In times past, this is how its worked:
Scenario #1: I start out with lots of free time- with no job to fill it up. I enjoy this free time for a while until I freak out that I need to work- and thus it begins. I will start an internship hunt. I often narrow it down to a few and will take one which is great. I start working for the company and usually within 1-2 weeks of working for them, I get a call back from the company I really wanted but never heard from. Dilemma #1: to pursue the new opportunity, stay at the old new opportunity, or try and do both?

Scenario #2: I'm working a great internship and then comes the internship fair. I go to assist but promise myself I won't talk to companies for an internship. I'll just talk to get to know them and make a bigger network. Well this never works. Just walking around the fair, I saw alumni who graduated and are now working at extremely reputable companies. One in particular said "We want you to intern for us this summer". How do you handle that? Especially when you'd love to work for the company!

Scenario #3- also semi-my situation: You are working a great internship and more or less make plans to stay there for the summer. Then you leave and check your voicemail to find a company who received your info interested in talking with you about a summer position.

Maybe my problem is the unjustified guilt factor. I feel like I'm cheating on my company just by talking to another about possibly working for them- especially because I am happy where I am. Perhaps my problem is "my eyes are bigger than my stomach"- I want to work at all these fabulous places and I can't help it.

If you are like me, I can say that thus far this is an incurable condition- maybe its cured with graduation. I'm not sure. In any event, it leads to many all-nighters full of thoughts.

However, the important thing to remember is don't ever not "experience" your current opportunity because you're so busy thinking about your next opportunity. Live it up while you can. Soak and absorb everything possible out of your internship. You'll need it for the next one!

Therefore, we have chosen the theme “Impressions” for our final posts. Whether you’re trying to make a strong first impression or leave a positive ending one, learning the ins and outs of making a great impression is invaluable. We’ll share our experiences and can’t wait to hear yours as we inch closer to starting a new chapter of our careers with summer internships and jobs.

I personally want to thank everyone who has kept up with our posts. I hope that they have helped—or at least entertained—you and that we have been able to make a lasting impression on you all!

Don’t let the worries get you down -- it’s time to think creatively about internships! There are hundreds or thousands of opportunities out there, so how do you find the one that’s right for you?

Last year I was in this exact situation, as I tried to figure out what I was looking for in an internship opportunity. I compulsively reviewed the listings on CareerNet and reviewed the websites for firms I might be interested in, but was still not sure what I wanted to commit my summer to doing. As a psychology and economics major, my interests diverge: I am interested in both analytical economics/finance skills and the person-to-person and communication skills I’ve developed as a psychology major. I was at a standstill and felt like my internship search was going nowhere.

I decided to take the same approach to searching for an internship that I typically take to studying for exams. I created a list of things that were important to me – ranging from firms I was interested in, to the type of relationships I wanted to have at work, to the general location of the internship, to the size of the internship program. This turned out to be a hugely informative project, as it helped me develop an understanding of what I was looking for which would allow me to determine what programs I would enjoy the most.

Now here’s the clincher – creating the list of things that were important to me actually allowed me to expand my horizons and think more creatively about the types of firms I wanted to work for and the type of work I wanted to be doing. Instead of conducting my search on the level of finding a specific position, I was looking for a set of attributes. I wound up finding a great internship that met all of the criteria I was looking for that I might never have noticed in the way I was previously searching for internships. I had amazing opportunities and worked on meaningful projects that made an important contribution to the firm. And now, that internship is actually about to turn into my job beginning in August. Talk about a turn of events!

The bottom line is that as you start your search, you can’t forget to be creative. Knowing exactly what you want from an opportunity will help you identify what’s important to you and allow you look at your search in a whole new way.

Happy searching!

We all remember that memorable moment when Billy Crystal says to Meg Ryan, "I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."

That was a nice line, right?

But it doesn't just resonate with me because I love romcoms. It applies to my professional life, too! I've been waiting my entire life for the rest of my life to start, the part that comes after the studying and lame frat parties and Friday 8AM finals

That doesn't mean I ever had it all figured out. I started at NYU with every intention of becoming a doctor. Then I got a marketing internship at the Mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting, and that just really threw all of my dreams of becoming the next Christina Yang (I may or may not have an obsession with Grey's Anatomy) under the bus. Then I decided to major in Economics, which somehow lead me to non-profits and a short stint at a little foundation named after NYU's 2011 Commencement Keynote Speaker.

And now, the rest of my life is actually in sight, shortly after my BFF Bill congratulates me and 10,000 other graduating seniors at Yankee Stadium, I'll be passing through airport security on my way to Mumbai to train for my 'real' job.

And I can't wait.

But some guy by the name of Scott Gerber(baby) is telling me that getting a 'real' job is the last thing I should be doing. Apparently I should be pursuing some sort of realistic (he warns against trying to start the next Facebook, but instead building the next tutoring service of plumbing company) entrepreneurial path where I would have 'real' control over my own career.

This sounds fine and dandy, but it sounds to me like he's just encouraging delayed adulthood. The New York Times published a piece in August, commenting on our generation's deviation from the traditional path of our parents and their parents and their parents, and our inability to start a 'real' career, a 'real' family, and a 'real' life.

And with the support of the World's Newspaper, Mr. Gerber, I am going to politely disagree. While I won't argue with the fact that entrepreneurial dreams and small businesses are what make this country so great, I am a little weary of your suggestion that all young college graduates avoid 'real' jobs all together. 'Real' jobs are also important to our economy, and important in our careers because they give us opportunities to learn from higher-ups. They show future employers that we can be stable and reliable. And if we position ourselves well, us Millennials don't have to see our 'real' jobs as ones where we "work for another individual and see no real value or upside from the work product [we] produce." We can learn and develop skills, build relationships, and be valuable members of society.

So I'll take my 'real' job, and I'm going to enjoy it.

One topic that keeps coming up for us peers—from our personal lives to questions we’ve been asked at events—is summer internships and/or jobs. And rightfully so! March is a major month for summer internship deadlines, so now is the time to be searching and sending your resume and cover letter out.

Of course, the best way to get the most out of your summer search is to utilize your resources at Wasserman, including checking for jobs on CareerNet and going to meet with counselors at the center to have your resume and cover letter perfected. However, it can also be helpful to hear from people who have been in this position before—like your Peers!

For the rest of March, we’ll be posting our experiences, from applying to going on interviews to what exactly our summer internships/jobs entailed. And we want to hear from you, too! What do you want to know about getting a job or internship for the summer? What has your experience been with them so far? Let us know in the comments and we’ll do our best to help (or commiserate)!

I've spent most of my days at internships at my desk, with my eyes glued to the computer, careful not to go on my personal email, Facebook, Twitter, or other objective-less browsing. I try to get through tasks as efficiently and as accurately as possible, and I always ask around if others need help. I usually eat lunch at my desk so that I can finish projects by the time my supervisor(s) get back from their lunch breaks. But is this really enough to be a superstar intern? Maybe not.

Here's my line of thinking-- even the most diligent workers won't get noticed if they stay at their desks. You might as well be on Facebook or Twitter at your desk, because unless you have an overbearing, micro-managing supervisor, they probably won't even notice anyway.

I am not, by any means, suggesting that you actually go on Facebook or Twitter while at your internship. I'm just trying to make a point.

So what am I suggesting?

Building strong relationships in the workplace is critical to moving forward in your career. After all, your current employer is much more likely to offer you a job if they actually like you as a person. And even if you aren't looking for a full-time position after graduation, at least you will have a great mentor that can help guide you and provide you with real industry advice in the future. While it is important to maintain a healthy distance from our supervisors (Read: Please don't discuss how miserable your hangover is), you shouldn't be the hermit intern that never laughs at office humor.

The Thin Pink Line Blog suggests a few things to get those relationships started:

* While you’re walking to the restroom popping into someone’s cubicle and asking how they’re doing.
* Taking a moment to compliment someone on a particular accomplishment.
* During a phone business phone call.
* On the way to or from the parking lot.
* Over lunch (even if it’s lunch at your desk).
* Before, during, or after a meeting.
* In a brief doorway conversation.
* After work at professional association meetings.

The take away from all of this? Spend time actually getting to know the people you work with. Networking at your internship is as important as networking at events/seminars at Wasserman, so take it seriously.

Seeing the success of Zuckerberg and having this unprecedented access to families, friends, and colleagues through online networking can open up doors for students that were much more difficult to come to in the past, especially when it comes to students starting their own businesses. With websites such as KickStarter.com allowing anyone to post ideas and potentially get them funded as well as connections made through social media, students today have a unique opportunity to employ their passions and studies into their own careers.

I caught up with some student entrepreneurs who have done just that for a short series of segments I am doing for Palestra.net and was impressed by the dedication and business sense they had. Don’t get me wrong, they all admitted that their self-started careers required an incredible amount of time and hard work, so this is definitely not a job for the faint-of-heart. However, for students who have found their passion but cannot seem to find a preexisting position for it, now is a better time than ever to start paving your career path by creating one of your own!

So let's discuss: have any of you ever thought of starting your own businesses? Why did you or why did you not decide to do this? Do you know any other students who have chosen to become entrepreneurs while in school?

I admit this is an issue I’m not totally sure of myself. I tend to have a slightly more reserved demeanor when I’m at work and keep my personal life separate from my professional one. I try to be friendly and engaging but do not necessarily come in on a Monday with an anecdote about my weekend. However, some people approach their colleagues in an entirely different way, sharing personal stories (within limits) in order to make more of a lasting connection. For example, one of my colleagues at a past internship quickly bonded with our female boss by saying she had gone on a bad date the past weekend—the two quickly began joking about their worst dates and it was evident that this “humanizing” conversation made a positive impression.

So how much is too much? Does distancing your private life from work life harm your chances are creating a lasting relationship with your colleagues or superiors? But then when does sharing become “oversharing” and inappropriate? This is definitely an area I am still trying to figure out and is particularly difficult to determine as an intern or in an entry-level position where nearly all of our colleagues are superiors.

I believe my best advice based on my experience so far is to wait a little before volunteering any personal anecdotes or details, as this will give you a chance to see how your colleagues interact and how formal the environment is. If it seems like your coworkers are more open and encourage you to join in, it may be nice to bond over your shared love for thai food and dislike of going out clubbing. A lot of determining this balance depends on your specific environment and place in the company, so simply be mindful of your surroundings. N

ow I want to know what you guys think: how do you deal with integrating your personal and professional lives? Have you ever made mistakes like those in the article? Let’s compare and share in the comments!

One resolution I know I have is to continue improving my professional life, from my online profiles (like NYU Evita and LinkedIn) to my future plans. I wanted to share some of my resolutions with you guys in hopes that you’ll share yours, too!

1. Don’t be Afraid to Try Something New

I have a tendency to get comfortable in my current job or internship to the point that I stop looking to move on. Now, this isn’t necessarily bad, but as students, this is a time we have an unparalleled opportunity to explore a huge variety of careers. Therefore, one of my resolutions for this year is to take myself out of my career comfort zone. Like with applying to colleges, I will of course apply to positions I am very qualified for but also want to try for some “reach” internships.

2. Ask for Help!

A lot of times, pride tends to get in the way of us asking for help. However, this can keep us from having some major career breakthroughs! As awkward or embarrassing as it may feel that first time you ask for help, I can promise you won’t regret it. Before starting off as a Peer in Career, I admit I had never met with one of Wasserman’s career counselors. Now that I have, I can’t imagine no longer going! I want to continue asking for help this semester to ensure I am getting the most out of my Wasserman resources as possible.

3. Be Organized

This will be the hardest of these resolutions for me, as try as I might, I can never seem to be totally organized. This year, I want to create a specific folder on my computer just for jobs, where I can keep my resume, cover letter, spreadsheet of contacts, and recommendations. Getting this all typed up and stored together will cut down countless time when I go about applying to new jobs!

I hope it helped to read my resolutions, but now to the good part—what are yours? Do you share any of these resolutions? Any tips to help me accomplish mine? Discuss in the comments!

But it's worth it.

Here are a few things to think about:

1. Working over break is a great opportunity to see what a job is really. You may work on complicated, higher level projects.
2. You'll be able to see and experience a position as if you were full time. You'll have a better idea of what goes on throughout the week, rather than just the usual days you are at the office.
3. You're probably putting in several times the number of hours you would be able to during the semester. I can't imagine how many more hours you would potentially work during break than during the semester.
4. Many professionals take off during this time, making your work easier (hopefully). This may be a good opportunity to talk to employees you don't usually interact with and learn more about there job functions.

5. If applicable: No one has ever complained about having a heavy wallet!

That’s why I’m in love with ReclaimYourPrivacy.org, a site that scans your Facebook and lets you know how private your page really is and how you can improve your privacy settings. This is an amazing resource for those who are applying to jobs or just wanting to check on their settings, as it is super quick and literally only requires you to click a button. Using this scan, I was able to (luckily) see that I have created a page that is not accessible to the general public, which is a huge relief. Job-hunting and parents-joining reasons aside, I think it’s a good idea to understand the privacy policies of Facebook and make sure that you understand how much information about yourself is out there to be seen by whoever happens to search your name.

Another quick tip? As strange and conceited as it may sound, Google yourself! This is the best way to see what information is out there about you for all to see. Besides showing you where you may want to tighten up your privacy, it may also end up entertaining (I found a local newspaper article with a hilarious old picture)! Of course, you generally shouldn't be posting things that may incriminate you, but if you do want to do an occasional goofy post with your friends, it is different worth checking out your privacy settings to ensure that your private joke remains private!

For a freshman or sophomore, this stress often comes from having to choose a major. It can be daunting choosing a major, since not only will it be what you are studying for the next four years, but it feels like it will ultimately be the subject that you will be following through into a career.

Oftentimes to alleviate this stress, one just makes a decision like “I want to be a doctor”. Then the person follows the pre-med path almost on autopilot throughout college, simply signing up for courses that fulfill the major. Making a decision and sticking to it works for some people, since that subject or career path ends up being exactly what they want to do and will end up doing.

However, like myself, most college students are never really sure what they want to do. For example, I declared as an Economics major last year, and I am quite certain that I will remain an Economics major throughout all of college. However, sometimes I still get that thought in the back of my mind: “What if I had gone into the sciences? Would I have liked it more?”.

It is a scary feeling that there is always the road-not-taken. There is always the other option that we could have chosen, and the possibility that this option would be better than what we are studying now.

However, instead of keeping the lingering thoughts in the back of my mind about the road-not-taken, I have learned to always reevaluate my interests. A benefit of college is that you get to meet many other students, professors, and professionals who all have unique interests, and different paths that led them to where they are today. Hearing other people’s paths can help make you evaluate the path that you are on, and whether what you are doing is truly following your interests.

The reality is that it is not uncommon for people to change their minds. Many people change majors and career paths, at all times in their lives. So don’t get caught up in the stress of feeling like your decisions in college will be written in stone for the rest of your life. Instead always reevaluate your interests and relax!

Of course there are literally thousands of internships out there, but how can you find out which one's are right for you? Well, you could definitely come into the Wasserman Center and speak with a counselor, but to supplement that, why not check out some other internship sites besides CareerNet? Indeed the world can be a scary place outside of those pearly NYU "gates" (4th and 14th street), but there are a ton of opportunities available on your academic club's website, Uloop.com, and a variety of other places. Google it.

Now, here's where Kim Pham comes in. I saw her with a spreadsheet that she printed herself. On it were empty columns and rows indicating what type of internship she found, who to contact, and where she found it online originally.

I'm not going to lie, this tops anything I ever did. I recommend to all underclassmen out there reading this to take a note from the textbook of Kim and get proactive (not the acne solution, but the adjective). If you start making moves, being organized and getting ahead now, you'll be miles ahead when you're classmates realize that the race has already started.

All in all, it's never to early to get to that company presentation, interview for that internship, or network with that professional. That said, HAVE FUN. Live the dream.

Just be mindful and remember, ""Somewhere in the world someone is training when you are not. When you race him, he will win."
- Tom Fleming's Boston Marathon training sign on his wall

Good Luck, and go get it!

Justin

Now I know that you're supposed to go to every interview prepared with questions, but usually I come up with a few in advance and then play it by ear during the interview. This request threw me off-guard and made me completely nervous and determined to make a good impression. Armed with a very detailed description of the internship, I combed the internet for hours to formulate a whole page of what I hoped were intelligent and insightful questions. It completely paid off. The interviewer and I had a very in-depth and interesting conversation and I was able to learn much more about the division and some recent exciting projects.

Even though I was so anxious to have received that request, I found the intensive research so useful and informative. These days, if you can't find it on the Internet, it doesn't exist, so take advantage of that for your next interview!

My concern was that I wanted to double-minor so I could show future employers my experience in multiple fields. However, completing this second minor would involve me taking a variety of classes I was not interested in and would possibly even prevent me from my planned date of graduation. Still, I wanted employers to know I had that experience!

Luckily, my counselor at Wasserman clued me into a resume trick that I had never thought to add—putting in a “relevant coursework” section. As obvious as this may seem, it is not a section often seen on resumes, so you may not think of it. Personally, I think it’s an amazing addition, as I can now show how I have molded my curriculum to fit my career goal. It also gives a more specific description of what classes I am taking and is a great subject of conversation during job interviews.

So the next time you’re having course conundrums or looking for a way to enhance your resume, consider adding in this short extra section to show employers how hard you’re working in and out of the classroom!