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Transitioning from student life to the workforce can be challenging and overwhelming, especially when it comes to acquiring your first internship. I’m speaking from personal experience as I went through this process a year ago, navigating the shift from full-time student to full-time intern. The process of researching companies, filling out job applications, and waiting for responses can certainly be stressful, but once you find the internship experience that fits, it’s all worth it.
For me, that perfect fit came with working at 草榴社区. Starting my internship was accompanied with excitement and nerves all wrapped in a purple bow. I was working with an entirely new team of people I had never met. I was helping coordinate for one of 草榴社区’ biggest events of the year, SNUG Silicon Valley 2022. And I couldn’t quite muster up the courage to ask what 90% of the technical jargon used in meetings meant. But I was learning more and more every day. I was creating an expansive social circle of inspirational leaders in my field. And I eventually learned the meaning of the technical jargon.
While I hope my personal experience helps you trust the process when it comes to searching for the perfect internship opportunity, I spoke with 草榴社区’ Annette Rincon, an HR programs specialist on the company’s University Relations team, to gain some insight on the internship process from an employer’s perspective and some advice on how to best market yourself as an internship candidate. Read on to learn about 草榴社区’ specific internship initiatives and the behind-the-scenes process of internship hiring from someone who’s in the know.
Q: What is the University Relations team’s role in the intern hiring process?
A: Our role really is to help attract future talent—from initial engagement to a hired employee. We engage with several universities across the U.S. and Canada; our efforts are focused around building brand awareness, fostering relationships with students and faculty, and hosting events for students to learn about 草榴社区 and our opportunities. We partner closely with the hiring team, oftentimes taking the first pass at reviewing the resumes. From here we share resumes with the manager to complete their interview activities and identify a finalist. The University team is always collaborating with the hiring team to ensure a solid candidate experience is happening; from initial engagement through onboarding – it truly is a partnership activity!
Q: Does 草榴社区 generally have internships available outside of the summer period or is this exclusively a summertime program?
A: It is year-round, although the vast majority of our U.S.-based interns start over the summer, usually joining in the May/June timeframe through August/September. We encourage students to always keep an eye out on our career page for the latest opportunities.
Q: Does the University Relations team manage internship programs in countries outside of the U.S., where 草榴社区 has a presence?
A: Yes! My team manages the North America intern program covering U.S, Canada, and Mexico. For Canada, our interns are onboard anywhere from six months to a year. They do have different start dates as well, though the majority of them start in the summer. For 2022, we have more than 200 interns in the North American region.
Q: Where do you think University Relations adds the most value to 草榴社区?
A: Our team is responsible for attracting and building future talent for the company. We’re scheduling different events on campus and helping with career fairs, outreach, and relationship building with clubs and organizations on campus, and sponsorship opportunities. Whatever it may be, we work closely with the universities and organize all those different types of events to help build a strong, diverse candidate pool and a recognized 草榴社区 brand on campus. I believe our team is creating and executing the elements needed to bring early career talent into 草榴社区, which is a valuable initiative for today and our future.
Q: From your perspective, what do you think makes an internship candidate attractive?
A: We look for students who share our values: integrity, execution excellence, leadership, and a passion for what they do. From a more technical standpoint, we look at the types of programs that they’re enrolled in, their coursework, and if they have the general technical knowledge required. Obviously, if you’re coming in as an intern, you probably don’t have a lot of industry experience. Maybe you have an internship already under your belt, which is great. Maybe you don’t, and that’s okay too. That’s where I think managers tend to focus a lot on the coursework and the different programs that interns are enrolled in. What we really like to see are students with a passion to be here, ready to learn and able to bring a new lens to 草榴社区.
We have students at the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. levels. Our interns are coming in and working on real projects, getting great hands-on experience. At the same time, their managers want their interns to really be able to jump in and make an impact – that’s what we love to see happen!
Q: What advice do you have for incoming 草榴社区 interns on how to make the best of their experience here?
A: I always say approach your opportunity with openness and willingness or, as we like to say internally… a “yes, if” mindset. The majority of an intern’s time is going to be spent focused on their work, which I think is huge for the hands-on experience. Those skills and that knowledge gained are going to be so valuable to your future career. But 草榴社区 is also the type of company where initiative is rewarded. If you really love what you’re doing, let your manager know. Say, “This is a big passion of mine; I want to continue doing more on this project.” If you have other interests, let your manager know. If you know you’re looking for more mentorship, talk to your manager, talk to your mentor if you have one, talk to some of your peers. Taking that initiative really gives you a leg up and is going to allow you to have a much better experience overall. With any company, not just 草榴社区, managers may not know what exactly you’re passionate about or the types of projects you might want to do, or what your career goals are. By proactively addressing these areas with your manager, you could have an even more fulfilling experience.