Getting an internship

[lost-and-found]

Allright, it's time to look for a summer internship/job, or that's at least what my parents tell me .

I'm a Computer Engineering major but haven't really taken any core classes (I'm in ECE 204 right now). I've done web-design, computer repair, food-sales (MC Donald's), and did a lot of stuff for a family store.

I really don't want to do any more food jobs. I want a job or an internship in my field, but I fear I dont' know enough, since I still didnt' do a lot of ECE courses.

Any ideas?

[JPWRana]

eww!!! you worked at McDonalds??!!?! I'm so sorry dude.

btw, r u a guy or girl? i can't tell by your being in the forums, or by the avatar.

[lost-and-found]

I'm an all out Male .

[JPWRana]

then y the girl avatar?!!? you seriously got me confused ever since i saw that avatar.

[zoedragon]

A lot of guys have female avatars in other forums because it's a person they would love to hook up with. I haven't met anyone yet who actually uses their own photo as an avatar.

But back to the subject of internships, you won't have much trouble finding internships if they want your to work for free. They believe "experience is its own reward" and won't be so choosy. However paid interships are much harder to find and probably a lot like finding a regular job. I'm not exactly sure where a good place to look is, but I've seen some intern/trainee postings in Monster.com. Sites that specialize in post-college jobs may also be a good place to look, I don't know of any off-hand, but I think some job sites may have categories similar to that.

I found an unpaid internship for a nephew of mine (who's interested in becoming a chef but is still in high school) by directly emailing the head of a local small cooking school and asking if she would be interested in taking on a young apprentice. She said yes, and now he helps out over there every other Saturday. It's slave labor but he's learning stuff and it'll look good on his applications to chef schools and his resume later on.

[JPWRana]

i got mine at the engineering job fair... it's paid too!!! XCELENT FLEXIBLE HOURS!!!

[zoedragon]

Oh yes, I forgot about job fairs. It's an excellent place to look because everyone presenting there is looking for someone. And because they're recruiting on campus, they are looking for someone with the qualifications of a student, not a professional. You won't have to worry too much about your level of experience. Most college students have very little.

[SuperMegStar]

CPP Career Center, Job Fairs, or talk to Larry Hinkle in the ENG dept. He knows where to find jobs!

[sflasocal]

Career fairs are great. I'm not sure how your school is (i'm transferring to CPP in the fall), but my current school has an entire Career Resource Center dedicated to helping people get internships. I know companies such as Boeing hire interns and co-ops each year to students in their third year or above with good GPA's. My boyfriend had an internship with them which turned into a full-time offer after he graduates.

Also, don't be afraid to work for a small company from your hometown or something. Often smaller companies let you do more of the "real work" than larger companies. That and you won't be as bogged down with the paperwork which often comes with larger companies. My first internship was with a small civil engineering firm (5 total employees) and it really rocked!

Talk to your prof's or the advisors for any engineering organizations you may be involved with. They may have some sort of connections. Or their own career fairs (our SWE has a special "Night with Industry" each year where you can meet recruiters from companies informally).

Go to career fair and meet the recruiters. Even if they don't want to give you an offer, they're likely to remember you later. Someday they may remember your name or face and want to hire you the second you walk up to their booth! (ok, a bit of an exaggeration there).

Wow. Long post. Sorry!

[lost-and-found]

Wow, thanks to all of you for the info. Off to the career center I go, have to get my resumee checked by them .

Yes, that avatar is Beverly Mitchell, teh gal from 7th heaven. I used to like her back when I joined (nov 2003) and I've been too lazy to change my avatar ever since.

[JPWRana]

i work for a semi big company and it sux cuz it limits ur creativity... i've been wanting 2 implement big things, but 1) i have to talk to accounting 2) how we gonna train the members 3) more work for everyone 4) blah blah

working for a small place I HIGHLY recommend.... they're more personal also, so no "laws" or "rules" cuz the owner of the shop can make his own rules

[zoedragon]

Oh heck yeah, small companies are awesome for starting out. Room to grow, and like someone else said, you get to do relavent work. Large corporations tend to give interns the shitwork that no one else wants to do, like filing and organizing stuff. I actually spent 7 years at a small company, starting as a trainee and growing into different roles.

[Admin]

Originally Posted by SuperMegStar

CPP Career Center, Job Fairs, or talk to Larry Hinkle in the ENG dept. He knows where to find jobs!

Does Larry Hinkle help you find English-related jobs or all jobs (accounting, engineering, graphic design, etc.)?