It’s the time of year to start looking for internships! The Office of Career Services, located in Reilly Hall, has lots of information and advice available to help you secure an internship. They are there to guide students throughout the process, helping students search, find, and secure an internship to boost their resume.
An internship doesn’t have to be found through the college, however. Some students take it on themselves to find an internship that works best for them.
We spoke to some upperclassman about their internship experiences and whether they had any advice to impart.
Allison Herholtz ’14 – LSPB President
Marketing and Business Analytics Major with minor in Communications
Where did you intern, and what did you learn from the experience that you wouldn’t have learned in a classroom?
I have had three [internships]. SyracuseFirst, Glyphr, and the Rescue Mission. I learned cold calling, brand selling and time management.
Do you feel that it is important to do an internship?
I think an internship gives you real life experience that you need when applying for jobs after graduation. Experience is definitely something that a lot of companies look for even in entry level positions. I also think they are helpful because it gives you some direction to go in after graduation. They give you the chance to try a bunch of different opportunities without really having to commit long term.
Did you enjoy your internship experience?
As a whole my internships were okay. I wish I was given more direction in each case as all of my internships were pretty relaxed and lacked structure. Overall I am glad I did them because it did give me insight into what types of companies I would like to work for and the type of work I would like to be doing upon graduation.
James Cochran ’14 – Integral Honors student.
English and Religious Studies major
Where did you intern and how did you get your internship?
I interned with Interfaith Worker Justice and was placed at the Workers’ Center of Central New York. I found my internship online through internship databases. I applied to twenty internships, and heard back from three. For this internship I was interviewed over Skype and notified a couple of days later that I was selected.
Was your internship a helpful and positive experience?
Yes, the internship was a positive experience. I learned more about social activism, community organizing, and immigration reform. I also developed connections with local and national religious leaders and social activists which I hope will prove useful in my future career.
What did the school do to make your internship easier?
Although the internship was unpaid, I applied for and received a grant through the McDevitt Center at Le Moyne which helped fund my living expenses and made the experience more enjoyable. I know that the McDevitt Center offers a few grants every year. The deadline is April 21, I recommend that people apply. It was very helpful.
James Butler ‘14 – Co-President of LCTV
Communications and English major
Where did you intern and what did you get from the experience?
I interned at Syracuse Chiefs as a video production intern. The most valuable thing I drew from it was learning how to run multiple sources to the scoreboard/stream and knowing that Le Moyne taught me what I need to know to assist in such a production.
What advice would you give to others trying to get an internship?
For those trying to find one, I’d tell them to list their dream jobs out in front of them. With those laid out, see if their workplaces are looking for interns or if not what local ones you could get that would apply to that dream job.
Did you enjoy your internship?
Despite the late hours from games that went over 9 innings, I enjoyed my internship. It helped that I enjoyed production and watching baseball.
Noble Levesque ‘15
Business Analytics and Management and Leadership major
Where did you intern?
I interned at Muka Development Group, LLC located in Freehold New Jersey. [Where] I was able to get a front row seat to see how some of the largest precast companies in the country utilize Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). I was able to build a network with our clients which is essential to providing customer support.
How did you get your internship?
I had interned last summer with one of their clients. I was getting the client up and running on the ERP system and at the conclusion of the summer Muka asked if I wanted to come [and] work for them.
Did you enjoy your internship experience? And would you recommend that others did internships?
I am currently still working for them and I have really enjoyed the experience. I would definitely recommend that others do an internship because it adds a lot of value to what you learn in the class room. I am able to take things I learn and apply them to both my school work and the internship.
Jessica West ‘14
English Major
Where did you intern?
I am currently an intern at the Disability Support Services Office here on Campus, working with Roger Purdy.
What would you say to others trying to find their internships? What advice would you give?
Put yourself out there. Ask anyone and everyone, especially people you know. Look for the small places that have more to do with what you want to do in the future, because you may never know what experience you can gain.
Who was your most helpful contact in obtaining your internship?
My most helpful contact was Liz McCaffrey because she was the one who said I should look into getting an internship in the first place. She helped me get into contact with everyone I needed to in order to get my internship.
Have you enjoyed your internship experience?
I love it. I have been able to learn a lot and gain a ton of experience that will help with my future schooling and career in helping those with disabilities.
Rebecca Wolf ‘14
Management and leadership and Information systems dual major
Where did you intern and did the school help you get your internships?
I have interned at Home Headquarters Inc., Saab Sensis, and Lockheed Martin. The school provided me information about career fairs where I went and handed out my resume. Also, Dr. Grabowski helped me by sending out internship opportunities. She was one of the main people to help find internship opportunities.
What was the most valuable thing you learned from your internship experience?
The most valuable thing I have learned from my internship experience is that hard work does pay off. I have found the more that you do people recognize it and appreciate all that you do. Also, I learned that what you do in your past helps opportunities arise in the future.
Why do you think it is important to do an internship?
I think it is important to complete an internship because it shows you what a real world job is like and it allows you to determine what you like doing or not.
Did you enjoy your internship experience?
I did enjoy all my internship experiences and they all taught me something valuable