Internships
One of the cornerstones of the career development process is an internship, an opportunity where you can explore your career fields in action, gain first-hand experience, develop industry contacts and build the critical transferable skills that are in high demand from companies nowadays.
What is an Internship?
An internship is an experience where students get exposed to practical work experience while getting the chance to apply their theoretical and soft skills within a supervised professional setting. Through internships, students get a chance to gain work experience, develop their practical knowledge, make connections and better understand one or more professional fields of interest.
Why an Internship is Important?
Internships provide you with short-term work experience and an opportunity to explore how your interests relate to potential career fields, build professional networks and stand out to employers after graduation and build the critical transferrable skills needed in today's job market.
Internships are offered through one of the following four main programs:
|
|
Winter |
Summer |
Part-Time |
International |
|
Timing |
January |
June - August |
Ongoing |
June – August |
|
Duration |
One month |
One to three months |
Part-time one to 12 months |
One to three months |
|
Application Period |
October - December |
April - July |
Ongoing |
Two to six months before the internship |
*Note that any of the above programs can be provided either virtually or on-ground.
Internship Process
-
-
Identify the career industry/s you want to explore: It is important to assess your personality preferences, values and skills to better understand yourself and prepare for the internship process. You may utilize one of the below workshops to help you through this step:
-
Your Interests and Career– SII
-
Your Personality and Career– MBTI
-
-
Prepare your resume: An important step to being prepared for an internship is having your résumé uploaded and approved on your CareerWEB account via the documents tab. You may utilize the below to help you through this step:
-
Register for a Résumé 101 workshop
-
Schedule a resume critique appointment
-
Visit the Career Center for a résumé critique appointment during the walk-in hours, any working day from 12 - 2 pm, and bring a hard copy of your résumé with you
-
-
Sharpen your interviewing skills: An interview is an integral step to landing an internship, make sure you practice and prepare well for it. You may utilize the below to help you through this step:
-
Attend power interviewing by corporate professionals
-
Schedule a mock interview with one of the advisors
-
-
-
Once your résumé has been approved on CareerWEB, you can explore and apply to available internship opportunities on CareerWEB. You can refer to CareerWEB student brochure to guide you through the process. You may utilize the below to help you through this step:
-
Participate in Career Center events, network, and ask about internship vacancies e.g. Employment Fair, Career Day
-
Attend job search strategies workshop
-
Network with your personal contacts, and ask for internship leads
-
-
The last impression you leave in an internship makes a difference in future opportunities, make sure you finish your internship opportunity with a good impression. Undertaking some of the below points will help you achieve that:
-
Ask for a letter of recommendation or certificate from your supervisor
-
Remind your supervisor to fill out the employer evaluation form
-
Send your supervisor a thank you letter and stay in touch
-
Fill out the online program evaluation form that is availed on your CareerWEB account upon completion of your internship and share your experience and photos with Career Center staff members
-
Internships Do's and Don'ts
-
Do’s
(Application Process)Don’ts
(Application Process)-
Read the details of the internship well. including but not limited to the description, location and timing before applying.
-
Apply for internships only when genuinely interested in the company and the position.
-
If you have any questions, ask them before you submit your resume via Intern@aucegypt.edu.
-
Apply to various internships without reading the requirements or being interested in the opportunity.
-
Expect the employers to notify you if they have not shortlisted you for an internship.
Do's
(Interviews)Don'ts
(Interviews)-
Ask for the contact name and number of the employer in case there is an emergency.
-
Be on time for the interview and do not schedule an interview and not show up or apologize at the last minute.
-
On the day of your interview, make sure you give yourself plenty of time for commuting and arrive 10 mins before your scheduled time.
-
Dress professionally.
-
If you will turn down an internship offer, do so in a professional and respectful manner before the agreed-upon date.
-
Once you have accepted an offer, whether verbally or in writing, you must immediately terminate any other hiring-related activity for other internships during the same time frame.
-
Be late or not show up to the interview without 48-hour notification to the employer.
-
Do not accept an offer and then turn it down. This is called reneging and the behavior typically jeopardizes future opportunities for yourself and for your colleagues.
-
At all times remember, your professional reputation is one of the most important assets you have, do not portray an unprofessional image.
Do's
(During the internship program)Don'ts
(During the internship program)-
Be punctual and professional.
-
Show initiative, energy, and commitment.
-
Be inquisitive and ask questions.
-
Treat your co-workers with respect at all times.
-
Listen to your supervisor and learn from others.
-
Participate in team projects.
-
Understand the company operations and recruitment strategies.
-
Make sure to take notes.
-
Keep copies of projects you have done.
-
Take photographs of yourself at work.
-
Don’t participate in corporate politics.
-
Do not show a lack of professionalism throughout the internship.
-
