Summer and academic year work experience through an internship can be the most important thing you do for your future during all four of your college years. This page will help you get started.
For internships in the city of Syracuse, our office will find you what you want if there is one out there. Inform Professor Coplin preferably through email what you are looking for and for what period of time. He will put in you touch with either Michelle Walker or Carol Dwyer depending on whether you want to do research or direct service and administrative support. If you are in PAF 410: Government and Nonprofit Organizations or PAF 315: Methods of Policy Analysis and Presentation, we will find you one without contacting us.
During the summer or in one of the off-campus programs run by the SU, you need to pursue an internship as if you were applying for your first job. That means:
1. Figure out where you want to be and what you want to do
2. Start early—8 months before you want to begin you position
3. Conduct research through contacts, the web and books
4. Prepare a convincing resume
5. Send out letters 6 months before you want to begin your position
Chapter 13 in Ten Things Employers Want You Learn in College will give you detailed advice on how to find good work experiences of any kind and also how to succeed if once your land your position. (Available at the SU Library or in the SU Bookstore.) Here are some of the key resources for finding an internship:
Policy Studies Website: http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/paf/PolicyStudies.htm
Policy Studies Opportunities: http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/paf/PS%20Opportunities/Opportunities.htm
Donovan, Craig P. and Jim Garnett. Internship for Dummies.
Everett Public Service Internship Program (http://www.everettinternships.org).
Peterson’s Internships, 2003. New Jersey: Peterson’s Guides Inc., 2003.
The Riley Guide (http://www.rileyguide.com)
Rising Star Internships (http://www.rsinternships.com)
Internship Programs (http://www.internshipprograms.com/).
Consulting with Professor Coplin and Michelle Walker: We will be glad to help you find summer jobs and internships (and internships during semesters), but the research you do will be more important in most cases. Our students have had great success with the Everett internships so start with the web site. Then use one of the more general sites. After you have done your search and are able to be clear about what kind of position you want and where you want it (D.C. and NYC are most frequent), email Professor Coplin or Michelle Walker and present your plan.