Tips for Pathway Experiences

Set Goals -  Meet with your supervisor at the beginning of the experience to outline their expectations  and to establish goals you would like to accomplish during the experience. Ask questions such as: What are you expected to accomplish every day? Every week?  Make sure to request feedback from your supervisor to make sure you are on the right track. 

Watch and Learn -  Understanding the culture of an organization is important when you start a new position. Observe and seek guidance from your colleagues. Read all organization material, policies, and procedures, etc. 

Meet Your Coworkers -  Introduce yourself!  Building connections is key to growing your professional network and exchange contact information with your co-workers (LinkedIn or Email). Your supervisor, coworkers, and other staff members may be more likely to recommend you for future opportunities if they are familiar with your personality and work ethic.

Be Professional -  Be mindful of how you present yourself to your supervisor and co-workers. What is the appropriate attire for your workplace? What is appropriate email etiquette for the person you are addressing? If you have a concern or there is an issue you are not sure how to handle, who is the most appropriate person to talk to?  And don’t forget the basics of common courtesy – be punctual, follow up, and follow through. 

Stay Organized - Take notes during meetings and keep to-do lists of tasks with deadlines. Keep your workspace neat, clean and organized. Make sure you are aware of all office policies in regard to accessing and/or sharing files and documents. When in doubt, ask for clarification.

Manage Your Time Wisely - Always complete projects on time, and when one task is done – ask for another. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with projects, talk to your supervisor about prioritizing your work.

Keep Track of Your Projects - Start a list of all the projects you have worked on so that you can discuss and reflect on your progress with your supervisor. It will also help you remember the details when it's time to update your resume, add to a portfolio, or talk about projects in a future interview. Ask if you can keep examples of projects you have worked on for a portfolio. Remember that some of this information will be confidential, so always get approval before taking any copies of work with you.

Leave on a Good Note -  Be sure to express your gratitude for the experience, tie up any loose ends or leave detailed notes on projects that were not completed, and if you had a positive experience with the employer, make it known when you are starting the full time job hunt. 

Parker Dewey is a platform for students to apply for short-term, mainly remote, micro-internships and projects. These opportunities are all paid and range from five (5) to 40 hours of total work.

Micro-internships can help you:

• Explore potential career paths and industries
• Develop or hone a job-critical skill
• Make extra money over breaks or in between semesters
• Grow your professional network
• Enhance and expand your resume

Register for your account on Parker Dewey and start applying for micro-internships today!

Interested in having Pathways present for your student organization?
 Click here to get it set up!

Planning for an internship is appropriate at any time during your academic career. Job shadowing can be done as early as freshman year. Some employers require junior and senior students as candidates for internships, while others hire freshman and sophomores. These specifications vary by employer and by industry. Check with your academic department as some academic disciplines require an internship, practicum or student teaching during the last semester of senior year.

Meeting with a pathways representative to discuss possibilities is beneficial for learning about the many resources to research and locate your dream internship. 

Use your pathway/internship as a springboard into your full-time career path by making an effort to develop what employers call soft skills or career readiness competency skills:

Career Readiness Competencies: