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Apply Now for a Work, Intern, or Volunteer Program
Before You Go
- Research your options by requesting published information or viewing web sites for each organization
- Provide organizations of interest with an easy means of contacting you and determine what information they would like from you
- Be clear and specific about what your expectations are and what skillls or knowledge you have that could benefit the organization
- When arranging an independent internship abroad, be cautious in using the work "internship." Internships as we define them often do not exist in other cultures
- Clearly communicate your expectations in terms of pay and support, such as assistance when you arrive or help finding housing
- Clarify before you arrive who you will be reporting to, what your work schedule will be, and any time off you may need
- Request the agreed-upon terms of the internship in writing (including evaluations)
Once You Arrive
- Set goals for the experience with your supervisor, including what you hope to learn and the skills you hope to acquire
- Keep a journal of your activities and reflections, particularly any professional or cultural insights you gain
- Make an effort to learn about the culture and get to know your coworkers
- Keep your supervisor informed of your activities, even if this does not seem required
- Be open-minded and willing to revise your goals if necessary; your experiences could lead you in a direction you did not plan, and still provide new opportunities
- Ask questions; do not make assumptions
As You Prepare to Return to the U.S.
- Request a meeting or an "exit interview" with your supervisor; discuss your initial goals, accomplishments, and the experience as a whole
- Ask for letters of recommendation, as your supervisors may be difficult for future employers to contact
- Formally thank people for your experience
- If appropriate, provide feedback that might be helpful in the preparation and supervision of future interns
- Revise your resume, or document your experience immediately, while it is fresh in your mind
Last modified on December 23, 2008 |