The Intern Queen Campus Ambassador program provides a forum for driven college students to express themselves through professional networking, personal development, blogging, and peer-to-peer connections. They actively promote the Intern Queen message on their respective college campuses. These bright and ambitious students will one day be leaders in their fields.

We are looking for students who are:

• Attending school outside of the United States
• Graduating May 2013, 2014, or 2015
• Involved, ambitious, and always seeking new opportunities
• Great organizers and communicators
• Active on social media platforms (such as Facebook and Twitter)
• Influential on their college campus
• Aware of the importance of internship opportunities and are ready to focus on their future!

What do they do?

• Spread the word about InternQueen.com to their campus (and social network)
• Share insight into the internship landscape outside of the United States
• Expand the Intern Queen brand internationally
• Blog and video blog once per month, which are posted on Intern Queen Blog
• Participate in one Campus Ambassador contest each semester
• Help us spread the word about our partner brands and test new products from brands we work with
• Provide feedback about new websites, ideas, brands, and products
• Network with other Ambassadors and their connections!

Interested in applying? Send an email to alicia@internqueen.com with your name, school, and anticipated graduation date for application materials! All application materials will then be sent to you for completion.

I was going through the InternQueen Blog, and I came across a post, The Intern’s Closet, by our University of Central Florida Campus Ambassador, Sara. It got me thinking about what your closet should look like – if you’re a virtual intern! Because, granted, you don’t have to dress up to be productive at work – and your best impression is your voice over the phone, or your grammar in your e-mails, and the way you express yourself behind a computer screen.

So let’s get to it. What does a virtual intern need in his or her virtual “closet”? Here are a few essentials.

One. You need a laptop. This one’s a given. We’re talking about virtual internships people: this is the 21^st century and you need your laptop if you’re going to be working mostly online.

Two. Google Calendar is your best friend. What I love most about Google Calendar is that you can have multiple calendars (for instance, your InternQueen blogging schedule in one, your classes in another, and your social life in yet another calendar) and view them in one go so that it’s easy to tell whether you’re available on Wednesday at 6.00 PM or not. You can also access Google Calendar from your iPhone, or other smartphones, on the go. It’s easy to share and very user-friendly, which is why I think it works great with internship schedules.

Three. Assertiveness. If you’re going to be talking to people you haven’t met, over the phone, you need to be sure of where you stand, what you know, and what you don’t know. If you don’t understand something, let the other person/people on the line know. They won’t be there to see the confusion on your face, so you need to be straightforward about anything and everything.

Four. A conscience buddy. I love this one. This is an outsider (could be a friend) who knows about your internship, and will keep on asking you about it and how it’s going on a regular basis. Why? Because it’s easy to slack off at a virtual internship. There’s no one behind your shoulder wanting to know how far along that one project you are. A conscience buddy keeps talking to you about it, and keeps you disciplined. It’s just helpful to have someone nagging you about work sometimes.

Five. Time. It’s easy to pile up on virtual internships because the myth is that they’re often not a lot of work. Wrong! It all depends on how much effort you put in, and what the company’s expectations of you are. Just make sure that when you add a virtual internship to your plate, you have the dedication needed. The company is depending on you, someone who isn’t going to be there physically, to put in time and effort. And you don’t want to sign up for something you don’t have the energy for!

What else do you have in your virtual “closet”? I might have missed something since every closet depends on what kind of internship it is. Leave your “items” in the comments below to share with others!

1. What are your three must-have items for an internship?
My three must-have items are my L’oreal Paris Colour Juice Iced Latte Lip Gloss, my pink Five Star notebook, and my personalized business cards. (You never know who you might meet!)

2. What are your three must visit websites each day?
Nikki Finke’s Deadline (www.deadline.com)
New York Magazine (www.nymag.com)
Fashion.Luxury.Lifestyle Blog (getjanet.com)

3. What kind of cell phone do you have?

Blackberry

4. Age-old question: Mac or PC?

Mac

5. What has been your favorite part about being an Intern Queen Campus Ambassador?

Spreading the word about Intern Queen, Inc. at Syracuse Univsersity has been the best part about being a Campus Ambassador. I’ve been able to share my personal story of how I became an ambassador as well as tell my peers about the importance of being an intern.
6. Any advice for other interns?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Whether you’re sprinting across town, riding the train, heading to a departmental meeting, or even just strolling to class, interns need a handy bag to keep organized and stay stylish. The messenger bag is perfect for guys and girls since it is durable, versatile, and portable.

There are countless variations of the bag available, enough to make a poor intern’s head hurt! Here are some top finds and ones that I’m sure will make your life as an intern a little bit easier..and did I mention they’re stylish?

1. J. Crew Abingdon Messenger Bag

This would be your go-to bag with its vintage look and quality styling.

2. Fossil Grant E/W Messenger Bag

This bag is on the pricier side, but made with genuine leather and large compartments, you know this bag will last you a lifetime.

3. AE Canvas Messenger Bag

This is for the casual, always on-the-go intern who needs a bag in a hurry.

4. Banana Republic Messenger Bag

I’m in love! This bag demands attention while remaining classic and simple.

5. Mossimo Supply Messenger Bag

This goes to show Target is an intern’s best friend! What a great price!

Did your favorite messenger bag make the list? Share your staple bag with us here!

1. What are your three must-have items for an internship?

1.     Computer

2.     Notebook/notepad

3.     ID/Cash

2.     What are your three must visit websites each day?

1.     The company website

2.     Social Media for company (FB and/or Twitter)

3.     Google

3.     What kind of cell phone do you have?

An old LG ENV II

4.     Age-old question: Mac or PC?

MAC

5.     What has been your favorite part about being an Intern Queen Campus Ambassador?

I get to help my peers out and help them achieve their goals!

6.     Any advice for other interns?

Work hard and do an internship your passionate about!

1.     What are your three must-have items for an internship?

Cell Phone

Notepad

Pen

2.     What are your three must visit websites each day?

Bobcatmail (www.txstate.edu)

Facebook

Twitter

3.     What kind of cell phone do you have?

Just a regular slide phone, nothing too fancy

4.     Age-old question: Mac or PC?

Hmm…Even though I am a PC user/owner, I love Macs because they are neat looking and have great programs.

5.     What has been your favorite part about being an Intern Queen Campus Ambassador?

I love being part of something great! InternQueen helps many students including myself, make connections and break into the industry of their choice. It is constantly growing and I’m happy to be part of that!

6.     Any advice for other interns?

Take advantage of every opportunity you are given.

-Coffee before I start the day.  It’s so cliche, but it really helps me wake up and feel ready to take on whatever I need to do for the rest of the day!

-My planner.  I would DIE without my planner.  I carry it with me everywhere I go and I write my whole life in it!

-Hand sanitizer.  I know, kind of random.  During the day you may be meeting lots of people, shaking hands.  Or if you are in a small office and someone is sick, the last thing I want is to get sick!  I always say I don’t have time to be sick. I keep hand sanitizer with me just in case.

2. What are your three must visit websites each day?

-Mashable.com, described as a ” top source for news in social and digital media, technology and web culture.”  Need I say more?

-Twitter.com, just because it’s more useful than facebook and I #love using hashtags.  I am able to stay up to date on news from any field, my friends lives and celebrities lives through twitter.  I just got my roommate to start tweeting and she is obsessed.  It’s such a great tool to use for any student or business.

-Gmail.  It’s so important for me to keep up with my emails.  I get notifications, requests, information and other news all through my gmail account.  It makes me feel very grown up when I sit down in front of my laptop and have to respond to emails.

3. What kind of cell phone do you have?

I have a Droid Incredible.

4. Age-old question: Mac or PC?

MAC!  I love my Macbook!

5. What has been your favorite part about being an Intern Queen Campus Ambassador?

There are two things I love about being an IQ Ambassador.
1. I have been able to meet some incredible people through this program.  It’s exciting to meet other college students who have the same interests as I do and connect with them.  We live all over the world but we talk, text, tweet, skype and facebook daily!
2. The second is, by far, when I was able to meet The Intern Queen, Lauren.  I felt like I was with a celebrity!  We had a great evening running around to the different Sorority houses at my campus spreading the word about Intern Queen.  Lauren is a great role model and I am so fortunate to have been able to spend time with her in person!

6. Any advice for other interns?

Remember to keep your priorities straight.  It’s okay to make mistakes, but not if they could’ve been prevented in the first place.  If you know you have to be in the office at 8 am, don’t stay out with friends until 2 in the morning!  These internships are going to connect you with professionals who are looking for the best of the best and most likely have connections to other professionals in the same industry.  Don’t risk your chances of creating a bad name for yourself in a company OR industry when you aren’t even hired yet!

As a recent high school graduate, the concept of interning at a
high profile company before staring college in the fall motivated me
through  lengthy applications, stressful interviews, and sadly,
rejection letters saying that I needed more experience for the post.
It is easy to get discouraged when it seems as if you will never reach
the first stepping stone to launch a successful career. If you have
ever been in this position, you know exactly the kind of frustration I
am talking about. However, it is often said that when one opportunity
closes another is waiting for you.

After learning about a finance intern position at BURGER KING®
Corporate Headquarters, I knew this was the position for me. Now, I am
finishing my seventh week at the company and I love every minute of
it. I am currently working with both technical accounting and SEC
reporting which expose me to two different sides of a field I am
interested in. Through technical accounting, I am able to review
balance sheet reconciliations, document journal entries, and use
different computer programs to track BURGER KING® ‘s global revenue.
Working with SEC reporting, which deals with government paperwork,
gives me a whole new view into the world of finance. With this team I help to file quarterly reports, earnings releases, and different financial statements. My time with
both my co-workers and directors has been amazing in that they have
guided me in learning new things about accounting, finance, and the
general office know-how. This short time has already made an impact on
me and I know that keeping in touch with the networks I have made this
summer will give me guidance in other career moves I will make in the
future.

Most importantly, my internship has taught me to never
underestimate myself or to feel embarrassed by asking for help from
others. As an intern here at BURGER KING® , there are TONS of resources to
help me better understand the complex world of assets and liabilities;
if I only stop to ask.

1.      What are your three must-have items for an internship?

Confidence, Planner, Open-mind

2.      What are your three must visit websites each day?

Microsoft Outlook for emails, Twitter for news and friend updates, Blackboard to stay updated with classes

3.      What kind of cell phone do you have?

iPhone4

4.      Age-old question: Mac or PC?

Currently PC

5.      What has been your favorite part about being an Intern Queen Campus Ambassador?

My favorite part about being an Intern Queen Campus Ambassador was watching Lauren speak at Mizzou.  Through the process, I was able to make connections with people that I otherwise would not have established and the response to Lauren’s presentation was so great that she will be returning in the fall!

6.      Any advice for other interns?

My advice for other interns is to take each experience as a learning opportunity.  You may find that you love the industry you are interning in or you may find that you do not like it as much as you thought.  Take that experience and apply it to your future endeavors.

Many of us interning this summer are not the only interns at the company.  At major firms they hire hundreds of interns every summer to get their daily work accomplished, so when I came to my internship I wanted to be sure to make myself stand out in the group of college students making their ways through the office everyday.

I began by learning everyone’s name in the office and when I see them in the hallways I am sure to say hello and ask them how they are doing.  Even though they all aren’t my boss, it shows that I cared enough to go that extra step and get to know them.

I have also been sure to go above and beyond the call of duty.  When we’ve had early morning news shoots (starting around 5:30 a.m.) I have always been there.  I have also been the only intern in the group.

I always make sure and ask my boss if there is anything that I can do other than my long-term projects.  Something there are just little things like making copies or sending e-mails, but I want them to know that I am there for them, and not just concerned with my own projects.

While I’m still at my internship and won’t really know how effective these tactics have been until I’m done, I can be sure that I’ve done what I can to make myself stand out in the hoard of interns at my office on any given day.