Tips for Pathway Experiences

About the modules:

The modules are designed to guide undergraduate students through the pre-internship process, from exploring ways to get experience in your field, to building a resume and cover letter, to making the most of the opportunity. Students completing the modules earn a digital badge to add to resumes and LinkedIn profiles. Badges will be awarded at the end of each semester.

Need help preparing for an opportunity like an internship? Start the Pathway Experience Preparation (PEP) modules to help put some PEP in your next career step and earn an undergraduate professionalism badge! 

Sign Up HERE 

Set Goals -  Find a time to meet with your supervisor at the very beginning of the experience to learn expectations they may have for you and to establish goals you would like to accomplish over the span of your time there. 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 whenever you start working somewhere new.  Watch and seek guidance from your colleagues and peers. What are the routines of the organization? Of the people? Read all organizational material, policies, and procedures, etc. 

Meet Your Coworkers -  Introduce yourself to everyone in your department. Get an understanding of what each employee does and exchange contact information (LinkedIn or Email). You never know when someone else in the company is doing something that might interest you later down the line. Building connections and growing your network is key for getting recommendations later on. The better job you do and the more familiar your supervisor and other employees are with your personality and your work, the stronger the recommendation.

Be Professional -  Be mindful of how you present yourself to your co-workers and supervisor. 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 so that your work is organized and out of the way when you are not around. If your organization keeps files/documents in central locations, take note and observe to maintain records in accordance with policy.

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 everything you’ve worked on to update your resume, add to a portfolio, or talk about 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 if you express your gratitude for the experience, tie up any loose ends, ask for feedback, 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 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!

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 on hand to research and locate your dream internship. 

Use the internship as a springboard into the working world by making an effort to develop what employers call soft skills or career readiness competency skills:

Career Readiness Competencies: