Helping interns transition from campus to workplace

September 21, 2011 at 1:41 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment
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Coach Susan Sandberg

Susan Sandberg

The recent Labor statistics just came in, showing unemployment still at a flat 9.1%. On a positive note other statistics show that internships play a critical role in the job search. NACE found that employers will get approximately 40 percent of their new college hires for 2011 from their internship and co-op programs. Those student interns who become new employees have learned how to transition successfully from campus to workplace.

Here are a few tips to pass onto your current interns to maximize their chances of becoming part of that 40%:

  • Cell phone and email etiquette:  Your student interns may think that they should demonstrate ability to multitask by going to meetings, answering cell phone calls, and texting simultaneously. Neuroscientists report that humans can barely attend to more than one stimulus at a time and have extreme difficulty undertaking multiple tasks concurrently. Emphasize to your students that paying attention to your computer or electronic gadget while talking to someone is rude, regardless of the industry. As one business owner explained to his intern in his first hour on the job: “In a professional environment it’s never a good idea to ignore your clients, boss or anyone else when you’re having a conversation. Doing so says your time is more valuable than their time.”
  • Reality checks:  Rowan University journalism professor and internship coordinator Kathryn Quigley made a 4-minute movie about an aspiring journalism intern who doesn’t have any clips — he does, however, have a poem about death that he’d like to send to editors. Prof. Quigley says that she loves her students and they do well at their internships, but sometimes their questions before starting an internship just make her shake her head. She created the video to be funny, not mean, as well as to make a few points. “An internship is supposed to expand your world and teach you new things. Intern work is about learning, not showing off. Lower your expectations. You can do it – have a little confidence.” Your Career Center may not have such a video, but you could assign a mentor to each intern and set up an intern online chat room to encourage reality checks, helping interns transition more smoothly from campus to workplace.
  • Time Management:  You can support student efforts by providing them with a semester calendar and directions to fill in important dates such as class times and holidays as well as study hours.  They’ve probably already worked out their internship schedule to be compatible with class requirements. Let them know it would not be helpful to their future careers to keep changing the internship hours.  If necessary, suggest that your students delete activities and concentrate on their internships. If they’re having difficulties keeping a part-time job along with the internship, suggest financial aid options for them. Establish a set time for your interns to report their progress on their internships, whether it’s a weekly report or an online diary.

Guiding your students to fastest growing jobs

May 6, 2011 at 10:26 am | Posted in Job market | 1 Comment
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Susan Sandberg

CNNMoney reports a pickup of 216,000 jobs in March. The unemployment rate dropped to 8.8%, an entire percentage point lower than it was four months ago. Your students may want to know what are the hottest job growth areas, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Top 10 Fastest Growing Jobs with Bachelor’s Degree

1. Biomedical Engineers:  Biomedical engineers design, develop and evaluate devices, for example artificial organs, prostheses and instrumentation, and procedures, such as medical information systems and health management and care delivery systems.

2. Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts:  Network systems and data communications analysts design and evaluate network systems, for example, local area networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), and Internet systems.

3. Financial Examiners:  Financial examiners ensure that banks and financial institutions comply with the laws and regulations that govern them. They also make certain financial and real estate transactions are in compliance with laws and regulations.

4. Athletic Trainers:  Athletic trainers treat injured athletes and other individuals. They also teach people how to prevent injuries. Employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow by 37% through 2018.

5. Computer Applications Software Engineers:  Computer applications software engineers use different programming languages to design, construct and maintain software and specialized utility programs. They analyze users’ needs in order to do this.

6. Environmental Engineers:  Environmental engineers use engineering principles to solve environmental problems such as pollution. Employment of environmental engineers is projected to grow by 31% through 2018.

7. Computer Systems Software Engineers:  Computer systems software engineers build and maintain companies’ computer systems and plan their future growth. We can expect to see a 30% increase in the employment in this field through 2018.

8. Survey Researchers:  Survey researchers design or conduct surveys about people and their opinions. Employment in this field is expected to increase by 30% through 2018.

9. Personal Financial Advisors:  Personal financial advisors help people make investment decisions. There is expected to be a 30% increase in employment in this field through 2018.

10. Market Research Analysts:  Market research analysts conduct research and analyze data in order to help companies determine what products and services to sell, how much to charge for them and where and how to sell them.

 

Top 10 Fastest Growing Jobs with Post-Secondary Training or Associate’s Degree

1. Skin Care Specialists:  Skin care specialists treat their clients’ skin by giving facials, full body treatments and head and neck massages.

2. Dental Hygienists:  Dental hygienists provide preventative dental care and teach patients how to maintain good oral health.

3. Veterinary Technologists and Technicians:  Veterinary technologists and technicians assist veterinarians by conducting clinical and laboratory procedures in private clinics and animal hospitals.

4. Physical Therapist Assistants:  Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) perform a variety of tasks under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. These tasks include helping patients perform exercises, giving massages and administering electric stimulation.

5. Environmental Engineering Technicians:  Environmental engineering technicians assist environmental engineers in solving environmental problems, including pollution.

6. Occupational Therapist Assistants:  Occupational therapist assistants help clients with activities and exercises specified in a treatment plan developed with occupational therapists.

7. Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors:  Fitness trainers lead, motivate and instruct people in exercise activities. There is expected to be a 29% increase in the employment of fitness trainers through 2018.

8. Environmental Science and Protection Technicians:  Environmental science and protection technicians, working under the direction of environmental scientists, monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution by performing laboratory and field tests.

9. Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers:  Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers, commonly called HVAC technicians, install, maintain and repair heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

10. Paralegals and Legal Assistants:  Paralegals, sometimes called legal assistants, help lawyers with a variety of tasks, including preparing for trials, hearings and closings, doing research, and drafting legal documents.

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