Goodbye, and Good Luck!

As the semester comes to an end (and I complete my last day of classes as a college student), I would like to thank all of my readers.  I hope each and every one of you took something away from my posts, and that you will keep the advice that I shared in mind as you finish up your current internships, search for new positions, or even for those of you that are graduating, start your professional life.  Remember to make the most of your internship experience.  Do not be afraid to challenge yourself--set goals, learn new skills, ask questions, network with your coworkers and make an impression on your supervisor.  This is your opportunity to develop and showcase your worth to a future employer.  You can do it!

Thanks for reading!

Intern Profile: Caitlin Goettler

Major: Communications/Journalism, Minor: Political Science.

Previous Internships:

NY1 – The Call                                         New York, NY            Jan. 2013-April 2013

Zazoom – Buzz60                                    New York, NY             Sept. 2012-Dec. 2012

U.S. Coast Guard Public Affairs               Juneau, AK               June 2012-August 2012 
                                                                                                    June 2011-August 2011

State of Alaska Office of the Governor     Juneau, AK               April 2010-August 2010 

Constituent Relations             

KTOO Public Radio                                  Juneau, AK               June 2008-August 2009

How did you find your internships?

I came about my internships in various ways. Some I found through fliers and the career centers at both my high school and college. Others, like my internships with the Coast Guard and KTOO Public Radio, I found just by sending them a cover letter and my resume and asking them if they had any opportunities in my field.

What new skills have you learned through your internship experience(s)?

I’ve learned a tremendous amount from all of my internship experiences. I’ve had a lot of technical training such as editing, interviewing sources, writing and professional skills. The biggest thing for me, however, was developing my people skills and self-confidence. Because of this, I’ve been able to become an integral part of the team and not just the intern that silently slips in at 9 a.m. and out at 5 p.m. I’ve also been able to maintain connections with mentors from high school even now as a senior in college because of this skill.

Describe a conflict or problem you faced as an intern, and how you coped with or found a solution to that problem.

When I worked for the Office of the Governor my duties included manning the front desk during the lunch hour. This meant addressing Legislators by name when they came in for meetings, while sometimes juggling four or five phone calls. It was really intimidating, and I wasn’t quite ready when I was first left to do the job on my own. Some Legislators had come to see the Governor and I had no idea where to send them or what to do. It was a big mess, and I was really embarrassed. Instead of dwelling on it, though, I immediately talked to my supervisor when she returned from lunch to let her know what had happened and that I needed more training or help before doing the job on my own again, and she completely understood. This taught me that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness or incompetency, but instead shows that you care about the job you’re doing and you want to do it correctly.

What was your favorite part of your internship(s)?

I have a lot of favorites, but most recently at my internship with NY1, I loved doing man-on-the-street interviews. Asking New Yorkers questions about what bugs them was probably one of the most entertaining parts of the job. It also helped me become more confident in approaching people for interviews.


What did you find out about yourself after completing your first internship? 

I found my career, which was one of the most important takeaways. But before my first internship, I was extremely shy, and I hated talking to people on the phone. Afterwards, I came out of my shell a lot. It showed me that I can overcome even personal setbacks.

Did your career goals and/or aspirations shift or change?

I will always attribute my love for journalism to my first internship with KTOO Public Radio. I thought I was going in for an interview and they took me into the studio, put a recorder in my hand and sent me out on my first assignment. Ever since then I have always known exactly what I wanted to do, and I’ve tried to find internships and professional experience to match that.

What advice do you have for new interns?

Be persistent in the job hunt – it’ll show that you’re dedicated and really want it. I once applied for an internship three separate times before I got it. Another time I got an internship over somebody else because I followed up after an interview. I find that a lot of times my peers are worried about being a bother to someone, when in reality people are just busy, and they appreciate a reminder or a follow up email or phone call.

Also I would say it’s important to make the little things count. Be polite, show up on time, and get to work as soon as you sit down at your desk. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten positive comments on internship evaluations just for doing these little things.

Learning LinkedIn

As college students, I am confident that many of you have had some experience using social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  Whether you have experimented with these mediums personally or in the workplace, one cannot deny the power of social media in today’s society.  For professionals, including young interns, one popular social tool that keeps employees across various industries connected is LinkedIn. Similar to Facebook, LinkedIn provides users a platform to create a profile, document their professional experiences, make connections with coworkers and friends, follow industries and/or companies of interest, endorse the skills of those they are connected with, and post job listings, news or alerts that would be relevant to their connections.

If you have not already, I recommend creating an account here.  Below are some tips to keep in mind when developing your page!

1. Upload a professional photo—As always, first impressions are extremely important.  Keep this in mind when selecting a default photo for your LinkedIn page. Obviously, your future employers and coworkers do not want to see a picture of you at a party last weekend.  Instead, select a professional image of yourself for your main photo—preferably a head shot or picture of you dressed in business attire against a solid backdrop. 

2. Include a biography—When creating a LinkedIn profile, do not be afraid to utilize the “Bio” section of your page.   Instead of leaving this component of your profile blank, like many professionals tend to do, provide a brief description of your professional experiences, skills, and goals.  This allows your viewers to gain a better understanding of whom you are and what you have to offer.

3. Connect with people you know (Most of the time)—LinkedIn allows you to connect with many employees across a wide variety of industries.  In addition, the site suggests that you endorse the skills of those you connect with, assuming you can review and assess the work of these individuals.  Therefore, it is smart to form connections with people you have collaborated with in the past, such as classmates, coworkers, professors and supervisors.  If there is someone you would like to connect with that you do not know personally, it is appropriate to send a direct message to that individual or have a connection that you have in common introduce you to one another in person or online.

4. Follow your company/competitors/relevant industry accounts— Similar to your Facebook newsfeed, you will be updated with any relevant information posted by these individuals or companies!

5. Consult with supervisor on how to update your responsibilities—Every LinkedIn profile provides space to list your professional experiences in detail—an in-depth and more detailed resume, if you will.  If you are unsure how to word or describe your responsibilities at your internship for your LinkedIn account, set aside time with your supervisor or manager to work on producing a list together.  

Updating Your Resume

As the semester comes to a close, you probably have limited time left at your internship site.  Before you leave, you should document your experiences and all of the new skills you have learned on the job.  What better way to do this than by updating your resume? Because you have, at the very least, earned your first internship already, chances are you have a resume in place.  Consider these tips and tricks when updating the document before your internship ends.

1. Bullet Responsibilities--Jot down all of the projects you worked on as an intern in the simplest of terms.  Did you help organize an event?  Did you utilize Microsoft Office to create presentations or spreadsheets?  Did you conduct research?  You will probably be surprised by how much work you have completed in such a short period of time.  If you have limited space on your resume already, cut this list down to the top four or five most important accomplishments.

2. Action Words--After this list is complete, amp up your vocabulary by using "action words" like "researched," "constructed," "generated," or "created" when describing your responsibilities.  Using these verbs make you seem more active and engaged in your work.

3. Stay concise--Do not write a novel when describing a project or task that you have worked on.  Remember, a resume (arguably) should be no longer than a page in length, so you have limited space to work with.  Instead, keep each bullet short and to the point and be prepared to speak to the description in an interview setting.

4. Peer Edit--Ask your supervisor or a coworker to look over your updated resume. Most likely, they have updated resumes before and will have suggestions for valuable additions to your document. They can also help you proofread--resumes should ALWAYS be error free.  Another set of eyes never hurt!

5. Customize--When applying for a new internship or job, read and reread the description for the position.  If the internship spot is appealing, try to tailor your experiences in the workplace to the desired job.   For example, if the job requires a lot of work on Microsoft Excel, make sure any work you have done on that program is listed on your resume!

There's An App For That

A few weeks back, I did a post on some of the top services, companies and people to follow on Twitter as a student intern.  While browsing Pinterest (one of my favorite pastimes), I came across this awesome article by insidejobs.com that outlined some of the best smartphone applications for interns to download.  The best part, you ask? They are all FREE!  The list includes apps that will help you stay organized, track popular trends, share documents, charts and presentations, and even find the best spots to stop for a cup of coffee on the way to work!

I have used several of the apps on this list, and have found them so helpful as both an intern and a college student.  Evernote, my personal favorite, allows me to make checklists that I can access on my phone, tablet and computer.  I also swear by the Dropbox app, which is an excellent tool for storing documents, files, videos and images. Similar to Google Drive, the Dropbox app can be shared with people you permit access to--perfect for group projects!  And last, but certainly not least, Pandora Radio is almost always blasting my favorite music.  Who can do work without some tunes?

Check out the rest of the apps in the article and see if any appeal to you.  What do you have to lose?  If they're free, they're for me!  :)

Intern Profile: Meghan Massaroni

Major/Minor: Sports Communication Major, Psychology Minor

Previous internships: Tennis Ireland (Fall 2012), Danbury Westerners Baseball (Summer 2013)

Meg and the 2013 Westeners interns volunteering at summer clinic!

How did you find your internships?

I found out about the Tennis Ireland internship through Marist International Programs when I decided to study abroad. The FIE Dublin, Ireland Program offered me with the opportunity to undertake a six credit internship with the company.

For my Danbury Westerners internship, I met with Gerry McNulty, the Director of the Communication Internship Program at Marist, and spoke to him about internship opportunities for the summer. I applied, had a phone call interview and got the offer. 

What new skills have you learned through your internship experience(s)?

I learned a lot through my internship experiences. One of the main skills I learned is to get as involved as possible and stand out. As an entertainment coordinator/marketing assistant, I learned various marketing techniques, prepared and distributed special flyers, schedules and press releases, and overall played a major role in creation of game production. The cool thing about sports is that everything is very intertwined and networks are very much linked. My internships have definitely helped in teaching me how to get connected with people and broaden my network!

Describe a conflict or problem you faced as an intern, and how you coped with or found a solution to that problem.

There weren't many problems I faced during my internships, but I do have to say as an intern, I think one of the hardest moments for me were the days when I did a lot of repetitive tasks because they got boring at times. Other than that, everyone I worked with was cooperative and fun to be around.

What was your favorite part of your internship(s)?

My favorite part about my internships was meeting new people and working in an industry I truly enjoy. Interacting with people and gaining insight about the profession I want to go into was inspiring and motivating for me. I was able to get a feel for where I want to go in the future with my career.

What did you find out about yourself after completing your first internship?  Did your career goals and/or aspirations shift or change?

I have always had a passion for sports, and after completing my first internship I was able to narrow down the field I want to work in with sports after graduation--Public Relations. Overall, my internship experiences have proved to me that wherever I end up I will be able to take on the real world!

What advice do you have for new interns?

My advice to new interns is to work, work and work even harder. You need to develop connections and relationships with different people and make those people want to help you. An internship can lead to a lot of great experiences, especially in the professional sports field, so you have to start somewhere. Don't be afraid to meet with people, ask questions about their career path and use them as a resource. Always be appreciative and strive to stand out.

Business Dining 101

Business Dining 101

Over the course of your internship, your supervisor or manager may invite you to attend business lunches and/or dinners.  Often, coworkers and clients will be present at these events.  Take these invitations as opportunities to network and demonstrate the knowledge you have gained in your new position.  Whether the meal is to take place at a five star restaurant or the diner around the block, keep in mind these tips and tricks to impress the other guests at the event:

1. Appropriate Dress—Unless instructed otherwise, business professional or business casual attire is appropriate for office related luncheons or dinners. Yes, boys, that may mean a suit and tie!  Sometimes, the event is more casual or professional than what you may wear to work.  If you are still unsure of what to wear, check in with your supervisor or another coworker that is attending the lunch or dinner to discuss the appropriate attire.

2. Table Manners—Keep in mind that you are not eating at your kitchen table at home.  Speak softly, sit up straight, and remember to say please and thank you.   When looking at the menu, avoid ordering the most expensive item (unless encouraged to do so by your manager or supervisor.)  While eating, keep a napkin in your lap, and, of course, do not speak while chewing!  Also remember that finishing your meal is not a race.  Pace yourself and enjoy the conversation at the table.  In other words, you probably don’t want to look like this:

3. Ordering Alcoholic Beverages—Personally, I would avoid ordering alcoholic beverages whenever possible.  Although it may seem acceptable if your coworkers or manager have ordered a drink, alcohol clouds your judgment and lowers inhibition.  As an intern, it is unnecessary to drink on office time.  Instead, stick with a water or fountain soda! 

4. Place Setting—While dining at fancy restaurants, place settings can be a little intimidating.  Which fork do I use for the salad?  Why are there so many utensils?  Where does my bread plate go?  Typically, the small appetizer/bread plates belong on your left side, and the drinking glasses on the right.  Forks can be found on the left side of your plate, with knives and spoons on the right.  While you are eating, work your way inward with the utensils.  Therefore, each course will require a different utensil.

5. The Bill—Because you are an intern, the odds that you will be expected to foot the bill are slim.  However, it is smart to keep some cash in your wallet in case the host is short a few bucks, or you happen to be asked to split the cost of the meal.  While this is highly unlikely, it is better to be prepared than unprepared!

What Do YOU Look For In An Internship?

Yesterday, The Huffington Post published a short piece on how employers' must consider the needs and wants of potential interns in order to create a successful internship program for their company.  It makes sense, right?  As college students constantly on the prowl for work experience, we strive to find the company or organization that meets both our personal and professional needs.  While one person may be looking for a "hands-on" type of office environment, another may be more interested in gaining networking experience and mentorship at their internship. 

The article included the following infographic created by InternMatch--an online platform that works to match intern candidates with employers.  See what other interns take into consideration when applying for internships.  Where do you fit in?

Intern Profile: Conor Loughlin

Major/Minor: Communications/ Psychology

Previous Internships:Madison Square Garden Network, New Jersey Devils Marketing Department

View from Conor's workspace at the Red Bull Arena!

How did you find your internships?

I found it online at first just by looking up marketing internships that were related to sports. Then once I narrowed it down, I used a connection that my dad had at Madison Square Garden to help me get the internship.

What new skills have you learned through your internship experience(s)?

I learned a lot of new and different skills. This was really my first 9-5 job, so things like commuting and working in a office were totally unique experiences. I also learned a lot about working together as a creative team and it was really cool to see the process of how the commercials for the network went from ideas to actual TV and print commercials.

Describe a conflict or problem you faced as an intern, and how you coped with or found a solution to that problem.

There was one instance where, through some oversight, the wrong commercials had been running all day and were placed for the next day incorrectly and we found out at 4:15. We all had to scramble to make the changes to a locked television lineup and various other alterations, but we were able to pull it together last minute and I was happy to do whatever I could to help.

What was your favorite part of your internship(s)?

Definitely going on the shoots for commercial footage. We went to some cool places like Jones Beach Theater and the new Red Bulls Stadium in New Jersey. It was a nice escape from the office for a day as well as learning even more about shooting commercials and advertising.


What did you find out about yourself after completing your first internship?  Did your career goals and/or aspirations shift or change?

My goals are mostly the same, but working for MSG and the Devils definitely helped me focus on my career path. The MSG internship was a little bit more on the technical side of advertising, which is not really where my interest lies. However, my experience at the network helped me confirm that I wanted to pursue a profession on the creative side of marketing/advertising.

What advice do you have for new interns?

My advice would be to have fun with your internship. Internships take up a lot more of your time than you think, especially if you work 5 days a week and have a long commute.  I would say that you should just try and have some fun with your new job. Make friends with some of the people who work there and make a few connections for down the road and it will be a great experience. Also its important to understand that most of the time the people who you work with want to help you so ask questions and show some interest and it will go a long way. 

Saving Money as an Intern

Let’s face it—as college students, we are far from rich.  In fact, most of us still rely on our parents to finance our lives.  Even worse, we are expected to secure internships that may not even put any money in our wallets.  While we take the job to gain experience, it is difficult to survive an internship experience on a budget.  While living the intern-life, take these tips into consideration to stretch your dollar and make your savings last! 

1. Bargain Shopping—Every new intern deserves to treat him or herself to a new wardrobe before starting a new job (OK—maybe not an entire wardrobe, but at least a new shirt or two!)  Regardless of your usual spending habits, shop for internship attire wisely.  As we know, the pockets of an intern are not deep.  Do not be afraid of scouring the racks of stores like Target or Walmart for discounted items on classic pieces for your new professional ensemble.  Even better, raid your best friend’s closet (with their permission, of course) and swap different looks for free--that is, if you are the same size!

2. Transportation—Sometimes, just getting to your internship every day can come at a great cost.  Before your first day, map out the most cost-effective way to travel to your job site.  Can you car pool with a friend that works nearby?  Is it cheaper to drive or take public transportation?  Does the local bus or train station offer discounts for weekly or monthly travelers?  Are student rates applicable?  Do your research—you will be surprised by how much money you can save by planning ahead!

3. Food—Grabbing a coffee and a bagel at the Starbucks next to your office for your morning caffeine fix or agreeing to meet with friends for lunch everyday can cost an intern a pretty penny.  While an occasional meal out of the office can be a fun treat, save some cash by making coffee in the office pantry and packing lunch from home.  You can still socialize with your friends and coworkers at the local coffee shop—just bring your lunch bag with you!   

4. Learn to save—For those of you lucky enough to be paid for your work, use your bi-weekly paycheck or stipend as an opportunity to learn the value of a dollar.  Rather than spend your money the second it is deposited into your bank account (don’t worry, we’re all guilty of this!), set aside at least 50% of what you made into your savings.  You will be shocked at the amount you will have saved by the end of your internship.  Depending on how much money you make, you may be able to treat yourself to the new XBOX or pair of shoes that you wanted all semester!

Looking Ahead

As the fall internship season comes to a close, many of you are researching potential internship opportunities for the spring semester (or summer vacation, for you overachievers).  Yesterday, www.forbes.com released the top ten internship programs as researched by Vault Career Intelligence for students seeking new and exciting possibilities for experiential education.

In order to create this list, Vault Career Intelligence reached out to 500 of the 1,000 companies listed in its directory to participate in an internship survey in which 140 companies responded.  Vault gathered over 7,500 surveys from interns that rated their individual experiences based on the quality of life, compensation and benefits, interview process, career development and full time employee prospects.  Because Vault only considered companies that had ten or more interns respond to their survey, only about 100 companies were considered for their cumulative list.  Admittedly, this meant that companies with critically acclaimed internship programs such as Google and Microsoft were not considered for this year's directory.

Ladies and gentlemen, without further adieu, here are the results for the best internships for 2014!

1. BP America Intern and Co-op Program
2. Bain & Company
3. Bates White Economic Consulting Summer Consultant Program
4. Elliott Davis Internship Experience
5. Evercore Partners Investment Banking Summer Analyst and Associate Program
6. Northwestern-Mutual
7. Plante Moran
8. Houlihan Lokey
9. Boston Consulting Group Summer Internship Program
10. Capital Fellows Program

While it is fun to consider the possibility of interning at one of the aforementioned companies, the reality is that these programs are extremely competitive.  Therefore, do not get too discouraged or down on yourself if these opportunities seem justtttttt a tad out of your reach.  While it never hurts to submit an application to your dream internship, it is important to keep in mind that there is an experiential education opportunity out there for everyone.  

Do your research, use the contacts you have made at your current internship to your advantage, and be confident in your skill set and determination to succeed.  While not every intern can land a job at BP America, you will find an internship that best suits you. Remember, it is not necessarily about the "name" of your employer, but about your personal experience.  Where are you going to learn the best about your desired field? Where are you going to expand on your current skills?  Where can you as an employee make the greatest impact on a company?  These are the questions you should be asking yourself when you apply for your next internship!

Internship Coordinator Profile: Gerald McNulty

Name: Gerald McNulty 

Position: Director, Communication Internship Program at Marist College

1. What is your professional background?

I graduated from Marist College in 1979.  I went to work for a small daily newspaper  called the Port Jervis Union Gazette, which no longer exists, that was in Orange County NY.  I then relocated to Vermont with my wife and freelanced for a while.  I was hired by the Associated Press in Montpelier, Vermont, the state capital, and worked with them for a little under a year.  I then took a job with a newspaper there, the Montpelier Times Argus.  I was a reporter in Montpelier for about four years, and then switched over to desk work, as its called here in the business.  We relocated to Poughkeepsie where we had some friends in the business and I went to work at the Poughkeepsie Journal.  I worked for the Poughkeepsie Journal for eleven years.  I held a variety of positions there, from copy desk editor and copy desk chief to Sunday editor to city editor.  I was the city editor for seven and a half years.  In 1996, I changed careers.  My old internship director, Bob Norman, had retired the year before.  I took over for what Bob had been doing and spent the next couple of years redesigning and reformatting the internship program.  It really is almost nothing like what it was, but that was thirty years ago.  I have been the internship director in Communication since 1996.  I have supervised over 3,000 students.  I have created the International internship program, along with the international folks in 1999 that branched out first to London and Dublin and Sydney, Australia, and I understand it is now being adopted in Florence.  In 2002, I launched the “New York Media Experience” program, which was a Manhattan-based residential hybrid internship and online course program, and that was renamed in 2009 to “Marist in Manhattan,” which is what it is known as now. 

2. Through the Communication Internship Program at Marist, you work with several students and interns.  What is your favorite part of working with these students?

The whole idea is empowerment and independence.  That is my favorite part—my favorite part is when students...come back to my office and tell me that they have been hired, or when their internship experience has literally translated into jobs.  While that’s the goal, that is almost uncommon.  What is much more common is for many students, not all, but many to become really independent over the course of one or two or three internships.  Another favorite part…is when students I haven’t really talked to in six months or a year stroll in and tell me that they have attained that second or third internship—and that they did that without me because we got them started a year before when they needed help.  That is the goal—the goal is for them to become very capable career seekers, if you will. 

3. In your professional opinion, what is the value of internship experience?

It’s real world.  It is reality, in that career setting.  That is what you can’t get.  You cannot get that experience anywhere but that environment.    

4. How many internships should a college student complete before graduation?

I wouldn’t put an arbitrary number on it, because there are so many ways to do experiential education.  Certainly, as a rule of thumb, it is good for students to have two different work experiences or internship experiences.  But, for some students, doing an extensive full time semester like we do for “Marist in Manhattan,” it might be enough.  For some students, it is a singular in-depth experience that changes the way they view themselves and gives them a leg up, and that is fine.  For the next student, they may have to do two or three because of where they are in their head, their personal development, their maturity level or their career choice.  One of the values is learning what you do not want to do.  It is very difficult to explain to students who have developed a pragmatic approach to education.  That pragmatic approach is understandable, on the one hand, but is also very shortsighted on the other hand, which is normal when you are 20 years old.  Learning comes from practice and learning comes from experience and it doesn’t happen all at once.

5. If you were looking to hire an intern, what qualities or characteristics would you deem most important?  How can an intern make an impression at their new job?

Maturity, because of the demographic.  The typical college student is working on that.  They are at that point in their lives where that is something that they are working on.  They are getting better at it all the time, but they are obviously not there at 19 or 20 years old, not necessarily.  The candidates who stand out are the ones who are intellectually curious but accept their role.  The candidates who stand out are the ones who challenge their supervisors on an intellectual basis as opposed to an emotional basis.  They see the value of the work as opposed to the value of themselves in the work.  That is a difficult thing to do at that age, it is very hard, and if you can see that lineation or begin to see it at 19 or 20 years old, that separates you from the group.

  

6. What is the best way for interns to stay connected with their supervisors/coworkers?

It is a difficult thing.  What I would say, is first I would back up a little bit and try to think of how it works and what is at stake…Yes you are an intern, yes you worked for them.  They have a lot of different interns there.  Do you really expect the contact to say that you were the best one out of the interns there?  What is he going to say to the other seven?  Maybe you were, maybe you weren’t.  Now, fast forward three months or six months.  Eight new interns came and went.  Four more months go by, another eight are there now.  That’s a lot more interns since the last time you were there!  This doesn’t mean we never reach out.  What I’m saying is, be realistic.  Reach out, ask for a recommendation, keep in touch, but be realistic.  I try to tell students that their job is to make a connection.  Don’t get so charged up or take it so personally when you do not get a call back. 

What really works?  What really works in a work situation is the same way it works with friends and family.  Try to make real connections with people.  Not the fake ones, not the courtesy business ones, and you will know when you make a real connection.  It will be difficult to do.  You may be an intern at some place where you work with three different supervisors and ten other interns, and you may not connect with anybody. That is possible.  The flip side is that you are in a situation where you work with ten to fifteen people and you really connect with one person, but you connected with them.  Just like with a friend, send an email once a week to see how they are doing.  It becomes more of a personal thing than a professional thing.  You have to be more tuned in to your own aura and know who liked the work you did and respected you, and then connect on that work level.  That is hard to do and it will not happen everyday.  But when it does happen, you need to be paying attention.  

Meeting Manners

As an intern, chances are you will have the opportunity to sit in on department or company-wide meetings quite frequently.  You may be exposed to different sectors of the business, meet new employees or clients, and/or become privy to important (and perhaps private) information.  To make an outstanding impression on your supervisor or manager, it is important to remember the following pieces of advice while in a meeting setting.

1. Be present--Undoubtedly, all employees face distractions while in the office. However, you can avoid some of the most tempting distractions in a meeting quite easily.  For example, unless it is absolutely necessary, avoid taking your cell phone or lap top into the conference room or area.  Chances are (especially being an intern) any message or email that comes in throughout the duration of the meeting can wait. Instead, focus your attention on the content being discussed.  Be punctual, listen, contemplate, comprehend and analyze the information that is discussed, and look interested in the conversation--even if you aren't.  You do NOT want to look like Michelle Tanner...

2. Take notes--Come prepared to every meeting with a notebook and pen or pencil. You wouldn't show up to class without these essential items, would you?  (OK--maybe some of you college juniors and seniors would these days, but you get the point). Taking notes the old fashioned way will make you seem as though you are engaged in the conversation and the subject matter at hand--which you should be.  Often, the notes you take in a meeting will come in handy when working on projects or assignments for your department.  Believe me, your boss will notice that you are paying attention, and may even check some of his or her information against your notes.

3. Be active--If you are in a meeting with the CEO of a huge corporation, you probably will not speak unless spoken to. However, you should be able to read whether or not it is appropriate to participate in conversation while in an office meeting.  More than likely, your supervisor or coworkers will appreciate your insight and comments, even if a question or comment was not directly pointed at you.  Remember, you were hired for the internship for a reason.  Your opinions and your intelligence matters.  Do not be afraid to become involved in the conversation if you feel that it is warranted.

4. Understand "confidentiality"--Work under the assumption that all of the material covered in any meeting that you attend is private or confidential.  Sometimes, meetings focus on undisclosed information such as new business or finances.  Often, you will be able to read what content should or should not be released to others.  Your judgement is key, but it is better to safe than sorry. I would suggest avoiding disclosing any information to individuals outside of the meeting (other employees, former, current or future clients, etc.) before checking in with your manager or supervisor.

5. Ask questions--Most of the time, interns are not expected to understand every facet of the company they are working for--especially when they first start the job.  The only way to learn more about your employer is to ask meaningful questions.  If there is something you are unsure about or something that you need clarified, do not be afraid to ask a coworker or supervisor.  Even if you feel more comfortable waiting until a break in the meeting or even until after the meeting is complete, it is better to get an answer to your question(s) straight from the source than trying to figure it out for yourself!  As an aside, asking questions is another great way to stay engaged in the meeting and keep you focused.

The Thought Catalog

I have spent a lot of time over the past couple of weeks discussing the ins and outs of being the perfect intern.  I have provided you with advice based on my personal internship experiences, outlined tips and tricks from interviews with current and former interns, and discussed some of the hot topics of internships in the media.  The reality is, no one is perfect--especially as an intern.  You are bound to make mistakes, but with a positive attitude and the right frame of mind, you can be pretty close.

Many of my media-related posts have touched upon the subject of unpaid interns in some way, shape or form.  While doing some research, I came across a post on thoughtcatalog.com entitled "6 Reasons Why Your Unpaid Internship Is Very Much Worth It."  For those of you unfamiliar with thoughtcatalog.com, the website is a digital magazine that allows people the opportunity to have their inner-most thoughts and feelings published on an online forum.  The media group that operates the website, The Thought & Expression LLC, believes "all thinking is relevant," that today's thoughts should be cataloged for tomorrow, and that our culture can be shaped by empowering individuals to share their ideas with the world.  I highly recommend you check the website out.  It is definitely a great place to read some motivational and inspirational pieces!  Each post makes really makes you "think" outside of the box--pun intended.

The author of the aforementioned post does a great job of outlining why internships shouldn't be all about making money.  While monetary compensation is an undeniably sweet perk to an internship gig, do not let it make or break your decision to accept the job.  While I won't spoil the entire article, I thought I would share one great reason (in my opinion AND the author's) why an unpaid internship is worth it:

Intern Profile: Rob King

Major/Minor: Sports Comm/Journalism major, Business minor

Previous internships: Lifetime Brands PR intern, Brooklyn Nets PR intern

How did you find your internships?

Lifetime Brands I found out about through my cousin because his good friend from high school is the PR manager at the company.

The Nets internship was a little different.  During my junior year fall semester there were campus visits from both the VP of PR and the Assistant General Manager of the Brooklyn Nets.  After speaking with them, I decided to look into a possible internship and later on figured that I may as well do Marist in Manhattan in the spring to make myself as available as i could to the team.

What new skills have you learned through your internship experience(s)?

Everything that I know about public relations has stemmed from my internships.  My internship with the Nets taught me all about the sports PR landscape.  I learned about game notes, interaction with media, looking up stats and much more.  The experiences that I had when I was a Nets intern were invaluable.

Describe a conflict or problem you faced as an intern, and how you coped with or found a solution to that problem.

I didn't have very many problems during my internship.  Everything really went smoothly because the people that I worked with were very friendly and understanding that I was an intern and still a college student.

What was your favorite part of your internship(s)?

Definitely working game nights.  I was fortunate enough to work the Nets' first round playoff series against the Chicago Bulls.  A close second would be working the 2013 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.

What did you find out about yourself after completing your first internship?  Did your career goals and/or aspirations shift or change?

The idea that I wanted to work in sports was reinforced, but I also learned that public relations is an avenue that I may go down.  I had previously been focused on broadcasting but now know that there are certainly some other options for me out there.

What advice do you have for new interns?

Do as many internships as humanly possible and do them in different areas.  The more experience, the better.  Also, don't be discouraged by the lack of pay, the experience is your pay in reality.

Rob at the 2013 NBA Draft!

The Dreaded Telephone

Arguably the worst part of being an intern is using the telephone.  To be perfectly honest, I never mastered the phone at my desk.  Sure, I knew the basics—primarily how to make a call and how to check my voicemail—but most days I just stared at it hoping it wouldn’t ring.  The manual to the machine was about the length of War and Peace, there were around 60 buttons outside of the number functions to learn, and the cord was always getting stuck and tangled under the papers on my desk.  

 

Me when the phone rings

Besides being uncomfortable working the phone, I was even more uncomfortable answering it.  Who would be on the other end of the line?  How do I answer the phone—do I say my name?  The company I’m from?  What is the proper etiquette here?  What if I had to actually place a call, or leave a voicemail for someone with an important message?

For those of you just as clueless about phone etiquette as I was, do not lose hope.  You can AND will learn the proper way to use this seemingly ancient tool in an office setting. To get you started, keep this advice in mind!

1)   Greetings—Unless instructed otherwise, answer the phone with an appropriate greeting.  For example, when answering the phone, I would say the following: “Good afternoon, this is Liz from XY Company, how can I help you?”  This greeting is also appropriate when making a call.  However, rather than asking how you can help the person you are calling, ask them if it is a good time for them to speak and then place your request.

2)   Tone and Conversation Tips—Even though your voice may be quivering with nerves, speak slowly clearly and with an appropriate tone of voice.  Speak softly enough so as not to disturb your office neighbors, but loudly enough that the person on the other end of the line can hear you.  Also, shutting off all distractions, such as the radio or computers, may help you focus on the conversation. 

3)   Taking Notes—For some of you, taking notes on a phone call may be a hindrance.  However, sometimes there is a lot of information to process on a telephone call or conference.  Of course, giving your full attention is key to understanding and interpreting the main message of the call.  Yet, do not be afraid to ask the caller/responder to repeat important information such as a phone number or email address so that you can write it down.

The source of all evil

4)   Leaving a Voicemail—Similar to answering a phone call, you should start your voicemail message by stating your name and company.  Then, explain your reason for calling and how quickly a response is needed.  Conclude the message by repeating your contact information and stating your availability.

5)   Managing Your Personal Voicemail-- 

      After flipping through your manual, learn how to set up your personal voicemail message.  When recording this message, make sure to include your name, company and title.  If applicable, state another phone number, such as a cell or mobile device, where you can be reached at for emergency situations.  Stay on top of your voicemail by checking your messages frequently.  People are more likely to return your phone calls if you return theirs in a timely fashion!