This semester, The Career Center has launched a new internship program- a collaboration between department-specific internship coordinators and The Career Center- designed to provide an effective and convenient process to getting an internship.

According to Career Center Director, Marilyn Albert, the collaboration began last semester, out of a need to bring direction and order to the internship process.

At a luncheon meeting between The Career Center and the department-specific internship coordinators, both groups discussed and analyzed the status of the internship process. Both agreed, the process in which a student endures to gain an internship position was confusing and lacked productivity, explained Albert.As a result, The Career Center developed a comprehensive program that encompasses all internship resources available through the two groups, to meet the needs of the student body. The new internship program is designed to make available general information regarding resume writing, interviews, professionalism, and internship benefits; as well as department-specific information such as requirements, industry trends, and networking opportunities.

Last semester, much of this information was spread throughout campus, making it difficult to acquire everything available.

“We have set up a system that allows students to get general internship information as well as information specific to their area of interest, and at the same time, within each academic category. We have left the spectrum broad enough so that it encompasses all aspects of a specific field of study,” Albert said.The Career Center has outlined the standards any student interested in getting an internship position needs to meet.

“The internship program offers key information,” added Albert. “There are lots of opportunities for experience.”

Attending an Internship Orientation Workshop is the first step of the internship program. Every Tuesday from 3:30-4:30 p.m., and every Wednesday from 2-3 p.m., The Career Center holds these workshops to familiarize students with the efforts needed to gain an internship position.

The workshops are designed to assess student’s interests, experience, and qualifications. At the workshops students can also take advantage of all the research The Career Center has done to consolidate general and department-specific information and requirements.

“To extend the convenience of the internship program, we are working on an Internship Directory which would serve as the primary resource for those in the program,” said Candace McGee, experiential education assistant for the Career Center.

“This resource will contain preliminary requirements for an internship, as well as internship information specific to each academic program,” McGee said.

Attending an Internship Orientation Workshop is also a first step to participating in an On-Campus Interview for Internships.

A continuously expanding list of major companies is available through the program. Companies such as Ernst & Young, Intel, and Arthur Andersen participate in On-Campus Interviews for Internships as part of the program.

The On-Campus Interview aspect of the program is a good opportunity to get an idea of what top companies are expecting from an intern.

“Students need to understand that this program sets up a two-way street between themselves and employers. It gives companies an opportunity to familiarize themselves with our students, and allows students to establish good relationships with major companies,” Albert said.

To make participation more convenient for the busy student, Carol Leigh Billing, career events specialist for the Center, has revitalized the Career Center’s Web site, http://www.csus.edu/careercenter/.

At this site there is a complete list of workshop dates and times; an electronic sign-up page; a continually updated list of participating companies for the on-campus interviews; as well as a detailed description of the services provided by the center.

“The content of the Web site is brand new and very exciting,” Billing said, “I am hoping students will take advantage of the electronic sign-up feature. It is really convenient.”

For students who do not have Internet access, and are interested in participating in an Internship Orientation Workshop, sign up at The Career Center, Lassen Hall 2000. Walk-ins are welcomed.