Internship Site Selection Criteria

By Keith Massengill

Internship Director

Coastal Carolina University 's Resort Tourism Management Program

 

Many students choose intern positions for all the wrong reasons. The Horry Company offered me $1 more an hour than anyone else. Carolina Resorts included “on-site” housing for all interns. The Grand Strand Restaurant Group promised me the first intern position with their brand new theme restaurant. While all of these are certainly important in the overall scheme of things, they shouldn't be the main reason for selecting your internship site.

 

Internship positions, similar to many seasonal openings are becoming more and more competitive. Companies who are placing college students in paid internships are looking at ways to attract the top candidates.

 

What are the criteria for selecting the “perfect” internship? First of all, let me say you probably won't find the “perfect” internship. Your task is to select an internship position that best fits your needs during a set period of time in your college career. How then do I know what is the best fit for me? Follow these steps:

 

1. Write down your internship goals and objectives.

2. Research intern openings with companies that match the above.

3. Contact the Internship Director or Human Resources Director to determine the application process. Note: Do so the earlier the better. Most universities require selections to be made a full semester/quarter ahead of time.

4. Select your top three to five choices.

5. Interview previous interns and/or supervisors about their intern experiences.

6. Make your selection!

 

College internships vary in length of time, most last 10 to 15 weeks on average. My personal opinion on why internships fail to meet expectations is simply, the student didn't do their homework. It is critical that the student meet with their potential intern supervisor, before accepting any position. This individual will not only be your boss, but more importantly a mentor.

 

Don't be afraid to ask pointed questions about the intern position. Did you complete a college internship? Have you ever supervised interns before? What is the importance of interns for your company? What industry affiliations or community organizations do you personally belong to?

 

Remember that open communication begins with two-way conversation. The student/intern who best articulates their internship desires, will have a greater likelihood of being placed in a meaningful internship position.

 

Keith Massengill is the Internship Director for Coastal Carolina University's Resort Tourism Management Program located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina . Students enrolled in the RTM specialization are required to take (four) 480-hour internships during their four years in the College of Business . Prior to his current position, Mr. Massengill spent 22 years in various resort management positions supervising college interns. He may be reached a keithm@coastal.edu or visit http://www.coastal.edu .

 

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