applying, feel free to bring up projects or coursework that strengthens your candidacy. Just be sure they are highly relevant to the skills required for the job so the hiring manager isn't left wondering why you've included those details.