How did you prepare for your internship search? What were some of the steps, i.e. fine tuning your resume, interview prep, etc.

I used the advisors at the UNH Career Center to help me change and modify my resume to highlight my strengths and accomplishments. I also used Wildcat Careers to search for internships that matched the type of experience I was looking for. The UNH Career Fair was also extremely helpful in meeting and connecting with employers, and setting up interview times. Before I had each interview, I researched the company I was interviewing for a position with, and came up with a few questions to ask my interviewer about the job. Researching the companies was definitely the most beneficial part of the process, because it gave me a better understanding of what the company was like and whether or not it would be a good fit for me. Practicing my responses to typical interview questions was also something I spent time doing, especially behavior-based questions.

What three things would you tell your peers they need to do so they find and secure a great internship?

 Don't expect something to fall into your lap; put in the time and effort to find a job that will benefit you the most. There are a lot of internships to choose from, so it’s important for you to know what you are looking to gain from your internship experience before you start interviewing. Use the UNH Career Center! Everyone working there is extremely friendly and helpful, and many of them have relationships with the companies that recruit at UNH. Its also very important to research the company you are interviewing with - nothing is worse than being asked about the company at your interview and not being able to answer the question. 

Talk about the benefits of networking, timely follow-ups, and being proactive in your search.

Networking is one of the most important aspects of finding a job. Get to know everyone you meet, and never burn any bridges; you never know how these people will affect your future. Politeness and common courtesy go a long way, so writing thank you e-mails and following up on interviews will show employers how interested and dedicated you are. Being proactive in your search is most important! Take the initiative to find the right job for yourself; no matter what position you get or what your experience is, you will benefit from it in the end.

What did you learn from your internship search that you will apply in future job searches?

 Don't give up too easily. Employers sometimes put you through multiple interviews with different people in order to see how interested you are in the job. Practicing interview questions might sound weird, but it’s very helpful. Also, knowing how to highlight your strengths and accomplishments during an interview is important. Research the position, know what the employer is looking for, and tailor your resume and interview responses to match these expectations.

What is the most valuable part of your internship experience so far? What skills are you learning that you can apply to other internships and jobs?

Self motivation, organizational skills, and working as part of a team were the most valuable skills that I gained from my internship experience at Northwestern Mutual. I know that regardless of the type of job I may have in the future, these skills will be transferable. While all of the technical financial knowledge I gained from this job was helpful, I learned a lot of things about the job market and about myself that I could never learn in a UNH classroom.