Internqueen.com

Q: Hello,

I’m a senior at a Westchester highschool and am looking for an internship in Westchester or NYC from April-June. I have looked through many internships listed on your site, but every one i find says “no high school students.” I am eighteen, outgoing, a hard worker, and would be willing to work in many different fields. Do you know of any opportunities for me? Thank you so much – Chandler

A: Hi Chandler,

I don’t currently work with any Westchester opportunities. The closest I can get you is in NYC. Here is what I suggest:

1. Personal Connections/Relationships. Think to yourself…who do I know that works in the industry I’m interested in? Who do my parents/brothers/sisters/grandparents know locally that might be willing to let me intern a few days per week?

2. Set a meeting with your school guidance counselor.

3. Make a list of your top 10 local companies – even try some NYC companies if you want. Start with smaller/local companies to get some experience under your belt.

4. Be ready to explain to an employer why you are the PERFECT candidate – even though you are still in high school.

5. Remember, ANYTHING is possible!

xx Lauren Berger
“The Intern Queen”

This blog is written by Mollie .A, our campus ambassador from Northern Michigan University. She is studying Communication Studies and will graduate in May 2012! She hopes to work in any communications industry from television to PR!

1. Start Interning Sooner – I had 2 internships in high school, but once I got to college, I felt like I had all the time in the world. Before I knew it, I was scrapping for an internship to count for class credit.
2. Start a LinkedIn Profile as a Freshman – There are so many professionals that I wish I had kept in contact with from my first few college years.
3. Join More Campus Organizations as a Freshman – I now realize that employers are looking for people who have had on hand experience in their field as well as have held leadership positions. GPA is not the only thing that matters.
4. Stop Being a Baby – I go to a university that is about 15 minutes away from where I grew up. For a year, I lived at home with my parents and commuted to class every day. I have gained so many “real life” lessons by moving out on my own.
5. Make Every Class Count – Every student should have a thorough understanding of the requirements it takes to graduate. Visit your university’s academic advisement center early so that you don’t have to stay for an extra semester or year because you didn’t take classes that are required to receive your diploma.
6. You Are Going to Have to Pay Your Dues – For a while, I had this image in my head that once I graduated college, I was just going to fall into this amazing job where I would make thousands of dollars and be set for life. Now that graduation is upon me, I will just be happy to find a job in my field that I can use as a stepping stone to greater things.
7. Have Business Cards – Business cards are great to have on hand to pass out to people you meet throughout your college years. Networking is extremely important! (They also come in handy if the hottie in your chemistry class wants your number!)
8. Stop Complaining About Dorm Food – Having to buy groceries and cook for yourself everyday isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Take advantage of the fact that people prepare your food for you every day and all you have to do is stumble down to the cafeteria.
9. Reputation to Protect – Choices you make as a freshman will stay with you throughout college and possibly beyond that. Remember that nothing stays a secret for long, so be smart about what you get yourself into.
10. Have Fun – I wish sometimes that someone would just tell me that it will all work out in the end, because it will. Enjoy college, because before you know it, you will be a real adult. You have the rest of your life to be a grown up, but only a few more years to be a kid.

This is a blog written by our Intern Queen Campus Ambassador, Bianca, who attends Belmont University in Nashville, TN.

One of the best ways to break into the industry and get hands-on experience is to intern in a large city like New York City or Los Angeles. Spending a semester in the city is definitely possible, but it will take some work and planning to be successful. From housing to internship interviews, there are some important factors to consider when getting ready for your summer in the city. I’ve compiled a few tips and tricks that I’ve come across while planning my own summer away in New York City.

1. Spring Break is the Perfect Time for Intern Interview

While some companies may be willing to interview you via Skype or phone, many companies are going to require you to interview in person. When planning and searching for a summer internship, start looking at the interview timeline and process for intern selection as soon as you’ve made your decision to intern in the city. Most interviews will take place in March or April, which conveniently is the time of many university Spring breaks. Over your break, take a trip to the city and set up as many interviews as you can!

2. How to Approach Student Housing

While there are a number of student housing services such as Educational Housing Services, NYU Summer Housing, and Columbia Summer Housing, many of these programs have strict guidelines for room reservation and periods of stay. An issue I’ve come across is that some of the companies I’ve interviewed with don’t give me a final decision about the internship until after some of the housing deadlines have passed. If you are adamant on staying in the city regardless of an internship, go ahead and reserve your student housing as early as possible, but if you have to wait to hear back from companies, you may have to take a gamble and not reserve your housing until you get a word back. Many housing services run out, but you’ll probably be able to find another place to live. (Although it might not be your ideal choice.) Another factor to consider is when student housing opens in comparison to your internship. Some internships start earlier than student housing opens up, so you may have to find a temporary place to stay during that time period. Housing is one of the tricky aspects of spending a semester in the city.

3. Save Your Money

Living in the city is very expensive! Student housing is very pricey and often requires advance payment. Depending on your location, you may be spending money each day on public transportation. It’s also likely that you’ll be quite busy and always on the go, which leads to a lot of eating out. Everything is much more expensive, so be sure to save money throughout the school year. A summer in the city has invaluable opportunities, but there are expenses that are unavoidable. Plus, you want to have some spending money for the awesome activities and shopping!

This is a blog post by Sara, our Campus Ambassador for the Fairleigh Dickinson university. Sara is a currently interning at The Rachael Ray show.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind while your interning!

1. Always be proactive! Every internship is different but at my internship my boss asks us to go on runs for the show, etc a lot. I’ve learned to try to volunteer as much as I can. Not only does it show my boss that I am reliable but I also get to know more people in different departments depending on who or what the run is for.
2. Be ready and timely! It’s always important to not only get there on time, but as mentioned above. I always make sure I am ready for anything they tell me to do for the show! I have to go on runs a lot so I always try to get them done in a timely manner since its the entertainment business and everything is always fast paced. Also, if your internship needs you stay late to help with something- -go for it! It definitely helps you stand out and can only help you. It shows how passionate you are about the job! As Lauren always said, most internships ask to have you for 15-20 hours so make the most of the time while you are there!
3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! I’m from NJ but am still adjusting to traveling all around the city. I always make it a point to ask my peers and internship boss (especially if its for a run) questions. Whether it is asking where to go or just to double check or ask a general question regarding something. It not only helps you in the long run but it also shows that you’re an open person. At my previous internships, I have never been afraid to ask questions. I’m sure you’ve heard people say this many times, but you are always better safe then sorry!
4. Dress to impress! Each internship is different some require business attire and others prefer casual wear, but make sure you come in dressed to impress! My internship is casual but I was sure to stock up on jeans and get some new clothes. After being there a few days I have adapted the “dress code”.
5. SAVE SAVE SAVE! Last, especially if you are currently or looking into doing an unpaid internship, be sure to $ave! You never know if you need money for lunch or buying something on the way home. I worked over the summer but am also working a few more jobs so I can intern comfortably and get what I need to get while I am on campus. There are plenty of jobs that are part time out there and flexible with your class and internship hours! Especially if you are graduating in the May, it can help you save for post graduation as well if you work enough hours and budget accordingly!

Good luck and remember stay positive and proactive!!