By Morgan Browning
As I stepped into the NWA Center for Sexual Assault, I felt a rush of excitement followed by a tinge of nerves. It was the first day of my first internship and I was ready to encounter new experiences and gain important skills that I will use in my future social work career.
Looking for an internship can be a daunting task, but it’s the best way to get experience in your field before you graduate college. Although the director of my Social Work Program helped initiate the process of obtaining this internship, I still underwent similar steps as other students looking for internships to find a position that works for me.
First, I started by finding organizations that interested me the most. In order to find an internship that works for you, you need to know what is out there. I combed organizations’ websites, looking for information about the establishment as a whole and the responsibilities of their interns. Generally, organizations that have internship opportunities provide sections on their websites regarding broad or specific intern responsibilities. This is not only helpful when searching for internships that might interest you, but also when preparing for an interview. Following this search, I was able to create a list of five internships that I wanted the most. I mainly chose internships that would provide me with experience working with demographics that I am interested in helping in the future. For example, I want to work with survivors of sexual assault, therefore my first choice was the NWA Center for Sexual Assault. I also want to work with kids who have experienced abuse, so my second choice was Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).
Because the Social Work Program places students in an internship based on their preferences, I only needed to apply for the one that I was placed in. However for students searching for internships on their own, I would suggest applying for multiple internships so that you have a greater chance of securing one. It is important to intern somewhere that you think will help you gain valuable experience. Even if that experience helps you realize what you do not want to do in the future, this is vital knowledge to take into a future career.
Once I submitted my application, I was called in for an interview. This interview was relatively casual, yet very crucial for my future at that organization. To me, interviews can seem incredibly intimidating, but preparing for them helps me feel more confident and less nervous. First, it is necessary to acquire some knowledge about the organization. Typically, an interviewer asks the interviewee about what they already know regarding the organization. By preparing for this question, an interviewee demonstrates their competency and passion for their possible internship. Prior to my interview, I browsed the NWA Center for Sexual Assault website to gain more information about their mission, their programs, and a little about what would be expected from me as an intern.
Secondly, it is important to think of possible interview questions and prepare answers forthem. For example, the interviewer might ask questions like “What makes you a good fit at this organization?”, “What would you do if…(situation that is likely to happen at that organization)?”, or “Why do you want to work here?”. By having an idea of how you would answer questions like these, you will hopefully feel and seem more prepared and motivated for the internship. Good preparation is key to a great interview.
My internship was necessary for my Social Work Program, so I got to find out that I got the position right after I finished my interview. However, interviewees generally hear back within a week or two of the interview. It is also generally expected to send an email thanking the interviewer for their time and consideration a day or two afterwards. This demonstrates your interest in the position and maintains a good impression with the interviewer.
Now, I go into each workday excited and motivated to work as hard as I can. I hope that your internship experience is similar, and that you find an internship that works for you. Choosing a place that inspires you to discover what you enjoy doing is what makes each day exciting. Although sometimes internships do not turn out how you expect them to, each one is a great learning experience. Good luck with any of your future internship endeavors!
