Peer Corner

How to find the right summer program or internship!

So as I am in middle of the second semester of my junior year, I realize it is now time to secure a job or internship for the summer. I also imagine that many of you are in the same boat! While there are endless opportunities, my dilemma is related to finding the right one that is suited to my interests at this point. I want to find a program that will allow me to explore my interest in public health, so I started with the internet which included conducting a Google search and of course utilizing CalJobs.  Networking and attending career fairs are other great internship search strategies that may present some opportunities for you. By conducting my own search, I found that there are many different types of programs ranging from paid to unpaid, local to non local. There are several factors to consider when selecting the right summer program, however, these are choices that each of us must make based on our current needs and goals. If you are fortunate enough to be able to volunteer or pay for your stay in another geographic location, then you may be broadening your search for opportunities. If not, don’t sweat and keep looking locally. Ultimately this process is about finding the best match for YOU. Although my internship search has been time consuming thus far, I have discovered three public health-related programs that I think I will benefit, learn, and grow from. Applying to a variety of different programs and positions will allow you to have a choice and a backup if needed to ensure you can land an excellent internship. With this said, I’ll be finished applying soon, so wish me luck!

For those of you who are seeking assistance with your own internship or job search, you can stop by the Career Center to meet with a Peer Advisor for drop-in counseling. Our hours are from 12-4pm Monday-Thursday, and 12-3pm on Fridays. We look forward to helping you find success!

by Peer: Erica McClanahan: 3rd Year, American Studies

 

Highlight: @Cal Career Network

        While the Career Center offers many great services to students, I wanted to specifically highlight the @ Cal Career Network because many of you may not be familiar with this helpful resource. This network is a database of Cal alumni who have volunteered to be available to share their career experiences and give advice to students and other Cal alumni. The @ Cal Network allows you to gather information about specific occupations or industries as you develop and explore in your career path. This is a great way to explore career options and gain insightful advice about career choice, job searching, or graduate school. You can search through the database to find someone that matches your interests, and then contact that person to set up an informational interview.  It is important to note an informational interview is not an actual job interview, and similarly the Network is not meant to be used to ask for jobs.  However, these conversations with alumni can help you to explore options and understand what particular positions and fields entail.

          After you find an appropriate match on the Network, note the method by which the alumni wishes to be contacted, and be clear about the information that you will be requesting in the informational interview. Remember when you are introducing yourself to mention your interests and your current activities, whether in school or at work.  You also want to be enthusiastic and professional! During your interview be conscientious with the person’s time (usually 20-30 minutes is good), and do your homework and prepare questions beforehand so you can be efficient with the time allotted.  Let the person you are interviewing guide the length of the interview.  In respect to the preparation of the interview, make sure you research the person’s organization and the questions you would like to ask. These questions can range from hearing this person’s individual career path, gaining insight into tips and steps for the job search, learning about career fields and industries, as well as gaining insights into specific job positions.

A couple of other things to keep in mind are the following:

• Have a resume prepared   so that you may be able to provide a copy to your contact to give them   a good sense of your background.
• Generally business   casual will be the attire of choice when meeting someone in their workplace.   However, be mindful of the work environments you will be visiting as   some places will be more formal and others more relaxed. To be sure,   you can ask your contact what the dress style is at their office.
• In terms of confidentiality,   make sure to respect the information your contact will be giving you   and reflect on the appropriateness of disclosing information to others.
• Express your gratitude   for their time and send them a thank you note afterwards!
• Follow up with your   contacts so that you may be able to build a relationship and possibly   use them in the future as they are now part of your professional network!

Hopefully these tips will help you feel confident to start using the @ Cal Career Network!!!

by Peer:
Jessica Parra-Fitch: 3rd Year, International Political Economy and Anthropology

The Importance of Taking Initiative

For some people, applying for a job or into a volunteer program can be intimidating.  As undergraduates, we often underestimate our qualifications and abilities to interact in a professional setting.  In addition, application processes can be rather competitive, stimulating a sense of fear that inhibits some of us from even taking a chance to showcase what we have to offer to a valuable employer.

In my experience, I have found that taking initiative relives the pressures of competitiveness when applying for any type of position.  For example, when I discovered my passion to become a pharmacist, I quickly found the opportunities available to gain hands-on experience in a retail setting.  When I found out that Elephant Pharmacy had an opening for the summer, I applied immediately, but was turned down due to the high volume of applicants.  Although I was stressed and disappointed over this rejection, I continued to visit Elephant Pharmacy throughout the fall semester.  Even though there were no openings at the time, I would drop off an updated copy of my resume and happily speak with the pharmacist, expressing my interest in their volunteer program.  By having this personal interaction, I was able to put a face to my resume.   In addition, I knew a couple of volunteers at Elephant Pharmacy and used my networking skills to ask them more about the program.  I would ask the volunteers for tips about qualities that the pharmacy manager looks for in their candidates, updates for further openings, or even to possibly recommend me to the program and put in a good word for me to the pharmacist.

When the spring semester arrived, I applied once again.  This time, the pharmacist immediately exclaimed, “Hey I remember you, you look really familiar! I think I’ve seen you here before…”  Before I knew it, I landed my volunteer position at Elephant Pharmacy and stayed there throughout the summer.  It was an experience I will never forget, and I was happy to know that my patience, persistence, and initiative paid off in the end!

by Peer: Pam Mendoza: 4th Year, Molecular Cell Biology

Internship Etiquette!

Well some of you are probably thinking that once you have landed the perfect internship, that the hard part is over. Although this may be partly true, you want to shine during your entire internship experience and maintain a positive, professional momentum. When I held my internship at Kaiser Permanente my summer entering Cal, I tried my best to go above and beyond what might have been expected of me. Whenever I was asked to do a task or project, I made sure that I fully understood the task and completed it within a fair amount of time. I also took opportunities to share my ideas and input when I thought my perspective could be valuable or needed. Let’s face it - many employers and professionals may identify us as the “You Tube generation”, and we have unique skills, perspectives, and insights to offer companies!

Here are some tips to help you excel and standout in your internship:

1) Dress for success! If the company you are interning for has a casual dress code, kick it up a notch to standout and to reinforce how serious you are about the position.

2) Avoid Slacking! You want to show that you are just as capable of completing projects and tasks as the regular employees (i.e. opening up the door for a potential job offer in the future!)

3) Be on time! Enough said about that. Nothing is worse that a late and undedicated intern.

4) Ask for extra projects and opportunities to get involved! The best internships are those that allow you to job shadow other professionals, get deeply engaged in the activities of the company, and get a true sense of what employment is like in a given profession. Don’t be afraid to ask for opportunities to get involved with projects and experiences that will enhance your internship experience and professional development!

If you follow these suggestions, along with incorporating your own ideas of what a “perfect intern” looks like, I assure you not to worry; even if it feels like your hard work may go unnoticed, it could very likely pay off in the future when you may be extended a permanent job opportunity! Happy Interning!

For additional assistance, check out http://internships.berkeley.edu

by Peer: Erica McClanahan: 3rd Year, American Studies

It’s ALL about who you know

Ever since I was a freshman, I was always told that networking was crucial for my professional and academic development. Basically when it comes down to it, networking is all about who you know. I have to say that I deeply underestimated the value of networking until I actively experienced it and its benefits this past summer during my internship in Washington, D.C. I was working in the Organization of American States (OAS), the oldest international organization, under their Young Americas Business Trust (YABT) which strives to improve the social and economic development of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Aside from the fact that I had an amazing experience working with professionals from around the world and making a difference at the same time, I found myself in the midst of networking every single day. YABT has many programs it undertakes in countries all over the Americas and many times works in conjunction with other international organizations, banks, non-profits, private companies and governments to implement them. Therefore our office constantly experienced visits from members of our partner organizations, as well as ambassadors and interested investors. Fortunately, YABT did a great job in incorporating interns in almost all aspects of its inner working and I was able to meet people every single day. Furthermore, the OAS, along with the organizations within their network, held many special events, fundraisers, parties, and celebrations. This was another opportunity to extend my network.

Through these experiences I not only met interesting people but also learned the ins and outs of the working world and the many opportunities that are out there. At the end of my internship I was very well aquatinted not only with my staff but with many of our partner organizations as well. It’s funny too because even when I did not want to network and just have a good time, I was still in the middle of networking partly because I had my own Berkeley network in Washington. I was there as a Cal in the Capital student and knew my fellow students really well. I had a good group of friends and we took every chance to explore the city and have fun. Almost every day after work we would head out for happy hour before going out, by the way happy hours abound in Washington especially in the summer when it is full of interns so it gets really fun! Even when we were out of work and were trying to enjoy our free time, we would meet people and the typical questions would arise. Where do you work? Oh, and what do you do there? You’re a student, where and what do you study? Etc.

I have to admit at times these questions got old, especially when my friends and I just wanted to have some fun after work. However, these pseudo networking events became so normal to us it was like I had my professional “on” switch all the time. Through all of this, not only did we get the occasional “ins” to the best clubs, but most of my friends and I met people who were working in our dream jobs. The best thing is that they were all happy to tell us how they got there and what to do and not to do in order to get there ourselves one day and be successful. Overall I came out of my Washington experience almost a pro at networking and with valuable business cards that I have already used and will use in the future. So now that you have an illustrated idea of the benefits of networking here are some tips on socializing to get that job you want:

• It’s not scary because you are basically making light conversations to foster connections with people in order to have them as contacts and leads.
• Take the initiative and introduce yourself to people. Remember to be attentive.
• Create and practice your self-introduction. Think of it as your mini commercial, remember, you are selling yourself.
• Be yourself and relaxed. I like to think of it like a conversation with that cool aunt I haven’t seen for a while but that still doesn’t know all my business. You don’t want to come off uptight or nervous just cool, collected, and interesting so that they remember you.
• Be polite and respectful. Although I never thought I had to be professional at a bar, you really need to remain professional at all times. You never know who you might meet (I actually started going out with my supervisors a lot at the end of my internship), so you always want to maintain professionalism even when having fun.
• Keep a good sense of humor!
• Network with everyone! Classmates, GSI’s, faculty, roommates, neighbors, co-workers, family members, former teachers or advisors, really anyone and everyone!
• Use Berkeley as your starting point. There are many great resources on our campus, including the Career Center’s @Cal Career Network
• Keep a positive attitude and it is likely that your networking will pay off!!!

by Peer:  Jessica Parra-Fitch: 3rd Year, International Political Economy and Anthropology

Getting the Most out of an Internship

It was my first day on the job at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, setting up for the first home game of the season. I was 18 years old, the youngest intern for the Golden State Warriors Community Relations Internship. I made sure to arrive early in order to make a good impression. If there’s anything important about the business world that stuck with me, it is the rule that arriving on time is actually considered late, while arriving early is actually on time! After getting off BART, I placed my media pass around my neck and walked through the back entrance with confidence. My polo shirt looked fresh and I was looking presentable for any situation. As a curious individual, I quickly had the urge to explore the entire arena and figure out how to get around. Luckily, I had time to spare and I even made a few friends with some of the employees and guards. When my supervisor walked up to our event table, she was glad to see I was ready to go with no hassles or late excuses. Another important key to a successful internship is making a good first impression. The first impression is the one that usually lasts the longest and sticks in people’s minds. 

With any big internship, the new people often must start from the bottom and work their way up. My first set of tasks seemed remedial and included carrying boxes, making runs, and watching the merchandise we were auctioning. After proving myself during the first couple weeks, I was easily completing all the tasks they had given me with ease. My hard work paid off when my supervisor asked me to start doing outreach. This is the time where my true talent was able to shine. It was my job to get fans interested in our auction table and getting them to bid on items. With signed jerseys, team balls, and historical memorabilia, it was an easy sell. My enthusiasm and consistency with bringing new fans to the table really showed my supervisor and the other interns that I was serious and eager for success. The third key step for a great internship experience is to go above and beyond what is asked of you so that it doesn’t start to feel like clockwork. With an unwavering work ethic, it is almost as if you can shape your internship into the unique experience that you desire it to be. A successful work history gives you leverage to ask for new challenges or to get creative with your internship by breaking outside the mold. 

Even though I was the youngest intern, my confidence, timeliness, and hard work set me apart from the rest of the interns. Just following these simple steps allowed me to create a good rapport with many advisors and managers – the individuals that had the potential to hire me in the future, or to connect me further with the Golden State Warriors or with the sports world in general. My last, but probably most important step into getting the most out of your internship is networking. All of your hard work won’t mean anything unless you leverage it and use the experience to create strong connections. Be assertive; introduce yourself with your first and last name, your school, and which department you are interning for. Employers and supervisors like to see these kinds of professional gestures, which will help to open new doors and future opportunities. When you meet influential figures within the company, ask for a business card and make sure to follow up with an email.

Here is a review of the key steps to getting the most out of your internship:

1. Timeliness/ Make a good first impression   
2. Explore opportunities and meet new people outside of your department
3. Go above and beyond what is asked and get creative 
4. Be assertive and network/Make important connections

by Peer:

Charlie Fyffe: 2nd Year, Undeclared

 

Job and Internship Interviews: Preparation Should Go Beyond Just Behavioral Questions

If you’ve ever prepared for an interview, you have probably rehearsed responses to the inevitable inquiries: “What’s your greatest strength?” or “Tell me about a time when...”. When I interviewed for an internship with an interactive advertising agency in San Francisco last year, I did just that.  I had well-constructed answers with specific examples and measurable successes. I abided by C.A.R.E. (Context, Action, Result, Experience) and used every response to explain why I felt I was perfect for this particular position.

When I arrived at the red brick office for my final interview, however, all of my preparation went out the window (along with my chances of landing the internship). The interview was nothing like I expected! The receptionist put me in an office, which is where I spent the next two hours talking to four different Account Managers. Not one Account Manager asked me about my “greatest strength”—I was horrified! Instead, three of them struck up normal conversation with me. They asked me what I did in my spare time, what I knew and liked about the online marketing industry, and how I was enjoying my coursework at Cal. Caught off guard by their lack of formality, I gave brief, stiff answers and did not demonstrate my passion for the industry. I told them that I eventually wanted to start a magazine, but I did not tell them that I knew the basic principles of search engine marketing. Two weeks later, I got word that I didn’t get the position.

So, how do you prepare for interviews of this nature, i.e. ones that are more unstructured and casual?? In this particular case, the company initially conducted a phone interview to screen me as an applicant. It was during the phone interview that the recruiter posed the typical behavioral questions. The next round (in-person) interview was merely to see if my personality was a match for their company culture. They knew that I was qualified for the position, based on my resume, cover letter, and phone interview. Therefore, the goal for the final, in-person interview was to see if I was mature and confident, a good communicator, and knowledgeable about and genuinely interested in their industry. The way I look at it, in that stage, I was applying for the position based solely on my personality.

Having used that first interview as a great learning experience, I applied to the same company six months later. I prepped myself to be friendly, to make the interviewers feel comfortable, and to be talkative and open. I also: (1) learned the specific functions of the different departments of the company, (2) familiarized myself with the work they completed for their clients, and (3) studied the latest trends of the search engine marketing industry. As a result, I was able to ask intelligent questions and helped the conversations to thrive. My natural, genuine personality showed through and they loved me! This time around I got the position, just be being prepared to be myself.

by Peer: Danielle Leslie: 5th Year, Rhetoric

At the Career Fair: Approaching Employers

After celebrating with friends and family, and gaining 5-10 pounds after the holidays, it soon will be time to get back to Cal for yet another semester. On the docket for this Spring are numerous Career Fairs that present great opportunities for finding that perfect job, internship, or simply more information about your interests from various industry professionals. However, Career Fairs can be quite tricky and intimidating for many. You walk into a room to find dozens of employers, hundreds of Cal kids in full banquet attire running around from table to table, and lines that look like there is a bread shortage in the country. Don’t be alarmed – the Career Center is here to help you prepare for a successful Career Fair experience! Here are some personal thoughts to keep in mind to help you successfully navigate these events:

First off, completely forget about all the other Cal students; none of them are going to give you a job/internship, so worrying about what they do is completely irrelevant to your objectives. Come prepared, bring resumes, dress reasonably (no sports attire, but full prom regalia is not necessary either-you’re in college after all!). You can go online in advance to sneak a peak at the employers who will be in attendance, which will save you time so that you can approach those you are interested in first. For those individuals who have specific interests in terms of what they are looking for, zero in on those employers. Assuming you have specific interests for a valid, well-developed reason, you should have no problem initiating conversation, “Hello, my name is X, I am extremely interested in Y.” This is usually enough to get the ball rolling. If you are not sure of your specific interests, you can go the route of asking the employers about the kinds of opportunities they offer. Always inquire if the employer will be wiling to look/take a resume. Some will refuse due to their policy (don’t take it personally), but some will happily accept them. Employers accepting resumes usually make notes about your conversation on the resume so they can remember you. This is a great way to leave a personal impression, but also make sure to grab a business card as well to follow up with a brief “thanks for chatting with me at the career fair” note.

It is always important to remember that the employers are people too, and chatting with them as such is a big plus in your exploration process. Ask them what they do for the company specifically; some may hold positions that will give you more material for conversation. I once started a great conversation with an employer because of the free umbrellas they were handing out at their table……I mean who doesn’t want a free umbrella? If you stand there and list off questions as if you were a futuristic automaton devoid of any pretence at a human conversation, the employer might be put off. If there is a gigantic line to speak with someone popular, and of interest to you, try and wait it out or arrive early in the morning because as most of us know, Cal students are definitely NOT morning people.  Bring your resumes and your smile with a touch of human conversation, and you’ll be able to get the information you need and your name across which will hopefully get you to that next step. This next step is also something which you should ask about, as in “I’m really interested in the position (which we just talked about), what are the next steps?” Also check out this great ARTICLE and these general TIPS as well!

Good luck to all of you! Don’t forget to look at the list of upcoming Career Fairs for the Spring and mark your calendars now! And remember, if you have any questions at all, please post them in “comments”. We Peer Advisors are here to help!

by Peer: Andrew Neginskiy: 4th Year, Psychology 

 

 

Second Round Interviews at the Googleplex

It was 7:30 on a Friday morning when we piled into the Google shuttle and were off to its headquarters in Mountain View for the second round of interviews. This was extremely convenient given that it’s quite a way from UC Berkeley campus, and their shuttle service takes all of its employees to and from work from all around the Bay Area. After the comfortable ride and dozens of worried and chatting hopeful students discussing their strategies for successful interviewing, we arrived. The day basically consisted of some presentations about the company, its benefits, specific position details, a round of interviews, and a great lunch.

In the past Google has been famous for an extremely grueling interview process, consisting of upwards to 16 interviews! Luckily, these days they have cut it down quite a bit, to around 4. Honestly, having to have to get up at 6:30 in the morning for the first time in 4 years, I was extremely happy about this development! I was interviewing for a People Operations Associate position, so the interviews were behavioral. In these types of interviews be prepared to talk about your experiences, professional and academic, and site specific examples of situations that demonstrate the qualities that the position demands. It was very similar to the first interview I had on campus, and the people were extremely friendly, open, and easy going.

To top off the day we had one of those famous Google meals, and it was simply delicious. But more importantly, at each of our tables were recent Google employees who were there to answer any of our questions and give us insights into the company we couldn’t get anywhere else. In fact, any time you have a meal in a professional setting, especially with recently hired representatives, it’s a great opportunity to network and get all your questions answered at the same time. After the meal and a tour of the Googleplex, which includes kitchens on every floor, a volleyball court in the courtyard, pool tables and video games spread out conveniently around every corner, it was time to head back.

The important thing to remember is to always ask when you will be hearing about the results of your application, and feel free to contact the employer after a period of time they specified. After a couple of weeks and no word, I contacted the recruiter and was happy to learn that I was offered a position!

My top 3 tips for preparing for behavioral interviews:

1) Do your research: Know the company, their culture, the position & its requirements, how your experiences match them and be prepared with specific examples.
2) The whole process is an interview: all of your interactions with recruiters, from greetings to conversations about the position to the actual interviews, should be considered part of the interview process. Always put your best foot forward accordingly.
3) Ask a lot of questions: The interview process goes both ways, you must evaluate the employer just as you are being evaluated by them. Get a really good impression of what working for a company will actually be like, day to day-if you get the position it will be a big part of your life for its duration, so you want to make sure you will enjoy it.

by Peer: Andrew Neginskiy: 4th Year, Psychology 

Interviewing with Google

I had to double check my screen on CalJobs a couple of times before I believed it. I had recently applied to several positions at Google through the Berkeley On-Campus Recruiting (OCR) system and was invited to the first round interviews at the Career Center for one of them! Now keep in mind that I am a Psychology major, so the position I was interviewing for was a non-extremely-genius-technical one, and having grown at an immense rate over the last few years, Google has plenty of those. However, I was still going to be interviewing at one of the toughest places in the world to get a job, known for their eccentric interviewing processes; therefore I had to get prepared!

One of the key aspects to the process of interview preparation, for a position at any company for that matter, is to do some research online! I browsed the site, especially the ‘about us’ section and jotted down all of the things that made the company special, interesting, successful, etc. Also, knowing exactly what the place you are applying to does,i.e its products, clients, competition, etc., is always a plus. Lots of this information can be found on the Career Center website, through industry catalogs, or by simply taking a look at the books available at the Center’s information lab library.

My interviewer turned out to be extremely easy going, friendly, and personal-albeit a Stanford graduate! The position I was applying for was in the People Operations Department (aka. HR department) and the interview was mostly behavioral, so we chatted about academics, work experiences, etc. Having done research about the company and given lots of thought about my academic/work experiences before hand, I was able to engage the interviewer and really have a positive two-sided conversation about the position. I must say it definitely paid off in the end-a week later I was invited for the last round of interviews at Google headquarters in Mountain View!

Stay tuned, next week I will take you inside the Googleplex for a first hand look at the second round interviews with Google…

by Peer: Andrew Neginskiy: 4th Year, Psychology 

Cal Transitions Blog!

Cal Transitions, UC Berkeley's WorkAbility IV program, represents a select group of students and recent Cal graduates who have disabilities. Cal Transitions connects qualified, experienced and diverse candidates with employers interested in enriching their workforce by hiring the best.

Check out this great blog run by our colleague peer Katherine who works with the Cal Transitions Pro gram!There's also a Facebook page to look at if you're interested.

Katherine's Corner!

Internships: What a perfect time to conduct informational interviews!!!!

Informational interviews can be conducted anywhere, anytime, and with anyone.  Yes it’s true! They can happen at your very own convenience without the jitters and nervousness that you may get in a formal job interview.

Informational interviews serve to help you get more information through asking all the questions(This can be link to the career center website info interview questions) that you search endlessly for on the internet. An informational interview is an informal conversation with someone working in an area of interest to you who will give you information and advice. It is an effective research tool in addition to reading books, exploring the Internet and examining job descriptions. It is not a job interview, and the objective is not to find job openings.  “Interview can be a scary word, but don’t fret! With a little research and preparation ahead of time, you can set the stage for a fun and beneficial interaction with a key contact in your targeted field.  You only have to ask the questions that you want and that would be beneficial to you. What better place to do this than in your current place of work or internship/volunteer setting! Hopefully you will be working in a setting that you’re interested in, but if not then you have the freedom to contact anyone that is working in a field or organization that you’re curious about.

In my case, a hospital was the perfect place. There were so many different positions to learn about and explore; sometimes positions that I wouldn’t have even thought existed in a clinical setting.  There, I was able to conduct informational interviews with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, and public health educator.  Through conducting these interviews I was able to find out all the information that I ever wanted to ask a doctor or pharmacist to gain a better understanding of their responsibilities, educational paths, and the pros and cons of their career.  And as a result, I was able to find a path that is well-suited for my interests – working as a public health educators in the clinical health setting.

Looking to connect with individuals in a field of interest, or seeking opportunities to explore career options?  Then consider applying for a Winter Break Externship!  Externships are a perfect opportunity to network and conduct informational interviews.

Read more about this great opportunity here:  http://career.berkeley.edu/Externships/Externships.stm

by Peer: Erica McClanahan: 3rd Year, American Studies

Dilemmas, Dilemmas!!!: How an internship can help you find your purpose

As I mentioned in my last blog entry, going into my first internship at Kaiser I was "absolutely sure" that I wanted to be a pharmacist. Now looking back on my experience, I'm so lucky to have had this internship, otherwise I wouldn't have found out what where my true passions lie.

My previous plan had been that I would go to Cal, major in some type of science and then become a pharmacist! Yay! Boy, was this an eye opening learning experience for me! While at my internship, I had the chance to interview doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and public health educators. While interviewing the pharmacist there, I realized that being a pharmacist was not a good fit for me. Through my internship I realized that a great deal of the work pharmacists are responsible for involved independent and isolated activities, such as counting and organzing prescriptions, and checking to make sure that the right medicine is given to each patient. Overall, I realized that pharmacy wouldn't allow me to interact with people as much as I actually would like, a value that is very critical to my career happiness and success. I am an extroverted person who loves working with people, so it was here that I decided that pharmacy was not the best fit for me. I would much rather love to have that one-on-one interaction with people everyday, which I why I made the switch to the field of public health.

I believe that public health will allow me to work with people as well as use the counseling skills that I have gained from being a peer advisor here at the Career Center. So, in the same way that my internship helped me to find my purpose and clarify my interests and goals, having a unique internship experience of your own can help you to find your purpose too!

by Peer: Erica McClanahan: 3rd Year, American Studies

Mentorship: An essential component of an Internship

So you're looking for an internship? You might be wondering why you need one. Well, my experience with internships has been pretty awesome. My eyes lit up as I saw the application for the Kaiser Summer Youth Program available here in the East Bay. I was so excited to apply for it. I was thinking of going into Pharmacy and I was motivated to find more out about it. When I was accepted into the position, I was ecstatic to be getting paid to learn about the healthcare field. This was everything a girl could ask for!

I began going to this program everyday and working with a registered nurse who mentored me, which is a necessary component of an internship. She made sure that I learned about everything I wanted to know related to health care, such as the stress of being a doctor and the dynamics of the clinical setting. I also had the opportunity to conduct informational interviews with clinic staff, and I was positively challenged in my work setting.

I can't express how important mentorship is when having an internship because it plays a great deal into, first, networking! The mentor may be able to help you out in the future if you maintain a good relationship with them. Also I still talk to her this day and she advises me on what to do regarding school as well as my personal life. She was really a person that I could call my mentor and this was one of the reasons why I am so glad I took the opportunity to do this internship. In addition I learned that the clinic staff is a team that works together to ensure the patient's optimal care and that the hospital setting can be very stressful, yet rewarding. 

Looking for assistance with your own internship search?  Then please visit http://internships.berkeley.edu, and also drop in to see a Peer Advisor at the Career Center! No appointment needed - we are here to help you Monday-Thursday from 12-4, and Friday from 1-4. Good luck!

by Peer: Erica McClanahan: 3rd Year, American Studies