Steps to get the internship: I emailed the director of marketing and media communications.
Day to day activities: I held office hours and had game night responsibilities, which included taking official USHL stats (shots on goal, goals, assists, penalty minutes, etc.), recording the shot chart, playing music, delivering information to coaches and referees, and other odd jobs.
Most rewarding: I loved learning about the game of hockey and being involved with such an influential organization. My bosses and co-workers also made the internship a fun environment.
Biggest challenge:
The fast-paced environment was difficult to adjust to. Every action is very time sensitive.
Most important thing learned: It is very important to enjoy what you do!
Key advice: Don't settle for something that is not related to what you want to do.
Patrick B.
Major: Communications
Company Name: Six n' Sticks
City: Ann Arbor, MI
Paid/Unpaid/Course Credit: Paid
Steps to get the internship: My girlfriend had a class with another student who was planning on starting a website/product business and needed a writer. I was referred due to my interest in writing and the fact that I am minoring in writing. I had an interview with the company as well.
Day-to-day activities: I wrote blog posts daily relating to craft beer in the state of Michigan.
Most rewarding: Being able to set my own hours, take time off when I needed it, and mostly have fun writing about beer and being creative was quite rewarding.
Biggest challenge: It was all really easy. I would say writing in a particular style that suited the site and included the most relevant information was probably the biggest challenge though.
Most important thing learned: I learned how the startup world works and how to create a profitable website selling products.
Key advice: Be open to learning new things and be able to accept criticism of your work.
Crystal C.
Major: Material Science Engineering
Company Name: The Goldman Group
City: Ann Arbor
Paid/Unpaid/Course Credit: Paid
Steps to get the internship: I applied for a research grant and then emailed a professor to ask if I could work for her. After that I interviewed with her and got the job.
Day-to-day activities: My day-to-day activities included online research for relevant articles, summarizing the articles, going into lab, and working with different machines.
Most rewarding: I got to make great connections.
Biggest challenge: The biggest challenge for me was understanding the material as it was very complex.
Most important thing learned: I learned that when doing research, it is important to be patient because even when you don't get what you're expecting, it still tells you something important.
Key advice: Be persistent and while doing research don't be afraid of cold calling and emailing for information - a lot of times this is how you get the research you need!
Amanda K.
Major: Communications and Psych
Company Name: Youth Marketing Connection
City: Ann Arbor
Paid/Unpaid/Course Credit: Paid
Steps to get the internship: I applied through a youth marketing website.
Day-to-day activities: I organized and recruited a street team to hold six events on campus to promote Adidas.
Most rewarding: I got a lot of free Adidas clothing!
Biggest challenge: Getting full street team attendance at events was very difficult. College students have really busy schedules.
Most important thing learned: I learned how to turn creative ideas into actual functioning events and how rewarding that can be.
Key advice: Utilize your resources and don't be afraid to ask for help.
Mara G.
Major: Program in the Environment
Company Name: Clean Water Action
City: Ann Arbor, MI
Paid/Unpaid/Course Credit: Unpaid
Steps to get the internship: I emailed the contact info listed on UM's Career Center website.
Day to day activities: Each day I did graphic design work, wrote LTEs, took notes at meetings, attended public comment hearings in Lansing, attended press conferences, and updated the social media sites.
Most rewarding: I enhanced my graphic design skills.
Biggest challenge: The toughest thing was dealing with my boss who was not very good at communicating and listing expectations.
Most important thing learned: I do not want to go into non-profit work.
Key advice: Apply to as many places as you can and keep your options open.
Chip K.
Major: Business
Company Name: Peter Allen & Associates
City: Ann Arbor
Paid/Unpaid/Course Credit: Paid
Steps to get the internship: I took my professor's class and established a professional connection with him by going to office hours. He needed help for this project and contacted me asking if I'd like to assist his company.
Day-to-day activities: My day-to-day activities included attending meetings and placemaking through catalytic real estate development proposals in downtown cities in Michigan.
Most rewarding: It was exciting to learn about real estate development and meet stakeholders at the state and local levels.
Biggest challenge: The biggest challenge was the fact that this industry was almost completely foreign to me and I was almost always interfacing with people at least 20 years older than me.
Most important thing learned: I learned that real estate development can impact cities in amazing ways and that good development takes time. Conversely, poor planning and shoddy construction can negatively affect communities for decades.
Key advice: Get your hands dirty as soon as possible. Bug professors and industry professionals whom you admire until they give you an opportunity to either volunteer or intern, and leverage that to get a paid internship or job.