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Maureen graduated from Bucknell University in 2011 with a degree in Economics. Directly after college, she began as a Campus Recruiting Coordinator at Barclays Investment Bank and soon after was the technology campus recruiter responsible for all software engineering hiring in the U.S. After three and a half years at Barclays, Maureen joined Blackrock and was there for a year and half as the campus recruiter aligned to all the BlackRock Solutions businesses. Currently, Maureen is a Campus Recruiting Specialist at Dataminr, a tech firm located in New York City.
An internship is really a two way interview. While the company might be assessing you to see if you’re a fit for a full time job, you should also be assessing the company to figure out if this is the industry and role you see yourself in after graduation. The wonderful thing about internships is that they allow you to get a lot of industry exposure in a short amount of time. Here are a few tips to make sure you use that time wisely!
1. Meet everyone!
Since you’re only joining a company for a short amount of time it’s important to meet as many people as you can. You will have exposure to your manager and team, but also be sure to use this time to meet other managers and individuals from other teams to learn more about what they do. Always follow up, if someone tells you to put some time on their calendar to grab coffee – make sure you do it!
2. Ask questions!
I know this one seems like a no brainer, and you hear it all the time, but asking questions is so important as an intern. When you are given an assignment ask clarifying questions so you understand the task, your responsibilities, when the project is due and who you should be working with. Additionally, during your internship you may have exposure to some senior leaders, do you research, read their bios and come prepared with questions for them.
3. Get feedback!
During the school year you’re used to getting graded on every assignment so you usually have a good idea of where you stand before grades come out. Internships are different, you won’t get graded on every email or project you complete. This is why it’s critical to ask for feedback along the way. Once a project is completed and a few times along the way it’s always a good idea to check in with your manager and teammates to see how you’re doing, what else you could do to improve the project and if they have any suggestions.
4. Be a team player!
Whether you’re interning at a large company that has hundreds of interns or you’re one of two interns at a small start up make sure you use your time there to pitch in and contribute. If you’ve finished a project talk to your manager or teammates to see who could use some help on an assignment. This is the best way to get the most exposure and be able to add value in a short time.
Enjoy your internship, meet as many people as you can and utilize your time to help decide what type of job you want after graduation!
Are you an undergraduate, graduate student, or MBA candidate interested in paid part-time jobs, full-time jobs or internships in the exciting world of Start Ups? Meet employers and explore opportunities at the NYU Spring 2016 Start Up Job Expo on March 31st, 4:00PM-6:30PM at The Wasserman Center. RSVP on CareerNet to learn more!
NYU Wasserman Blog 