Internships open doors, especially when the economy is down

In the presence of a less than stellar economy, what can you do to make yourself stand out from your peers?

I was listening to a story on NPR the other morning about how fewer employers are recruiting on campus, and how much harder it is for students to get jobs and internships with US employers. It’s times like these that make it especially important to make an investment in your future, and boost your resume with as much professional work experience as possible.

The economy is forcing companies to make difficult hiring decisions, so why not make it easier for them? Having work experience directly within your field of study while still an undergrad may set you apart, but by showing the initiative and confidence that it takes to live and work internationally will show prospective employers that you are the right candidate.

While the above will get you in the door, it’s up to you to nail the interview. Employers want a candidate that is sure of him or herself, can work independently yet also work well in a team. Your independence, confidence, and self-reliance will grow as a direct result of, for example, figuring out the public transportation system in a new city or having to ask for directions in a second language. Having the experience of working within an international and multicultural team prepares you to work all over the world, or right in your backyard as the world comes to you.

In this global and tight economy, you can’t afford not to undergo an international internship. This is an investment in your career and your future, and your opportunity to assist the recruiter in making the right decision: to hire you.

MOBILE EXPERIENCES

It is my firm belief that there are no straight roads in London, England. As a Global Experiences Intern, I walked the winding pavement of this glorious modern metropolis to my office at the British Museum everyday for nearly two months. Living in a circular city encourages you to find constants in your surroundings; the sixty-something spiced nut vendor in Russell Square, the monotone “Mind the Gap” announcement of the Underground train doors, and the lively Indian wedding music following you home on a Saturday afternoon.

Without even thinking about it, we insist on being creatures of habit, even as travelers. Researchers from the United Kingdom are tapping into one of the biggest constants in our lives: hello moto!

The whereabouts of more than 100,000 mobile phone users have been tracked in an attempt to build a comprehensive picture of human movements. Each time a participant made or received a call or text message, the location of the mobile base station relaying the data was recorded. According to Jonathan Fildes, reporter for the BBC News, this study concludes that humans are creatures of habit, mostly visiting the same few spots time and time again.

My advice to future interns: plug in but don’t tune out! Having your cell on hand can be a great travel resource, but it can also create a wall between yourself, potential connections, and independence. Here are some quick tips that helped me work wirelessly and wall-free:

• Use your laptop to purchase bus, train, or ferry tickets online. Ticket information can be sent to your cell phone. This makes drivers happy and gives you one less paper to carry around.
• Instead of calling the same number (mom and dad) each day, set a goal to get one new email or phone number each week. Okay, now I don’t mean a date, guys. I met all sorts of people by walking around college campuses, going to free community dance lessons, sitting near families in the airport, and talking with people on the train. Common interests can lead to job connections and more trips abroad!
• Wear a watch! So many of us keep our cell phones handy just to keep track of time. Stowing your phone away in a closed bag when walking the busy streets not only protects you from pick-pockets and running thieves, but it also encourages you to stay glued to your travel guide, not your Bluetooth.
• Fill that mobile with as many co-workers from your internship site as possible. Everyone needs a network of support, especially when you are hundreds of miles from everything you know. One call led to three hours cut from my travel time to Wimbledon!

It takes a lot of courage to let go of the familiar winding path of life and branch off into unknown territory. Be a creature of new habits and keep an open mind. Start by visiting the Global Experiences website for more information about London, as well as our other five global internship destinations.