HOW TO GET A HEADSTART ON LANDING YOUR DREAM JOB
Are you the type of student that can’t wait until summer so you can hang out with your friends and take a much-needed break? Or are you on the hunt for an internship related to your area of interest, giving you an edge over classmates after graduation?
An internship can offer valuable insight into a possible future in your field of study. It’s an opportunity to learn more about the field from the inside and gage your interest without the risk of a full-time commitment. Internships typically only last a few months, but they provide a chance to develop valuable skills and show prospective employers you are serious about your career.
“Internship experiences truly give students a leg up,” says Zack Spero, a former architectural graduate student who joined Quorum full-time in June. “I would encourage any aspiring architect to attain real world experience - be bold, build relationships and work hard.”
Assuming you decide to pursue a permanent position in the same field of work after your internship, you’ll be ahead of the game because you have practical experience in the field and a relationship with a potential employer.
“Many of us love teaching interns – especially those who express an interest in learning,” according to David Duman, Principal at Quorum Architects. “Our two most recent hires were both former summer interns.”
“I would encourage any aspiring architect to attain real world experience - be bold, build relationships and work hard.”
From the company’s point of view, it’s an opportunity to evaluate your performance as a candidate for full-time employment – a two-month trial period gives them a chance to evaluate your fit for the organization in a far better way than the standard interview process. And consider how much more you’ll enjoy your last semester with a job offer in hand.
Karin Taylor, Quorum Principal and Director of Interior Design says, “We want to make sure that the intern will get the most out of their experience and ensure that the partners or project managers are willing and able to mentor those individuals.”
Do your homework before accepting an internship. Ask about the firm’s expectations of their interns. Some companies think of interns as nothing more than an office “go-fer” for the summer. Ask how many current staff members were interns with the company before being hired.
Summer internships benefit both students and employers and ultimately provide an advantage over others considering employment in the same field. Internships can open opportunities in places where you might not be willing to go for a permanent position, like a foreign country or out-of-state. Companies have usually lined up their summer interns by the end of winter break, so don’t wait until spring to look for a summer internship.
““...assume the mindset of a ‘humble sponge’ because
there is so much knowledge and information that you
won’t know...”
“Internships expose you to different types of work environments and cultures,” explains former intern Molly Shurtz, who accepted a full-time position with Quorum before graduating this spring. “During my internship at Quorum, I could tell that the culture was family-oriented and the leadership and staff valued a healthy work-life balance. This was extremely important to me.”
Molly recommends that student interns “assume the mindset of a ‘humble sponge’ because there is so much knowledge and information that you won’t know, and it’s your job to soak it all in. Never be afraid to ask questions because you’re there to learn!”
If you want to have more and better job prospects upon graduation, line up internships for your summer breaks and get a head start on finding your dream job.
To learn more about internship opportunities at Quorum, contact David Duman or Karin Taylor.