i could type out a multi-page post here, but going to try to keep it short.
Finding an internship with a reputable corp. is
needed when it comes to specialized fields, like EE. The more time you have the internship, the more likely you are to have a job offer waiting after graduation. This very well could be a competitor to the company you had an internship with, while working toward your degree.
I've had room mates call or visit that are in situations that were unfathomable while in attendance. They studied, held a 3.x+ gpa and left the university without any type of criminal infractment mark on their record. They did everything "right", but opted to work little or work in a non-related field from their studies while in attendance.
When searching for an internship, search for one with pay! I know of only a tiny fraction of unpaid internships that panned out to be a good idea. The pay isnt likely anything to get excited about, or allow you to survive without student loans, BUT in the long run, it's well worth the experience and addition to a resume!
I was fortunate in my adventures to catch an internship at the end of my freshmen year. Was interesting! When I started, the employer didn't have a place for me to sit, so they quite literally put me in the closet. It was similar to Milton's in Office Space. I would enter the front of the building, walk through a large section of cubicles, through an installation room, then through an indoor/outdoor alley for a forklift to load/unload pallets, and finally into a closet filled with boxes, 2 server racks and 1/4 make-shift cubicle. When I started, it was November and quite cold outside, yet the heat from the servers kept the closet at a warm 83 deg. I found a box fan and propped the door open to the alleyway to pump in cold air from the outside. This seating arrangement lasted almost 3 months!!!
I started working on mission-critical projects in the spring, and at the end of the spring semester I was switched from the intern position to a permanent part-time; doing the same work. This entire time, I was working toward a AS in computer programming and could see a career ceiling. I began searching for options to gain a BS from several universities, doing a cost comparison between each. I visited 5 campuses in three states, and chose an out-of-state campus for several reasons.
- their out of state tuition was lower than the in state university I planned to attend.
- I was offered a scolarship which provided in-state tuition at an even lower cost
- I was provided free housing up to X dollars if I lived on campus
Upon telling my employer my plans, it was encouraging to hear them support my decision to complete a BS. I was shocked when they offered me the option to continue working for them while living in another state! I was provided a laptop and continued to work for them from my dorm with a maximum of 20 hours per week, unless prior approval was granted. In some instances, I was required to return for special projects or meetings, and each "break" I would return to the office.
The entire time I worked for them, I never received a raise. After graduation, I let them know my intentions to stay in the state I completed my BS from. I returned to their offices for a goodbye, thank you and farewell after working for them over the last few years. The first year after graduation was the toughest. I bounced between contract jobs that were well below my expected pay and experience. It was 14 months later, I applied for the position I wanted. The referrals and past experience, along with the degree, was key to getting the position.
Looking back, I had a few lucky breaks to get where I am today. There were struggles, and I passed a few opportunities that could have held a better short term future. I'm glad I held back from jumping on those and ate too many boxes of mac & cheese / ramen noodles.
bust your butt and get a paid internship with a major business!
chris<pixelmonkey>
