Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Going Green Internships

GOING GREEN, internees!
Since the country is pushing the green scene, (and my best friend is an advocate for going green!) I am offering advice on green internships.
Considering I have little knowledge of this "green scene", I am gathering advice from the best and providing it to you, my little environmental internees!

Here are a few sites to visit when searching for a green internship!
GreenDaily.com - Ellen Slattery writes an article "Want a Green Internship". It offers advice on leadership programs for green peeps!
GreenAmericaToday.org - They offer, like Monster.com, a list of job/intern opportunities. They also include volunteering!
GreenOptions.com - Green Options gives tips on finding green internships!
Drexel University - They have a list of PAID, green internships for the summer!

Need more information on the "green scene"? Check out a few of these other websites!
The Big Green Internship Book
API/Exxon Mobile Environmental Internships
GreenForAll
GreenCorps

Also, read up on your "green scene" internships with articles all about them!
How green internships are a win-win.
Washington Internship Institute on green internships.
Summer Interns Green Fortune 500 Companies.

The green scene needs you! And if you're interested in environmental internships, you should definitely check out these sites and articles to help you in finding the perfect green internship.

Happy green interning!
Love, Alice

What are Employers Looking For in Interns?

Good afternoon, Internees!
If you're looking for a spring semester internship, you're probably on the lookout for job/intern openings. You've checked Monster, LinkedIn, all over. You know what the description of the internship says but you're unsure of what the employers are really looking for. How do you know what an employer is looking for in an intern?

For starters, you'll want to read up. Explore Baltimore County's Catonsville Times recently posted an article on employers receiving education on hiring interns. Check out what employers are reading up on, find articles about hiring interns and what to do with them. Google.com is always a great place to look. Click the news tab on the upper left hand corner!

After you've checked out what the news is saying, take a look at other sites. The Internet is WONDERFUL.

Research, research, research! You'll have to do it at your internship, so you should start now! Researching what your employer/employers are looking for offers you a foot up when it comes to walking into an interview. Really look into what tips employers are taking in hiring interns.

Best tip: If you know where you might be interning, check out the company's website and their careers tab. You'll often find a list of what employers are looking for in employees. Research them! (Then you will know what their company stands for as well!)

Happy interning!

Love, Alice

5 More Things to Know About Interning

Here is the second list of Intern Alice's 5 More Things to Know About Interning!
  1. Make sure you're getting college credit! - An internship is great, but without college credit (or pay), you're offering free labor to the company. It is your choice to stick around longer, if the internship is offering great experience, however, keep in mind that they are getting free work out of you! (And everyone is looking for free work these days!)
  2. EXPLORE! - Sit in on group projects, even if you're not in your department; Observe how the "big-wigs" work, watch how they interact with others; Check out how their computer programs work! Don't be afraid to explore how the company works, it will help you to gain experience and knowledge of the in's and out's.
  3. Ask for a reference! - Make sure that before your final days at your internship, you ask for a reference. As EverydayPublicRelations points out, you should not expect to get a letter of recommendation in the mail. Don't be afraid to ask for one!
  4. Phone calls - Don't be afraid to ask for guidance when it comes to making phone calls. There's no shame in using a script when calling people!
  5. Be memorable! - Check out Ithaca College's "How to Be a Memorable Mentor" and be awesome!

Remember, use common sense, smile, and always arrive on time! Need more helpful hints on interning? Leave a message and Intern Alice will be glad to answer all of your questions!

Happy Interning!

Love, Alice

Monday, November 2, 2009

The First 5 Things to Know About Interning

Internees, you have learned the fashion, the behavior, and most importantly the do's and don'ts of internships. But what about those little tips you may need to know? Those questions you think are silly so you refuse to ask? Da-da-daaaaaaah! I give you:

Intern Alice's Five Things You Should Know About Interning
(No matter where you are, these probably apply!)

  1. Know Your Company - Is there a mission statement? A set of goals your company has? Rules and regulations? If they have clients, know your clients! Know it all! When you go into a meeting on the first day and shock your boss because you've done you're homework and read up on their clients, it'll be a great feeling. You can thank me later.
  2. Bring a sweater! - You're office is probably cold and according to BNET, studies have shown that this could affect your productivity.
  3. Your opinion does matter! - If you're brainstorming in a meeting, don't be afraid to put in your two cents! No matter how outrageous your idea may be, it is always worth offering to the group!
  4. Become familiar with your building - Some corporate buildings are like mazes others are tiny! You'll want to make sure you know your way around. (Especially where the bathroom is!!)
  5. Always write down your passwords! - Write down and keep all your passwords in a safe place and keep them together, just in case you ever forget them. If you're in charge of social media, make sure you alert the other employees who may be using the sites. Plus, you will probably get a password to get on the company's site and that you will not want to forget.

Seem like common sense? Make sure to write down those passwords, bring sweaters, and don't be afraid to put in your two cents! Keep your eyes peeled for the second list of things you should know about interning, coming soon!

Happy Interning!

Love, Alice


Internship Success Stories!

Good morning, internees!
As we have learned, sometimes internships can be difficult, whether you figure out you don't like the career choice or your co-workers aren't nice. However, there are PLENTY of instances where interns have had some amazing success stories! Instead of sharing my stories with you (some of which you already know!), here are some examples of fabulous internship experiences throughout the country!

(Just think, this could be you!!)


  • University of Tennessee's Jasmine Davis worked on The Late Show with David Letterman.

  • Grand Valley State University's Alyssa Ruedisueli interned for Oscar de la Renta in New York.

  • UC Santa Cruz's Jenny Jiang has worked with a variety of top law firms.

  • UNC- Charlotte's Levonda Norman interned for (then) Senator Barack Obama.

  • American University's Emily Creveling found what she was passionate about with her internship.

  • BusinessWeek has featured multiple Intern Success Stories!

  • Read about IMPACT 2007's Intern of the Year Award (PDF). (Maybe you are eligible to apply!)

And there are countless other students who have posted their success story, spoke to a class, or were interviewed for their school paper.


The great thing about a successful internship, whether it was a cake-walk or rough and tumble, is you are able to share your experiences with others. This is extremely helpful for the many students who are unsure if an internship is right for them. You have the ability to help guide them, let them know what they are in for, and give them tips and pointers, just as I am doing for you! So, not only you are benefited by the experience, but you allow others to benefit too.


This means...


Happy internees and pre-internees! (And one happy Alice as well.)

In other words, your internship may be good or bad or just plain ugly, but the experiences you gain don't just help you! They help those "pre-internees" who are in need of guidance! (Yes, you can call them internees, I will allow it.) So share! After your internship tell your success story and be a mentor to someone who wants to intern!

Happy interning!

Love, Alice