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Nowadays it is imperative that you apply your studies of this discipline in a professional setting prior to graduation. Internships are the best way to do this by allowing you to gain professional work experience, develop skills that will be marketable upon graduation, and further define your interests and career goals. View Internship Evaluation Guidelines Most of our global programs incorporate an internship or other professional experience into the program. While The Maxwell School's International Relations Program encourages you to apply your studies of the discipline in a field setting through one of our programs, we do not provide direct placement at an organization. This is to ensure that the organization and position meet your specific needs and that you have an opportunity to learn from the job search process. However, the Global Programs Coordinator will recommend organizations for you to consider, facilitate contacts at these organizations, and review your application materials for any internship position. This website is an excellent resource for
all steps in the internship search process. Please take some time
to navigate this site to find information on various fields,
organizations, application procedures, networking, and other relevant
topics. For more information on any of the information provided
here, or to schedule a one-on-one meeting with the Global Programs
Coordinator, please contact Samantha Clemence at
saclemen@maxwell.syr.edu. Thanks! The
Internship Search Process:
1.
Plan ahead The internship search process can begin up to 9 months in advance of when you plan to begin working. Many established internship programs, especially those at the federal government or at large international organizations, require a lengthy period of review to allow for security clearances and other bureaucratic technicalities. Below are general guidelines and a timetable to help you successfully plan your internship search:
Please note that these timelines will vary greatly depending on the type and size of organization that you are applying to. To give you a clearer idea of this variety, I have listed the application deadlines of some different organizations that have established internship programs for the fall, spring and summer sessions. View List of Application Deadlines This is the most crucial part of the internship application process. There are thousands of relevant internships out there, but it will take some time for you to find which ones are most appropriate for you. Below is a easy way to help define your key internship search criteria, and a list of resources that you should turn to for your internship search. Key Internship Search Criteria:
Field:
What is your field or fields of
interest within this discipline? This could be your geographic
and/or topical concentrations. You should pick a couple of
"fields" that would interest you. For example, your major field of
interest could be economic development in rural Africa and your
minor field of interest could be human rights and the rule of law in
former soviet countries. Because all students of IR at Maxwell
are required to select a geographic and topical concentration for their
studies, the resources provided in these pages will be organized by
these categories:
Function: Each position at an organization
has a specific function which requires certain skills. While the
mission of the organization may be relevant to your field of interest,
the position itself may have a function that it totally distinct from
this field. For example, each organization requires staff to
specialize in a variety of functions including research and analysis,
project management, communications, human relations, information
technology, finance and development, etc. Prior to beginning
your internship search, you should identify what type of position you
would like to obtain, and what skills this position would require.
Most internship positions allow for a variety of functions and skills.
These are typically defined in the responsibilities and qualifications
sections of the position description. For example, given below is
a sample internship position description that lists intern
responsibilities and skills desired:
Legislative Intern [sample
position description]
Skills:
You should also note that organizations have functions, as well. This is another effective way to limit your internship search. You should identify which type of organization you would like to work for. For example, the main types of organizations are listen below:
Location:
Another key internship search
criteria is location. This is one of the more practical
considerations that you should weigh in on very early in the internship
search process. Location is probably the most limiting factor
in your search, and can be a quick and easy way to limit the myriad of
internship options. It is for this reason that the Maxwell
International Relations program requires students to identify which
program they will be participating in as soon as possible. Maxwell
currently offers practicum (or internship) programs in the following
locations: Of course, you shouldn't limit yourself to internship searches in these cities if your interests lie elsewhere. The Global Programs Coordinator will help you identify internship opportunities in any city around the world. Simply send an email to global@maxwell.syr.edu for an appointment. Cost: Most internship opportunities are unpaid. However, it is possible to find paid opportunities at any type of organization (public government, NGO, or private firm). Forms of compensation vary significantly for internship positions. Remuneration may be an hourly wage, compensation for travel expenses, or a stipend, fellowship or grant. In most cases, employers are willing to work with the student and their school to award academic credit for the internship experience. If the cost of the internship experience is important to you, and you would like to find out how to help finance this opportunity, please visit the pages on Funding Opportunities. List of Internship Search Resources To aid you in your internship search, the Maxwell International Relations Program is prepared to provide you with a multitude of valuable resources:
Your Global Programs Coordinator:
Internship Databases In addition, the Maxwell Career and Alumni Services office also maintains an online database which includes jobs and internships. Syracuse University Career Services Network also has an online database of job and internship opportunities. Below is a list of internship sites that our students have worked at in the past, or organizations that are recommended for internship work. This resources is helpful for both graduate and undergraduate students. These sites are organized by location and can be found online at the following sites. If you are interested in opportunities that are not in the locations given below, please contact the Global Programs Coordinator directly.
Internships in
International Organizations
Internet Resources It is important for you to make networking a priority while you are in school. The exposure that you currently have to the variety of scholars and professionals is greater now than it will likely be in your future career. In addition to providing you with information on career options and job opportunities, professional contacts can also serve as your resource for advice and support throughout your internship or job search. Everyone has been in the position that you are in right now, and many have fond memories and useful tips that they are more than willing to share. Not to mention that nowadays over 80% of all jobs are not advertised, so it is crucial that you are able to identify job and internship leads through personal contacts. To help you begin the process of networking, I suggest that you conduct a series of informational interviews. This is a valuable way to meet contacts who can provide you with valuable information about your intended career, or help you define your professional goals. If you are interested in taking advantage of the "Maxwell Mafia" to initiate contact within a specific field or organization, feel free to contact the Global Programs Coordinator or visit the Maxwell Career and Alumni Services Office for information on how to identify suitable alumni. The Career and Alumni Services Office maintains an online database of alumni who are willing to be contacted by current students. In addition, the University provides an Alumni Mentoring Program, Mentor@SU, that serves current undergraduate and graduate students. If you are interested in finding out more information about this program, please visit the Mentor@SU program website. If you are interested in being paired with an alumni mentor, please contact SUMentor@syr.edu .
Informational Interviews:
Students are often intimidated by the idea of
"networking" and feel that they should be able to compete
successfully for a position based solely on their qualifications.
While this is an honorable approach, it is often more productive in
today's market to identify people in your field of expertise
who you can use as contacts when looking for a professional position.
1. Identify people to interview
3. What to ask
What are the typical entry-level jobs?
What is the path of career advancement in this field? What specific courses would be beneficial? What are the most important skills needed for this field? Is there currently a demand for people in this field? What organizations are actively hiring? (Ask for referrals if possible) What are the best resources for locating advertised and unadvertised position and developing job leads? Are there other people in this field with whom you would suggest I talk?
4. This is the most important part!!! This can really make or break your success in terms of how useful this contact is in the future. You have to follow-up. This means that you do the following three simple things: 1) At the end of the interview ask if you may keep in touch with the individual and provide them with a copy of your resume and/or a business card; 2) Send a thank you note within one week of your meeting. This should be hand-written and mailed to the individual. This is the most effective way to really leave a good impression; and 3) Keep in touch. Call this person periodically to find out how they are doing and give them an update on your career path. It takes a lot of work to maintain a strong network of contacts.
You should also keep in mind some basic networking protocol, or etiquette, that we expect of all of our students: Maxwell Networking Code of Conduct
If you have any questions or need
additional advice on informational interviewing, please do not
hesitate to contact Nell Bartkowiak at nsbartko@maxwell.syr.edu. Applications are made directly through the employer, therefore the application process varies significantly for each position. Typically, an advertised position will clearly state the application process and deadline. The application may include a cover letter, resume, writing sample and list of references. Some employers ask for a transcript or a letter from a school official confirming that you are enrolled in a degree program. In addition, the method for delivering the application materials varies significantly by employer. Some employers state that materials must be mailed or faxed to the organization and that no electronic submissions will be considered. However, nowadays more and more employers are accepting application via email or requesting that applicants complete an online application form. The Global Programs Coordinator, in addition to the trained counselors at Maxwell's Career and Alumni Services Office and the SU Career Services Network, are available to help IR students complete their application materials. Below is a brief description of some of the common application materials requested, and advice on successfully completing these materials. If you would like individual advice on any internship application, please contact Samantha Clemence at saclemen@maxwell.syr.edu. Resume If you are applying to a position in the U.S., you should prepare a resume, or summary of your qualifications for the position. Typically, resumes are 1 page in length (2 pages if you have significant relevant experience) and are organized into the following main categories: Name and Contact Information You may also wish to include other sections on publications, activities, travel, or interests, if you feel that this information is relevant and would strengthen your application. You will end up with multiple versions of your resume, each tailored to a type of position that you are seeking. Tips & Tricks Name and Contact Information: Include you name, permanent address, current address (if different), telephone number and e-mail address. Your name should be in the largest size font on the page (don't get carried away). If you are trying to save space to fit everything on one page you can put your name and contact information all on one line separated by bullets. If you choose to do this, you may wish to format your name in bold or all caps. Education: Include undergraduate and graduate degrees, and any other educational experience that is relevant, such as a certificate program or language study. Each entry should include the school, location (city, state, country), degree, date conferred or expected, concentration or major, and relevant coursework, if appropriate. Experience: Each entry should include the full name of the organization, the department or division, dates of employment, location (city, state, country), position or title, and job description. Job descriptions should be concise and should highlight the most significant accomplishments and relevant skills using strong verbs and clear language. Descriptions should be approximately 3-4 sentences each, and many students choose to specially format this section using bullets to break up the long description and highlight their achievements. Skills: This section is perhaps the most important one for an internship position, as many organizations hire interns to fill a technology or language deficiency within the program/office. Here, you should be very clear identifying the specific computer applications that you have experience using and your level of proficiency of foreign languages. For example, do not list "MS Office", but list "MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access", etc. In addition, you should be very honest with yourself about your language proficiency, because this may well be tested in an interview. To define your level of proficiency, use the following descriptions: "fluent" or "proficient in", "working knowledge of", or "familiar with". You may also want to delineate between speaking, writing, and reading proficiencies, if this information would be relevant for the position. Design: While the content of your resume is ultimately paramount, the design of your resume determines the visual appeal and ease of review, which can make or break your application even before the employer has tackled the content. Here are a couple of tips:
If you follow these rules to make your resume clean and concise, then a unique design or advanced template are not necessary. View Sample Resumes in the MAIR Student Handbook If the employer requests that you include your salary requirement, then follow my advice below. As an application material, the purpose of the cover letter is to highlight the relevant experience that is listed on your resume. This is where you provide the employer with a thoughtful and honest case for why you are the right person for the position. Use the position advertisement to help guide what skills or experience you should market here. For example, if the employer lists that the qualifications for the position include excellent research and writing skills, then you should describe how your experience in a former position led to the development of these skills. The main body of the letter is organized in the following manner: Introduction: Describe what position you are applying for, how you heard of the position or who gave you their name as a contact, and briefly state, in the last sentence of the introduction, why you want to be considered for the position. Body: The body of the cover letter describes how your past relevant education and experience makes you a strong candidate for this position. Be as specific as possible and address all main skills and qualifications that are referred to in the position description. The body of the letter is typically one to two paragraphs. Conclusion: Briefly reiterate that why you are attracted to this position and why you think you should be considered. Mention that you have included your resume and other requested materials (references and/or writing sample) for their review. Suggest that they contact you if they have any questions or concerns, or if they need any additional information. You should mention here how they can contact you; leave them your telephone and email address for ease of reference. Some students may wish to specify more definite follow-up plans. Thank them for their time and consideration, and mention that you look forward to hearing from them soon. View Sample Cover Letters in the MAIR Student Handbook References and Writing Samples References References are almost always checked before you are offered a position, so be sure to select your references with care. Below are a couple of tips:
If asked to provide a list of references with your application materials, simply put your contact information on the top of a page and include a header entitled "References". List each reference, giving the employers' names, company/organization name, address, telephone number, email address and dates that you worked for them. Make sure to periodically update this contact information. Writing Samples Many employers ask that applicants include a sample of their writing to ensure that their communication skills meet the requirements that the position demands. Below are a couple of tips:
The Maxwell Career and Alumni Services Office will help prepare you for your big day by providing you with the opportunity to complete a mock interview. I highly recommend that every student complete at least one mock interview. The process is video-taped and then your responses and performance are evaluated in an attempt to make you aware of your weaknesses. The counselors at the Career and Alumni Office will provide you with wonderful suggestions on how to improve your performance and leave a first-rate impression. After they are through with you there is no way that you will be turned down for the position! However, for those of you who are preparing at the last minute and need some quick advice, here are my top ten tips for the big day: 10. Do your
research. Know everything you can about the organization
and the position and come prepared with at least 5 knock-out questions to
ask the employer. You should also take advantage of the on-line resources available through Maxwell's Career and Alumni Services Office. For example, browse the flyer they have put together on the 50 Commonly Asked Interview Questions. Many employers will request that
include information about your salary requirement in your application
materials. You should include your salary requirement in your cover
letter if they request this information. This should be in the last
paragraph where you discuss the specifics (i.e. what information is
included, when you would be available for employment, how they can contact
you, etc.). You can write something like: "In response to your request, my
salary requirement is in the low-to-mid $30K range. It is negotiable
depending on the position requirements and benefits your organization
offers." Note that you should always give a range. Be as straightforward
as you can, but don't give any explanation. To determine what a reasonable
salary for this position would be, you should compare this position with
other similar ones that have the salary listed. There are also a myriad of
websites that will estimate the salary of a position for you. Here is one
example: Negotiating an offer - when the employer doesn't want to budge! So the market is bad and employers are not willing to offer the salary that you demand... do not fret! There are many other financial benefits that employers are still willing to negotiate. Here are a few examples: health insurance, vacation time, company policy regarding raises and bonuses, 401K plans and profit sharing. Other fringe benefits that you may want to ask about are compensation for travel expenses, gym membership, flexible working hours, etc. For more help on how to negotiate a salary and benefits package that you feel comfortable accepting, please contact one of the trained counselors at Maxwell's Career and Alumni Services Office. Whether the position is for an internship or a full-time job, you should make sure that this experience is worth the time and the money that you will be foregoing before you accept an offer. It is my experience that at this point many students will take whatever they can get, however you should keep a couple important things in mind before you commit to this position:
So you landed the coveted internship position...congratulations! Now you have to remember the one important thing that will ensure that this process will be easier the next time around...write your thank-you notes! This is one of the most effective ways to leave a good impression on the folks that helped you out along the way. Just send them a short, hand-written note thanking them for their help and letting them know where their help led you. Periodically, you should check in with these kind folk to find out how they are doing and whether they have any more helpful hints of advice. Your network of contacts will only remain strong through this personal, genuine interaction. Good luck!
Work Authorization for International Students - please read!!!! It is critical that international students on an F1 or J1 visa work with representatives at the Slutzker Center for International Services (SCIS) to obtain work authorization for internships or permanent positions in the U.S. prior to leaving campus. For students on an F1 visa, work authorization is given in the form of Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to those students who are pursuing a professional internship for credit. Authorization is obtained from SCIS in the following manner:
1. Attend a practical training seminar at
SCIS while on campus Please note that in order to complete the second step you must thoroughly prepare the appropriate documents. Please read the background notes and procedure instructions carefully, complete all forms and obtain recommendation letters and other items needed. You must make an appointment to have the documents reviewed. Obtaining work authorization is the responsibility of the student (that means YOU!) and not the responsibility of SCIS or the IR program. If you do not take this responsibility seriously you will jeopardize your immigration status.
Please visit the following URL for more
information on F1 CPT:
Students on a J1 visa must also obtain
work authorization for academic training (internship). Please
visit the following URL for more information J1 PT:
This page
current as of: August 11, 2008 |
