What is your dream job?
What unique skills and or interests do you have?
What values or personality traits will influence your choices?

Asking yourself these questions will help narrow down the type of internship placement that will move you towards your career goals, while capitalizing on your individual strengths.

Please follow these links for additional resources:
http://career.uri.edu/Handouts/CareerAssessments.pdf
https://online.cpp.com/en/index.aspx
http://careers.typefocus.com/

Creating a resume early in this process will help you to identify your strengths and interests. Make sure your resume reflects recent employment, education, interests, skills, and goals.

Visit Career Services for resume advice.

Please follow these links for additional resources:
http://career.uri.edu/Handouts/Resumehandout.pdf
http://career.uri.edu/Handouts/MarketableSkills.pdf
http://career.uri.edu/Handouts/Stand%20Out.pdf

There are many ways to look for an internship.

Some helpful search engines are:
RhodyNet
www.uri.edu/internships/explore
www.internships.com

Or... You can create your own internship! Many companies and organizations are willing to accept interns even if they do not have a specific internship program.

Start by identifying your goals:

What do you want to learn while interning?
What is the geographical area that you want to be in for your internship?
What companies or organizations could potentially be of interest to you?
What is your availability for the semester?

Use Google or company/ organization websites to research your target placements for information and contacts.

Connecting your interests and experiences to an organization's mission is sure to impress!

You can do this by conducting a thorough search on Google, the companies' website, or through networking with people you know. Think about the companies' policies and mission as well as who they serve, to know if these elements coincide with your goals.

Use this information to tailor your resume and any other communication you have with the company.

Please follow these links for additional resources:
http://www.emc.com/collateral/article/100-job-search-tips.pdf

From the initial contact through to your interview, always convey your professional qualities clearly. A few point to think about:

• All communication should be brief, while clearly expressing your reason for making contact
• Include all of your contact information.
• All email communication should be free of any grammar or spelling errors.
• Prep yourself before a phone call
• Have a brief introduction prepared about yourself and your interest, as well as how your experiences relate to the internship position.
• Write two versions of this introduction statement- one geared towards a conversation with a person, the other tailored for a voicemail message.

First impressions are often irreversible. To leave the best first impression, dress professionally at all networking events, at your interview, and in any other situation in which you may be viewed by prospective employers.

When in doubt, err on the side of caution. It is better to be overdressed than underdressed!

Follow these links for additional information:
http://www.career.vt.edu/Interviewing/InterviewAppearance.html
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewsnetworking/tp/interviewattire.htm

There are several steps you can take to have a positive interview.

1. Know where the interview is to take place and arrive 15 minutes early.
2. Prepare answers that reflect your knowledge of the company, based on the research you've done in preparing for this interview.
3. Come prepared with your own questions. This will show that you have thought about your place in this company and that you want to be sure it is mutually beneficial for you to work there.
4. Take notes during your interview. This will help you keep your thoughts organized and will be useful for your thank-you note after the interview.

Follow these links for additional resources:
http://career.uri.edu/Handouts/InformationalInterviewing.pdf
http://career.uri.edu/Handouts/Effective%20Interviewing.pdf
http://www.jobinterviewquestions.org/questions/general-questions.asp