By Erika Murphy |
Some students spent the summer running in their Nikes. Senior Stan Thompson spent his working as an intern for the company.
As one of 120 students, Thompson enjoyed activities such as Thirst Thursdays, when a department of Nike brought free beer and entertainment to its employees. Thompson was on the court with LeBron James and Kevin Durant for a dunking contest one such Thursday.
Working on three different projects, Thompson mastered a data visualization tool, presented to Nike employees and mentored high school students.
For other students looking to secure internships, it is best to begin searching three to six months prior, according to Academic Internship Coordinator Amanda Wheaton. Spring internships are now available, with opportunities for the summer soon approaching.
“Internships are really starting to become the new entry level job, particularly since the recession,” Wheaton said.
Career Services provides resources at every step of the process, but the aim is to empower students to take initiative themselves.
“No one is going to place you into a job.” Wheaton said. “We are all for empowerment and support and giving you the best tools.”
Wheaton recommends two simultaneous actions for students: figuring out the industry they would like to experience and networking.
Over the summer, senior Hannah Robinson secured an internship at HarperCollins, a major publishing house in New York City.
Robinson urges students to begin researching deadlines during their freshman year to ensure they are prepared as upperclassmen.
“I think a lot of people don’t apply because they don’t think they’re going to get an internship, and my advice would be to just apply anyway,” Robinson said. “If it’s something you’re truly passionate about, that’ll show.”
Conveying interest to professionals already in the industry is imperative, according to Wheaton. Networking could be the thing to land students an internship.
Service work is one way for all students to begin. The Moreau Center for Service and Leadership helps students get connected off campus.
Wheaton encourages students to let people they already know that they’re searching. Students can often get involved in faculty-led research projects, such as the Crab Lab for biology majors.
LinkedIn has a variety of groups, allowing students to introduce themselves directly to professionals in the field. “Pilots Guiding Pilots,” a University of Portland group, introduces students to alumni who have committed to enter into mentorships, Wheaton says.
Also online, College Central Network and subject-specific boards, including Mac’s List or Portland Creative List, allow students to talk with companies with positions already available.
Junior Sarah Barr found an internship through a friend of her dad’s, who works at a research lab - the very lab that engineered the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
As an intern, Barr worked with algae to create a biofuel alternative to oil purchased from the Middle East. Though Barr was not immediately drawn to the project, the process of exploration has led her closer to determining her career.
“I was like, ‘You know what? I’m just going to try it. It’s not what I want to go into, but I might as well.’” Barr said. “I ended up loving it, and now I’m highly considering working with bacteria the rest of my life!”
A showcase of her work is on the second floor of Swindells Hall.
Robinson had anxieties about, “uprooting her life (to New York).” But she doesn’t regret the decision. Robinson suggests that students be open to internships beyond their hometowns.
Wheaton advises students to ensure the internship is an actual learning experience and more than just grabbing coffee.
Career Services advocates paid internships.
“Nationally, studies show that if interns are paid, they have a higher conversion to employment,” Wheaton said.
Yet unpaid internships and those for academic credit offer students the opportunity to explore, build contacts and develop skills, according to Wheaton, all of which will serve as indirect preparation for a career.
Drop-In Hours
Monday - Wednesday: 2 p.m. - 4 p.m .
Thursday, Friday: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Upcoming Internship Fairs
Jan. 29: Career Service’s second and final fair of the year, in Franz Hall
Feb. 21: Science and Engineering Fair, tentatively in Shiley Hall
April 4: Liberal Arts Fair, in Chiles Center
Monthly Workshops
First Thursday: Intro. to Internships
Second Thursday: Resumes
Third Thursday: LinkedIn
Fourth Thursday: Networking Your Way to a Job or Internship
