This is a guest post from our campus ambassador Andrea Teggart from Ohio University.

Hopefully this list gets you excited for your internship and fabulous summer in DC! I also found this post: ”Fun Under Age 21: A Guide to 21 Things To Do in Washington”. That will give you even more ideas and suggestions for making this summer an absolutely amazing time. Enjoy!

This is a guest blog by our campus ambassador Kayla Stevens from University of South Florida.

Anyone who is studying public relations, advertising, graphic design or any of the alike subjects, already knows that social media is a core part of our growing generation. While we might know the most popular social networks of today’s industry (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn), not everyone knows how they came to be.

This semester I came across four books that I have found to be pretty inspiring. Not only do they elaborate on how companies such as Google and Twitter came about, but they also discuss how these networks fit into our every day life.

1. Grown Up Digital by Don Tapscott
2. Googled by Ken Auletta
3. Twitterville by Shel Israel
4. The Facebook Effect by David Kirkpatrick

If you’ve read any of these books, which one(s) did you enjoy?

This is a guest post by our campus ambassador Alyssa Markowitz from Simmons College.

When I started college, I heard a lot of different things from many different people. But I didn’t have an older sibling or a close friend who was at the time a senior in college. I braved it out on my own and learned for myself. But now as I complete my senior year in college and I look back on the last four years wondering would I have done anything different. And the truth is I would. So here are the top ten things I wish that a senior had told me when I was a freshman.

1. Get Involved

It took me until my senior year to become involved in organizations and I love it. I wish I had more time and had explored more options. I attend a small school but even if you go to a big school you’ll thank yourself for joining at least one club or organization!

2. Work on Campus

I have had an on-campus job for three years in the Office of Undergraduate Admission and it’s fantastic! They work with your school schedule, you don’t have to travel to a place between classes and you build great skills that you’ll be able to use after college. So even if you take a job that’s only a couple of hours a week it’s totally worth it!

3. Go to Events

Events on campus are probably the biggest thing I regret not going to. Although some of them might seem lame, the secret to events is that there is ALWAYS free stuff there. Whether it be free food, a pen or a grab bag of items go to get the stuff and you can always leave. But who knows you may enjoy it!

4. Network, Network, Network

This is something I wish I had learned two years sooner. Networking is probably the most important skill you will take away from college. When there is a networking event offered at your school, go because it is always worth your while. And I know social networking is big right now but to get a job it is always advantageous to get in some old school networking!

5. Explore Your Interests

This might seem like an obvious one but it’s important that you make sure to try everything you might think you’d ever want to do. This doesn’t even specifically mean academically either. For example, I have always loved to sing and my school has both a choir and an a-capella group and I am so mad I missed my window of opportunity to join either.

6. Take at least 1 fun class a semester

This is for your sanity. If you take a semester full of work heavy, hard classes you will go insane and chances are you will end up doing poorly. It’s always good to incorporate a lighter class into your schedule.

7. Make it a point to know your professors

Even if you go to a big school it is always good to know your professors. If your professors connect with you or at least know your name and face they are more likely to help you when you need it. Whether you are struggling in the course or your need a recommendation for graduate school or a job they will be open to helping you out if you take the time to know them.

8. Look Ahead

Although as a freshman or a sophomore it may seem like you have a ton of time until graduation, it’s not true it’s much sooner than you think. Remember back to high school, how fast those four years flew by, well it’s the same amount of time and the older you get the faster time passes. So plan ahead, whether it be the classes you are going to take, the jobs you plan to have or your plans for after graduation. I really wish someone had explained this to me.

9. Get Internships, Early and Often

I know this is echoing the Intern Queen herself but I truly do belief this. Because the more work experience you have the better off you will be after graduation. Additionally it will give you a chance to see what you like about certain work environments and what you don’t like. Internships are just another part of your education so take advantage of them while you can!

10.     Have Fun

Now I know this is not a hard concept for most college students, but it’s important that you make time for all of the things I mentioned and balance it with the fun. Going to college is about getting an education but it’s important to remember that all of the learning doesn’t happen in the classroom!

This is a guest post by our campus ambassador Chandra Robrock from Florida State University.

This summer, I landed an amazing fashion PR internship in New York City thanks to Intern Queen Inc. Although I worked hard for the past year in order to gain relevant experience, I learned several valuable tips thanks to Lauren Berger & other knowledgeable sources which really made landing a summer internship in New York a piece of cake.

1. THE COVER LETTER – We all know the basics of what should go in a cover letter – a brief introduction, overview of your experience, why you want to intern with this company, what you bring to the table, etc. If you are planning to intern in a different state, you MUST mention that in your cover letter. Let the employer know that you WILL be relocating to where this company is located & include dates. This connects the dots for the employer so there is no confusion as to why you are applying to their company when you live nowhere near them.

2. THE FOLLOW UP – Last year, when I was on the internship search, I never followed up with companies that I sent out resumes to. HUGE mistake. Although it may seem like you are bothering them, a brief follow up highlighting your interest in interning for their company shows that you are serious about this opportunity & eager to learn. Of course, following up does not guarantee an internship (nor does it guarantee a response), when I followed up with companies I heard back from nearly all of them. Several of them stated that they wouldn’t be interviewing for a couple of months so they asked that I email them closer to that date to set something up.

3. THE THANK YOU NOTE – This is a crucial step that should not be forgotten. If possible, send a hand written note to the employer but if you have no other way of contacting them, send a formal & polite email.  Try to make this thank you note as personal as possible by referencing your conversation and reinforcing your interest in their company. The thank you note shows that you are appreciative of their time & willing to go that extra step in order to impress them.

4. STAY ORGANIZED! – If you are applying to several different internship opportunities, you can easily get carried away. My best advice for you would be to create an Excel document which keeps track of which companies you sent your resume to, the contact’s name/email address, the date you sent your resume out & the date you followed up (if applicable). I would also keep track of their responses so you know whether or not they are interested.

I hope these tips find you well! Good luck for all of you that are currently searching for that perfect internship!

This is a guest post by our campus ambassador Alicia Valko from Towson University.

Perhaps it’s because I live and breathe PR, but I believe that everyone is essentially a brand. Did you know that the word “brand” started out as a way to identify livestock? Today, a “brand” is an identity; it gives the product or company a personality that distinguishes it from competitors. In business terms, a brand is a specific product, service, or company that can be identified by a name, sign, symbol, color combination, or trademark. How does this relate to you? Well, in terms of internship or job hunting, you should be looking at yourself as a brand. Your brand is what differentiates you from the many others vying for a specific position. In some cases, you may be competing against similarly qualified candidates, so your brand is what will stand out to employers. Like it or not, you are already a brand – do you like what your brand says about you? Look at everything you send to potential employers, look at everything you post online, look at your resume. Are these things consistent? Do they display your personality? If your current brand isn’t what you’d like employers to see, adjust it. Your brand needs to reflect your identity. My best advice is this: Hunt around online for business cards that show your personality. Then try to incorporate the color scheme, font, or graphics (or all three, if you can!) into the materials you send to employers. Make sure they scream your name, but keep it classy! Last year, I bought great business cards online (when you look at them, you can immediately tell they are mine) and used the graphic on my resume, cover letter, and some writing samples when appropriate. I also kept within the same color scheme for my personal blog. Be sure to keep your brand consistent, it is what you will be remembered by!

This is a guest post by our campus ambassador Andrea Teggart from Ohio University.

It’s interview season so hopefully you’ve been applying for summer internships this week! Many of you have probably had phone interviews, but one type of interview that is always a little tricky to plan is the Skype interview. Get your game face on (literally!) because more and more companies are asking potential interns to interview via Skype. I’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks to breeze through your next Skype interview.

• Get in the right location! Skyping while lounging in your bed may work while Skyping with your mom, but NOT for an interview. At Ohio University, our Career Services office has rooms for students to conduct phone and Skype interviews in that are professional, clean and quiet. Your school probably does too! If not, find a place with no noise and a plain background. Avoid busy areas and places with distracting backgrounds. Think plain and simple so the interviewer can focus on YOU!
• Eye contact! You know how important it is to maintain eye contact in interviews and in meeting people anywhere, but it’s a little awkward when Skyping. We are drawn to look at the screen and the image of ourselves, but peel your eyes away from the screen and to the top camera icon on your computer. When you look at the camera, you are “looking” directly at the interviewer rather than yourself
• Practice, practice, practice! Ask your parents or friends if you can “conduct” a more serious Skype interview with them to make sure you understand how each button works, how to make the screen larger, etc. Treat these examples as practice interviews and use the time to work out any kinks or confusion you have with the Skype software.
• DRESS TO IMPRESS: Just because the interviewer can only see you from the chest up does NOT mean you should be Skyping in pajama pants! Put on a FULL interview outfit including shoes. You never know if will be asked to stand up or something like that and it would be horrifying to be dressed on top, but not on the bottom half of your body. For girls, opt for a blouse with a blazer or sweater and show off your personal style with a patterned scarf or necklace. Guys, I’d go with a sweater or collared shirt! Obviously, your dress code depends on the type of internship you are applying for, but make sure to dress the part even if though it’s a video interview! Don’t forget to keep your hair out of your face!
• Speak clearly. Dont rush, don’t whisper, don’t yell. Speak in a modest tone and articulate your words so the interviewer has no problem understanding what you are saying!
• Last minute tips! Conduct a trial run…turn on Skype, make sure the volume and speakers are on. Take a photo on your computer of what you look like to make sure you are at the right level. The picture of me on this blog post is actually one I took before a Skype interview! I also suggest placing your computer at a table. It’s vital to do this quick trial run in advance to make sure your posture is correct, the camera angle is flattering, your outfit works and the background is flattering.

This is a guest blog by our Intern Queen Campus Ambassador Jessica Noonan from American University.

As a second semester Junior I’m closer to the end of my college career than the beginning of it, and that’s a scary thought.  I’m feeling the pressure to get an amazing summer internship, raise my GPA by paying attention in classes that are relevant to my career, hold leadership roles in my extracurricular activities and manage a college social life as the countdown nears till my final semesters.

So far I’ve done well in completing the tasks at hand, but looking back I wish I could have told my freshman self what I know now.

• You’re never too young to network – As a Junior I now know of the amazing opportunities for career exploration.  My career center hosts numerous industry days and a number of information sessions throughout the year; it’s a great way to explore a field you’re interested in.  Even if you don’t qualify for the positions available, you can network and exchange contact information for future opportunities.
• Applying for a position can never hurt – I wish I had applied to internships the summer after my freshman year to gain experience early on.  Even if you don’t get the internships you’ve gained application and interview experience to apply in the future.  If you get the internship you’re building your resume and can boast that you have another year of experience in the field.
• Plan out your major requirements early on – I planned out how I was going to get a dual degree, but at the start of last semester I found out I needed to take 20 more credits than I had originally thought.  Even if you think you know all the requirements meet with your advisor to discuss your plan and make sure you’re on the right track to graduate on time.  Meeting with your advisor also reassures whether or not you want to pursue that degree or explore another option.
• Meet with a career advisor – Looking back I didn’t quite understand how to make a resume and remember submitting a paragraph style one about my experiences to a club.  What I should have done is gotten my resume critiqued, or in my case built, early on.  ESPECIALLY do this if you plan on applying for an internship.  Now, my career center has become my greatest resource and a key to my success.
• Get involved – Perhaps freshman year you won’t gain the leadership roles you held in high school, but you can get to know the people in those leadership roles.  Choose a club that you see growth in.  I chose to rush a business fraternity my sophomore year and since have gained valuable experience that I use on a daily basis.  Find what’s a right fit for you and how you can apply it to your resume.
• Stay organized – Organization has been a key to balancing my hectic schedule.  Each activity holds it’s own color.  Try using the iCal if you own a Mac it will sync with your iPod, or you can create it on your iPod.  With my Droid I’ve found Google Calender to be extremely valuable because I can view and edit it on every computer and it will automatically show up on my phone.  Use technology to your advantage.
• Make a college goal list – Where do you want to be when you graduate?  What do you want to take away from your time here?  I know that I want to gain experience to pursue my degree in marketing communications, but I also want to leave with lifelong friends.  Find a balance between your activities to reach that ultimate goal.

As a freshman, or even as a sophomore, it’s easy to get caught up in college social scenes and making new friends, especially with inspiring songs like “I love College,” but keep in mind that life is a matter of balance.  So get organized, remember your goals and graduate a college success story.

Today I spoke at Columbia College’s LA Program Headquarters and chatted up the students about internships. The class was great and perfect for my entertainment/communications niche. One student in particular sticks out in my mind because when I left the class, she came running down the hall after me. She had a question and didn’t want to ask in front of the class. She is really passionate about a few internships on my site and her running after me, definitely showed me that she wasn’t lazy. Of course, I won’t share her question, but I will remember her. By running down the hall, she really showed me that she cared about these positions and I will expect to see big things in the future. It’s true what they say, run after what you want.

Over the weekend, this was in my purse and I caught myself taking it out to show friends and show them pictures that I had saved on there from old family trips and nights out. There are so many fun features with the Zune and I’ve yet to even get into them! I’m too busy playing with the convenient features that I love.

Some of the features that appeal to my lifestyle are:

• HD Radio – of course everyone needs this

• If you have a Zune account, you have access to over 7 Millions songs available on the Zune store.

• While traveling or at school, you can hook up your Zune to your television to watch movies/TV shows.

But seriously…for any young person who is constantly on the go…check out the Zune..it’s like having your life with you at all times.

We are officially in Fall Internship Season! Many students don’t pay much attention to Fall Internships but I’m here to tell you to think twice about that.

Read more on my guest blog for CareerRookie.com

http://careerrookie.com/Article/CB-212-Blog-Consider-a-Fall-Internship/