My Experience in SUU’s Professional Internship Program
Posted: October 18, 2022 | Author: Clare-Estelle Perkins | Read Time: 4 minutes
My name is Clare-Estelle Perkins, and I am an intern in the Marketing Communication Office at Southern Utah University. I am from Utah county, majoring in criminal justice with a minor in psychology. Putting myself through college, I knew I would need a job throughout the semesters. I applied for the Professional Internship Program through SUU’s Career and Professional Development Center in July 2022 and was assigned to be a writing intern for some of the school's blog posts and press releases. So far, I have been loving my internship!
The Professional Internship Program
Provided by SUU’s Career and Professional Development Center, the Professional Internship Program is a program that gives SUU students a one-semester paid internship and an online course on professionalism. You are given a mentor to help you learn on the job and keep track of your course progress. It also molds around your school schedule so that your academics come first. It’s a perfect fit for someone whose primary focus is schooling but who also wants to get ahead in the professional world.
The internship program course focuses on these eight professional competencies:
- Career and self-development
- Communication
- Critical thinking
- Cultural exchange
- Leadership
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
- Technology
Why I Love My Internship
I have been loving the internship program. I am learning skills I will use in any office I may work in throughout my life. I’ve discovered that the best way to learn is simply to do it. However, jumping right in is scary, and if you mess it up, it could feel more humiliating in a serious job. That's why the paid professional internship was the perfect solution for me. I am gaining experience without being thrown into an office job completely alone. I am in a situation where I know I am here to learn, and I have an amazing mentor whose job it is to teach me anything that I might need for the internship.
The online course provided by the Professional Internship Program is also very helpful. The assignments teach everything from how to leave a professional voicemail to how to be a better, more positive coworker. The course is full of tips and tricks to use in the workplace, which are also very helpful outside of the office. Things like professional manners and technical skills will help you be successful in all of your endeavors. I think they are universal skills that I will end up using in any job.
Mentors
The mentors are there to help with all the aspects of the internship. I ask my mentor all my questions and she also keeps tabs on me and where I am on the online course. The mentors are expected to help you learn the different competency areas for career readiness. I love my mentor. Having someone looking out for you makes the new job stress melt away. All the mentors know that we interns are here to learn, and they are so happy to help!
My Experience as an Intern
When I applied for the internship, I was asked to select three categories of internships I would be interested in. There are internships in various departments, from aviation to performing and visual arts. I wanted a job that could provide me with experience that would prepare me for the majority of corporate office jobs. My internship provides me with a universal base knowledge of professionalism needed for nearly any job and allows me to practice and improve my writing skills. My hours are molded around my class times, and my schedule is simple and consistent. It is also super nice to have some income as I go to school.
Internships That Fit Your Class Schedule
I started my internship just at the beginning of September, so I am still pretty new. I’ve been writing a blog post here and there and reworking some old posts. The workload has been moderate, I’m never stressed about having too many projects, but I always have tasks to keep me busy.
The online course is similar, I usually have a small assignment to do every day. Most of the assignments take about 10-15 minutes to complete, and they are simple but very helpful. In the course so far, I’ve done a lot of goal tracking and learned new tips here and there, like how to have a crucial conversation with coworkers and superiors. I am learning quite a bit about the little things that can go a long way in the business world.
I would recommend the Professional Internship Program to anyone looking for that doorway into the professional world. It is a great on-campus job opportunity that provides you with some income as well as an informative course on professional development. Get paid to take a class! You should apply to be an intern in the Professional Internship Program!
Tags: Student Life Career Center
