Blog Archives
Salvador Espinoza: Making an IMPACT
Indiana INTERNnet celebrated internship excellence on February 7, 2018 at the 12th Annual IMPACT Awards Luncheon. Though the event is over and the winners have been announced, we are continuing to celebrate the nominees’ successes.
These are their stories.
Salvador Espinoza is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing from IPFW and is expecting to graduate in May 2019.
Indiana INTERNnet: As a Dekko intern for many years, how has your role grown since you first started?
Salvador Espinoza: Over the last several years, my role with Dekko has grown so much. It’s gotten to the point that I don’t even feel like an intern or a co-op student anymore. I really feel like a part of the company. It makes me happy to see projects that I’ve worked on actually be put into action and impact the company in some way.
I quickly went from data entry projects to creating social media strategies, doing market research projects for our products, creating video content, being a spokesperson for the company in many …
My Journey with Indiana INTERNnet
My journey with Indiana INTERNnet (IIN) started as a junior at IUPUI, searching for an internship. I was struggling to find an opportunity in the non-profit world that would allow me to remain financially stable. While EARN Indiana is a wonderful program to help students in similar situations, I was ineligible to receive the funds. It was fate that I found IndianaINTERN.net and its internship posting on the day of the application deadline. I immediately applied and came in for interview soon after.
This was my first and only college internship. While I loved my time with IIN, if I could go back, I would have definitely participated in more internships. It might sound cliché but finding a job after graduation is challenging. Take my advice and try to gain as much experience as possible to increase your chances.
During my internship, I wrote blog posts, managed social media and assisted with events. Unfortunately, my position came to an …
Shoshannah Bontrager: Making an IMPACT
Indiana INTERNnet celebrated internship excellence on February 7, 2018 at the 12th Annual IMPACT Awards Luncheon. Though the event is over and the winners have been announced, we are continuing to celebrate the nominees’ successes.
These are their stories
Shoshannah Bontrager received her Bachelor of Science in Business, with a concentration in Accounting and Finance from Grace College. Last year, she completed an internship with Poly-Wood, LLC.
Indiana INTERNnet: What did you like most about your internship with Poly-Wood, LLC?
Shoshannah Bontrager: I loved how involved upper management was with everyone. There are over 300 employees, but the CFO worked one-on-one with me, an intern, to teach me about how to create financial statements, GAAP rules, etc. The company also works hard to make the environment one where people love going to work, and they succeed!
IIN: What was the most challenging project you were assigned?
SB: While I …
Scoring Gold in Your Career
Athletes endure years of training to prepare for the Olympics; students do the same for their future careers. Through classes, homework and internships, you are improving your skills to advance in your industry. Here are some tips to help you score a gold medal in your career.
Pick the right sport.
If you’re afraid of heights, ski jumping probably isn’t the sport for you. There will be majors/fields that won’t be a good fit as well. You should determine what you like/dislike, the skills you have and research your options.
From my experience, I wanted to work in the healthcare industry, however science and math were not my strongest subjects in grade school. Once I started the coursework for radiology technology, I realized I needed to pursue a different major that better suited my skills. Writing was always my favorite subject; therefore I switched …
Graduate Assistant-to-Hire: Kenyari Keith
Kenyari Keith transitioned from graduate assistant to project coordinator for the business education and events department and the Wellness Council of Indiana at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. She is a graduate of IUPUI, receiving her master of science in event tourism in December 2017 and bachelor of arts in journalism with a concentration in public relations in May 2016.
Indiana INTERNnet: How did your graduate assistant experience prepare you for your current role?
Kenyari Keith: As a graduate assistant (GA), I developed several skills that I now use in my full-time role. As a GA, I assisted with the planning and execution of both on-site and off-site conferences and special events. I assisted our business education and events team in several areas such as speaker coordination, marketing, contracting and budgeting. I worked as the lead planner for Best Places to Work 2017 and the 2017 Environmental Conference. …
Celebrate Internship Excellence at the IMPACT Awards Luncheon
Join Indiana INTERNnet in celebrating internship excellence at the 12th Annual IMPACT Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Ivy Tech Community College. Check-in for the luncheon begins at 11 a.m. on February 7, and the program will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The IMPACT Awards spotlight the importance of internships and applaud the individuals who make these experiences meaningful and successful. Indiana INTERNnet will recognize nominees in the categories of Intern of the Year (high school, college and non-traditional), Employer of the Year (for-profit and not-for-profit) and Career Development Professional of the Year during the luncheon.
Chris Heeter, award-winning speaker and founder of The Wild Institute, will deliver the keynote address: Guiding the Team to Success.
Featured on The Discovery Channel’s National Geographic Today, Heeter brings decades of leadership experience indoors, working with teams and leaders to recognize that leadership and teamwork doesn’t have to be so complicated. She …
Dos and Don’ts at the Company Holiday Party
The time of year for company holiday cheer and festivities is here! That means opportunities to network with fellow co-workers, as well as opportunities to possibly embarrass yourself. Follow these dos and don’ts to avoid potential damage to your reputation.
Do: participate in holiday activities.
Each organization handles the holidays differently. Some may have activities throughout the season, while others may plan a low-key pitch-in. Whatever the case may be, you should get involved. If there’s a planning committee (and your internship supervisor approves), reach out to the leader and offer your help.
Don’t: be too competitive.
If your organization has games or other competitive activities, remember to stay professional. A little competitive spirit is okay in some situations, but don’t go overboard. For example, you shouldn’t scream “Loser!” in the vice president’s face. That could lead to an uncomfortable conversation with your internship supervisor or …
Video Interview Tips
Step aside in-person interviews, video interviews are becoming increasingly popular in today’s workforce. This technologically-advanced method is a time and cost saver for interviewers and interviewees. You should treat it as a traditional in-person interview, but with a few variations for before and during the meeting.
Tech Test
In preparation, you should test the technology you’re going to use for the interview far in advance (at least a few hours before). The interviewer will send instructions for joining the meeting, this may include a phone number in place of using computer audio. There are many different options for video conferences, so familiarize yourself with the correct one and download the necessary software installation or updates. If you choose to use your computer’s audio or a headset, be sure to test the microphone and speakers.
Image is Everything
In addition to testing your computer’s microphone and speakers, you should …
Indiana’s Best: Holiday Happenings 2017
With the growth of local pride and demand for “homegrown” products, there are many opportunities to experience true Hoosier culture. Whether it’s restaurants, attractions, shops or anything in between, we’ll showcase some of our favorite gems that make Indiana a great place to live and work.
It’s time for another installment of Holiday Happenings! As always, the season starts with a big spark at Monument Circle, the Circle of Lights. This tree-lighting tradition starts the day after Thanksgiving and ends on January 7, 2018. While the Soldier & Sailors Monument isn’t an actual tree, it does a great job of creating cheer for visitors throughout the holiday season.
There are plenty of other exciting holiday sites to see in the city, keep reading for a few new and traditional must-see events. Some of these organizations are offering internships (search on our site to find out)!
1 . Winterlights
Take a …
Wild about Workforce Development
On February 7, 2018, Indiana INTERNnet will celebrate internship excellence at the 12th Annual IMPACT Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Ivy Tech Community College. The program shines light on the importance of internships and applauds the individuals who make these experiences meaningful and successful.
Chris Heeter – award-winning speaker and founder of The Wild Institute – will deliver the keynote address, Guiding the Team to Success, complementing the luncheon’s Wild about Workforce Development theme. Featured on The Discovery Channel’s “National Geographic Today,” Heeter brings decades of leadership experience indoors, working with teams and leaders to recognize that leadership and teamwork doesn’t have to be so complicated.
Combining business expertise with hilarious stories from her sled dog team and experience as a whitewater trip guide. Heeter challenges and inspires organizations and individuals toward Wild leadership, compassionate presence and daring authenticity.
Gerry Dick, president/managing editor, Grow INdiana Media Ventures and host, Inside INdiana …
The Indiana INTERNnet Team is Thankful
In celebration of Thanksgiving, the Indiana INTERNnet team would like to share what we are thankful for in our careers.
Allison Gaffney
I’m thankful for my internship experience at Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis. During those three months, I was surrounded by passionate coworkers who were willing to help me develop the skills I needed for success outside of the classroom. I was entrusted to take on large tasks like creating a social media campaign for Giving Tuesday. This gave me a lot of confidence in my work, and I’ve been able to carry that over to my career with Indiana INTERNnet.
Karissa Rector
One thing I regret in my career is only doing one internship, however I am thankful that single experience transitioned to a full-time position. The opportunity has allowed me to further develop my skills and continually grow with Indiana …
Winter Finals Are Coming
It’s beginning to feel a lot like winter, and finals are coming. Since you don’t have dragons like Daenerys Targaryen, you’ll have to slay those exams on your own. Fear not, my friends, we have excellent tips to help you survive winter finals.
Prepare for Battle
Gather all of your class notes and study material and actually review it. If your professor provides a study guide, use it as a tool to map out your studies. You should schedule a few times for studying the week before the exam to prevent cramming it in the night before. Find a quiet spot in the library to study alone, or form a study group to divide and conquer the material.
Ask Questions
If you are struggling with a concept or think your notes might be incorrect, ask your professor or a fellow student. Some professors will …
Networking at Night
Most networking events are held during typical working hours (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). However, there are the occasional evening events. While some events may be more casual than others, it’s important to maintain a professional demeanor at all times. Check out these helpful tips for how to rock the room and make connections.
Cards for Contacts
Make sure you bring plenty of business cards, and can easily grab it out of your pocket or purse. You don’t want to be fumbling around in your jacket, or throwing things out of your purse to find a card. The business cards that you collect should also be put in an appropriate place.
Pro tip: Bring a pen to write notes about the conversations you had with people. If you don’t have a small notepad, you can write on the back of their business cards. Your phone is also a great …
Networking Nightmares
In celebration of Halloween, let’s discuss a few scary things that can happen while networking. These horrors can occur in person, phone, email or social media. It’s always best to double check any communication you’re sending and be prepared for conversation.
Social Media Scares
Social media can be a great way to network with professionals in your industry. However, you should be cautious with what you post, share and like. If you are posting negatively about a certain organization and then try to network with its employees, they could potentially read your rants. Also, not everyone has the same sense of humor, so be careful posts including jokes. Check your posts using the mom or supervisor test. If they might find it offensive or inappropriate, do not post it.
Freddy vs. Jason
Incorrectly addressing someone in a message can cause a gut-wrenching affect. It could happen accidently; maybe …