The Foreign Service Journal, December 2003

100 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 3 S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT Getting an Internship: Some Tips Internships are the best way to get real job experience and to start figuring out what you want to do professionally. Even if you don’t yet know what field you are going into, an intern- ship can be a great experience, and maybe help you to figure it out. Here, briefly, are some tools and tips to make the process as easy and painless as possible, from someone who has just done it. (For more detail, you may want to consult “An Internship Can Open Many Doors,” by Tanja Trenz, in the June 2002 FSJ .) First things first: figure out what you’re interested in and how to pursue it. Find out which companies dominate the field, or which organizations support your specific interests. Research is crucial in every step of the process; the more you know the better. Simple as it sounds, most companies and organizations list their internships on their Web sites, usually under “employment” or “vacancies.” If you are in school, there is probably a career office or similar service on campus, and often they can put you in touch with alumni who are in posi- tions that might interest you. If you don’t have a professional field in mind, or don’t know much about the job market in that field, start with a Web site like MonsterTrak.com ( www. monstertrak.com ). The main attraction is a database of companies looking for interns in fields from accounting to waste management and everything in-between. The site has a number of other useful features, including a major-to-career converter, a resumé center and a virtual interview program, to help out with the all-important application process. Begin applying for positions early, at least two to four months before you hope to start; longer if you’re looking for a government position that requires a security clearance or background check, as nearly all do. Ask people you know whether they know of an opening or opportunity; they’ll often be glad to help. Apply for more than one position; even if you have your heart set on one or think you’re a shoo-in, it’s always good to have a backup plan. Good luck! — Aster Grahn Aster Grahn, a student at McDaniel College, was the Journal’s summer 2003 editorial intern.