Creating your dream internship from scratch

April 23, 9:32 AMEntry Level Careers ExaminerHeather Huhman

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Entry Level Careers Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

In every internship (or job) search, it’s always best to create a plan that identifies two or three ideal geographic locations and 10 “I would do anything to work there” organizations within each city. That way, you’re not blindly blasting out your résumé. But, what do you do if one or more of the organizations on your list doesn’t have formal a internship program? Propose one.

Perhaps not an entire program—just focus on yourself for now. The book “Total Internship Management: The Employer’s Guide to Building the Ultimate Internship Program” by Richard Bottner, president of Intern Bridge, Inc., would make a great read to start formulating ideas (plus it would make a great gift to the organization that takes you up on your offer down the road).

When contemplating a program, organizations should conduct internal audits to assure the internship is mutually beneficial, according to Bottner. (I agree!) So, while you can’t answer all the questions he puts forth because you are not yet an insider, researching a few of the key points and organizing the results in an expanded cover letter could get your foot in the door.

“Does my organization have meaningful work for interns to complete?” This is key—for both you and the employer. Research the organization; its products, services and clients; and what it’s currently doing (or not doing) where you might be able to help. From that, write up a position description—example projects and activities, the department(s) in which you would work and potentially to whom you might report.

“What should the duration of individual internships be?” Typically, internships last approximately 12 weeks, but you can outline in your cover letter the exact timeframe you are available. Be sure to also include the number of hours each week you would be available—possibly even a suggested schedule (i.e., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays). 

“Will my organization be able to afford to pay a salary to interns? If so, how much? What remuneration, instead of salary can we provide?” If an organization does not already have an established internship program, I wouldn’t get your hopes up for the position to be paid. However, Bottner raises a number of good alternative compensation ideas:

• Free/subsidized parking
• Discounted/free organization merchandise or services
• Transportation stipend
• Fitness center membership
• Meal allowance
• Sporting event/theater tickets
• Partial/complete housing/relocation assistance
• Commission on sales (when applicable)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Opportunity to attend professional development seminars/workshops
• Offsite organization functions

So, how should you approach the organization with your ideas? “The proposal can simply be an expanded cover letter along with your résumé,” said Shane Mazzella, director of U.S. programs at The Fund for American Studies. “In the cover letter, describe your qualifications and desired internship parameters such as available dates, number of hours each week, department of interest and compensation—an unpaid internship is always easier secure. Be sure to stress how you can add value to that specific department as well as the overall organization.”

Mazella recommends e-mailing as a PDF attachment (or snail mailing) both your résumé and expanded cover letter. 

And, just like you typically would when submitting an internship application, follow-up! (Read my article about following up on a job application for some ideas.) Mazella also adds you should “be prepared with a 60-second elevator pitch of your proposal.”

As an employer, I would be floored by the amount of thought you’ve put into the needs of my organization and how you would be a value-add to my team. Is it possible to take this idea one step even further?

“Consider creating a legacy once you have the internship by proposing an established program or role,” said Mazella. “Start by noting ways of formalizing the internship, note tasks and projects that can be delegated just to interns, identify departments or areas where interns can be of assistance and suggest means of growing it into a program that you can pitch to key decision-makers. Be sure, though, that you are not neglecting your own internship work in this process. Your actions and behavior are more convincing than a nice proposal and big speech.”