Posts tagged ‘Tracey’s angle’
Tracey’s Angle – Virtual Internships
In the age of cyber communities, it’s no surprise that companies have started to higher virtual interns. From my personal experience as a virtual intern, I have learned that now a days, what you do at work, you can definitely do at home. Emailing, instant messaging, and social networking sites make it extremely easy to complete the tasks that you would in the office at home.
My internship with Internships.com began this summer, and I worked full-time in the office. I loved all that I did, and I knew that leaving would be difficult. My Fall semester began at the end of August, and by July, my supervisors and I had already decided that I would be continuing my internship, but it would turn into a virtual internship.
Before begin the virtual internship, my supervisors and I sat down to discuss the terms of the internship. We took a close look at my class and school work schedule, and created time slots that I would be working from home. We wanted to created slots that were set in stone so that I would be reachable to the office. About fifteen hours were set up, with a bit of flexibility on these hours due to things that may come up. After about three or four weeks into the semester, I began to realize that these hours were not going to work consistently with my schedule. I talked it over with my supervisors, and they agreed to make the slots more flexible. I ended up working on my projects whenever I could. Instead of working every day, all of my projects had deadlines, and I got them done by these deadlines. I found that working within this system, I was far more productive, and I got things done in a timely fashion.
As a college student, my time is extremely limited. I am the Vice-President of an on-campus club, I have got two on-campus jobs, and not to mention a full load of classes and homework. Having virtual internship allowed me to still take advantage of this opportunity, and not fall behind in all of my classes. Internships.com has got tons of virtual internships posted on their site. Check them out!
Adios,
Tracey L.
Tracey’s Angle – PSA for Upperclassmen!
The following is a public service announcement.
So, you’re a senior or Junior and you have never had an internship…well get on it! From what I have learned from speaking to employers and my peers, not having at least one internship under your belt before you start your job search is no longer an option. It’s time to roll up your sleeves, go to internships.com, and start your internship search! Don’t let your peers leave you in the dust…it’s time to start your life! The following are a few links to help get you started…
Time is ticking, and it won’t stop anytime soon! Start your search!
Adios,
Tracey L.
Tracey’s Angle- My professional New Year’s Resolutions
With 2010 slipping away from me, I’m starting to think about what 2011 will be like. This post is an attempt to figure out what I expect out of myself in 2011, and to set my professional goals/New Year’s resolutions for the 2011 year. First a recap…
In 2010, I finished off my Sophomore year in college with above a 3.0 grade point average, was elected Black Student Union Vice-President on my campus, and I got an internship for the summer, and started in May. The internship went so well that the company opted to keep me for the Fall semester as well! Currently, I am still working with the company, internships.com, and I am loving it! Although this year was great, and full of amazing opportunities and accomplishments, I am pushing for 2011 to be even better! Here are my New Year’s professional resolutions for the year 2011…
Strengthen relationship with my mentor: I value the knowledge and advice that my mentor offers me, and I think that next year his advice and wisdom is going to be extremely critical for me to consider. He’s been through what I am going to be going through, and I trust him to not steer me in the wrong direction.
4.0 Spring 2011 semester: This is self explanatory! I don’t plan on slacking off at all next year. The word procrastination is officially erased out of my vocabulary.
Acquire a branding or sports related internship: Having had internships focused in the primary aspects of marketing and branding, I want my next marketing internship to be centered in a field that I am passionate about- sports, particularly basketball, being this desired field.
Build relationships with a few target companies: I consider my Junior year to be my premiere networking year. Already I have built relationships with people in high places all over the country, and I don’t plan on slowing down in 2011. I want to kick my networking gear into overdrive, and build the relationships with professionals that I am going to have for the rest of my life.
4.0 Fall 2011 Semester: Again, procrastination no longer exists for me. The Fall 2011 semester will be the first semester of my Senior year, and because I want to go to Graduate school, having a great grade point average is extremely important.
Begin the job search: I have never been one to be behind the curve. My job search will begin my senior year. Upon my graduation, I plan on having the job that is going to kick off my career for at least a few months, so the job search has got to begin early.
I am so excited for 2011, and I cannot wait to get started on accomplishing all of my professional goals. Happy New Year everyone!
Adios,
Tracey L.
Tracey’s Angle – Adios “Winternship”
Bittersweet news everyone…my Winternship is coming to a close, and I’ll be out of here next week. I have a great time working in the office these past few weeks, and I’m going to really miss being around the internships.com crew every day. They’ve kept me busy throughout this entire Winter season, and this last week is no different.
I’ve got two or three key projects that I am working on that I really need to get done before I leave. I’m not too stressed out about it, but I am aware of the sense of urgency in which this situation faces. In this case, slow and steady doesn’t win the race…it’s all about being efficient and steady! I think that I’m going to ask my supervisor for a little help to ease the slack off of my shoulders (I can use her help anyway, and I’m definitely not ashamed to ask).
On top of finishing up these projects, I really want to be able to talk to a few people before I leave. For me, building relationships and networks with your co-workers and supervisors/bosses is extremely important. I don’t want to leave here not knowing anything about anyone I worked with. Most likely, I’ll be asking these individuals about their experiences getting to their current positions, what they studied in college, and I’ll probably also get their contact info so that I can email or call them when I have a question or need help with something in the future.
It seems like there’s so much to do before I leave…hopefully I get it all done! Until next time all…
Adios,
Tracey L.
Tracey’s Angle: Holidays in the office
There is nothing like the holiday season. Hot chocolate, nights by the fireplace, and candy canes for everyone! People just seem to be in a more giving mood, and holiday music seems to follow us everywhere we go. My experience at work has been no different. As an intern for Internships.com, I am proud of the holiday spirit that this team possesses.
I enjoy walking into work, and hearing Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” coming from the cubicle across from me. The various candy canes and chocolates in the candy dishes all over the office, and the hot chocolate in the kitchen makes the office feel a bit more like home. Although this is all true, obviously, this environment is still very much work oriented.
Seeing as I am currently on winter vacation, I’m starting to really take note of the differences between the celebrations of the holiday season at school and in the office. At school, the holiday season is a signifier of the finals season, and students are stressed out. In my personal experiences, the departments on my campus have all done a great job decorating the campus, and hosting events that ease our nerves, and thrust us into the holiday spirit. The dorms on campus are typically decorated, and residence advisors always have their doors open offering help and holiday treats. This is similar to the office kitchen; there are always freshly baked cookies, cakes, and pies waiting for my co-workers and I on the kitchen counter.
During the holiday season, my work days seem more joyous, and the days pass by quickly. Enough talk about the holidays, I’ve got to get back to work. Happy Holidays everyone!
Share your office holiday stories and experiences with me! Send all responses to internangle@gmail.com, or leave me a comment!
Adios,
Tracey L.
Tracey’s Angle: Overloaded schedule?
Take it from the girl with a full load of classes, three jobs, and an internship: overloading your schedule is a “no no”. Like I have mentioned in the past, my schedule is jam-packed but it’s also very organized. The conflict with overloading your schedule is that initial freak out that you are eventually going to have about there not being enough hours in the day to do everything. This conflict can be extremely draining and stressful—try to avoid it!
When adding things to your schedule, always take into account that there are only twenty-four hours in a day BUT 6-8 hours of these hours should be dedicated to sleep. Emphasis on should. As a college student, this tough. I don’t know any of my friends who sleep 8 hours, as we are often cranking out 16-20 hour days. Take it from me: don’t cut into your sleep time! It makes you less productive during the hours you’re awake.
Leisure time is also necessary. Sometimes I have so much work to do that the thought of leisure time feels so stressful because I am aware of everything that’s on my to-do list. I try to fill this time with exercise, watching my favorite television shows and spending time with friends. During this time, I try to steer totally clear of my to-do lists. Overloading your schedule can sometimes result in the elimination of leisure time—but like sleep, it’s important to keep this in there, too.
Time management can be the difference between having a chaotic overloaded schedule and having one that is merely busy, but organized. It’s been proven that a sense of scheduled structure is extremely beneficial when dealing with a packed schedule, but the secret is to not take on more than you can chew in the first place, and you should be okay :]
Adios,
Tracey L.
Tracey’s Angle: How to keep your resume updated
Your resume is the premier document that sums up who you are as an employee, and what you have done. Typically, it is the first thing that an employer sees when you apply to an internship and/or job. Keeping your resume updated regularly does not need to be a bothersome task.
Have you looked at your objective statement lately? Pick apart your objective statement, and make sure that it lists all new skills and attributes that you’ve acquired since your resume was last updated.
If your resume is missing internships or jobs that you’ve had, be sure to add those as soon as possible! After all, every real world work experience that you’ve had assisted in developing who you are today. Letting potential employers know about these positions can assist them in making a decision whether or not to hire you.
Also, your resume should keep industry-specific jargon constantly updated. Employers like to see that you know what you’re talking about, and inputting buzzwords that are specific to their industry can be helpful in letting employers know that you do.
Always remember, you can never edit your resume too much. Having your friends, professors, and others check your resume for clarity, grammatical errors, and spelling mistakes will always improve your resume. Also, making sure that the dates listed on your resume are coherent and correct is very important.
Simply put, as soon as you acquire a new skill or a new position, update your resume with said skill and/or position.
Until next time, adios!
Best,
Tracey L.
Tracey’s Angle: How to ask for referrals or recommendation letters
Letters of recommendation and referrals can be crucial components of any sort of application. This is why asking the right person to write it, and asking them properly is extremely important. Here are a few things to consider when choosing your recommender…
First, ask , who knows you well?
- Professor
- Mentor
- Supervisor/Manager
- Close friend
Next, consider which of these people would be willing to write your letter.
After you’ve decided who you want to write your letter of recommendation or referral, it’s time to ask him or her to write it. Consider the following before you ask for this favor.
- Don’t ask, “Can you write a letter?” instead ask “Do you feel like you could be able to write a letter of recommendation for my…”
- Give him or her ample amount of time to complete the letter or referral by its due date. When it comes to a task like this, rushing to get it done can be detrimental to the quality.
- Make sure to let the recommender know who they are addressing the letter to, and what opportunity you are seeking.
- Be sure to give him or her basic information about you. You wouldn’t want them to write something in your letter that isn’t true.
- It is okay to take no for an answer. If he or she does not want to write your letter, they don’t have to. Remember, they’re doing you a favor.
A good recommendation letter or referral all depends on the relationship between you and whom you choose to write it. Be careful with your decision, and it should turn out well!
Until next time, adios!
Best,
Tracey L.
Tracey’s Angle: How to plan for your summer internship NOW
Hey all!
If you consider yourself to be a planner like I do, then you’ve already started to think about what you plan on doing next summer. If you aren’t thinking ahead of time, then I suggest that you should! Before you know it, the fall semester will be over, and the Spring semester will be well under way. Now whether you plan on studying abroad over the summer, going to summer school, or spending your afternoons by the pool or at the beach, you can still make a summer internship a part of your experience. Here are a few ways how…
Study Abroad? Experiencing the culture of another country for a long period of time is exciting, and can be a valuable experience in your journey of self-development. Just imagine interning in another country with a company in the field of your choice. International job experience will give you a first hard look into the operations of a specific job field wherever you are. Start your internship search with your school’s study abroad program, and ask if they’re aware of any internships available where you’re going. Then search online for open opportunities and let those companies know who you are, and that you will be there studying over the summer and will be applying soon.
Going to summer school? Understandably, you’re probably going to be busy taking classes next summer, and that will take up most of your time but what will you be doing during your free time? Fill that time with internship experience, and get more out of your summer! The beauty of planning ahead is that you can map out your time effectively. If an internship requires you to be available 2 or 3 days a week, then you can take classes on alternate days. Multitasking next summer will be the key task for you, and managing your time wisely will help you execute your work successfully.
Relaxing by the pool? Let’s face it, you’re been working your butt off all school year, and the time for relaxation is well deserved, but what will you do with the excess amount of free time? Start searching companies that you’re really interested in interning with, and investigate ways to make them aware of your presence. By attending a few of their workshops, or making them aware of your interest in them early, when the time comes to apply for an internship position they may be more inclined to offer you a position.
All in all, relaxing is cool, but make it the most out of your time and intern next summer!
Adios,
Tracey L.
Tracey’s Angle: How to juggle an internship and your midterm exams
Attention college students- It’s about that time of the year again…midterm season. Every academic year, around the middle of the semester, or quarter, college students everywhere are bombarded with an overwhelming amount of pressure to do well on midterm exams and papers. On top of this stressful chain of occasions, they must also continue to perform well at any internship(s) that they may have!
Often times around this time of year, I find myself wondering how I’m going to fit in three times more of the study time into my currently jam packed schedule. Before I was introduced to the beauty of time management, I would have said that packing in more study time was impossible, and that there aren’t enough hours in a day. Here are a few tips to manage your time wisely…
- Buy a planner/agenda! Having a book to write down all of your homework, meetings, work schedule, etc. can make it easy to stay organized.
- ite it down! Once you receive all of your syllabi for your classes, write down every exam, quiz, and due date for assignments in your agenda/planner. Knowing what you have to do ahead of time will help eliminate your probably consistent pattern of procrastination.
- Set phone alarms! For all of those who are addicted to their phones, try inputting important exam and term paper dates as reminders in your cell phone. Set the alarm for a week or two before the exam or paper is due, and you’ll be reminding to start writing it, or to start studying.
- Let your internship or job know that it’s exam season! In most cases, you’re the company that you intern with will know that you’re in college. If they are understanding (let’s hope that they are) they’ll appreciate you letting them know that exam season has shifted your focus, and that you may need to cut down the amount of hours that you dedicate to the job for a few weeks, or that you have to pass a task to someone else. You’d be surprised by what simply letting your job know about this stressful time can do for you.
Midterm season may be rough, but with a little help from your organizer and your internship, you’ll be sure to ace those tests and papers as they come!
Until next time, adios!
Best,
Tracey L.
Eye of the Intern 