One of the most insightful means of exploring opportunities in one’s career path is through internships. Summer breaks are a convenient time to gain experience that can help them become informed global citizens and gain exciting careers. International Studies students have found financial support for exciting work in the United States, as well as in Brazil, the Philippines, Mexico, Japan, and many other parts of the world. Students have reported that internships can be an ideal way to live and work SUA’s mission.
SUA provides a range of internship opportunities which will appeal to International Studies students. Those interested in pursuing a domestic internship are encouraged to contact the Career Development Office for assistance and support: https://sokauniversity.sharepoint.com/sites/Career-Development. Funding opportunities for summer internships are available through the Pacific Basin Research Center.
The term ‘internship’ can mean many things. It traditionally referred to unpaid or minimally paid work for an organization to provide training for future career prospects, a sort of apprenticeship. The intern lacks compensation with the understanding that their learning curve represents some drain for the organization. Today, many internships may be for-profit businesses or forms of voluntourism. Internships come in many forms and guises, and Google searches may bring up results that are for-profit placement companies.
Students are also encouraged to consult regularly with their academic advisor for help with planning and opportunities. For example, some students have been able to pair their internship experience with their Study Abroad or Independent Study courses. International Studies and SUA are committed to promoting service learning opportunities around the world.
Some useful tips / thoughts:
- Peruse advertised internships and ask your peers to obtain a sense of what opportunities are out there in the realm of International Studies. It may be useful to ask your advisor for suggestions in your sub-field.
- Update your CV. Have clear writing and structure. Consider bringing it to INTS faculty or Career services. Some hints: Do not bury being multilingual at the bottom of your CV–knowing other languages is not the equivalent of knowing PPT. Also, do not make a false divide between school and ‘real’ work. List some key courses and other details about your time at Soka (you would hate to have more lines dedicated to brief summer part time work than to your university education!).
- Write a letter that can accompany your CV. It helps to point out whether you would be available for the entire summer and that you would be willing to fill in for interns who might be unable to complete their internship. Get creative, perhaps doing virtual work before or after your formal internship. Understand that you may not be able to participate in a substantive project during the internship, and communicate that you would be willing to contribute in any way you can to the ongoing work of the institution.
- In your letter, highlight your familiarity with particular software program, relevant skills (i.e., typing, administrative, etc.), and your willingness to learn new skills. The benefit to you of an internship will be the ability to observe what takes place in such organizations. Internships with the U.S. State Department and other US Government agencies require advance planning, sometimes as far in advance as November (Applications can be found in Career Services, or through the U.S. State Department home page at: http://www.state.gov/).
- DIY: Not all internships are programs you simply apply for. If there is an organization you would love to work for, reach out, they may be willing to host a motivated intern, especially if Soka helps you to cover your expenses.
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