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.