Internship Ratings of the Week: Focus on Mullen

InternshipRatings.com offers potential interns unique inside-information that will allow him or her to make a better informed decision about applying to a specific company. The free expression section of the rating is equally as important as the questions because it allows users to get a more detailed idea about the company. It is a way to learn about specific departments, horror/funny stories, specific responsibilities and other aspects of the experience. Each week, we will highlight a critique that offers meaningful insight (good and bad) about the intern world at Company X.

This week, I will feature a post about Mullen, a communications agency (specializing in Advertising, Public Relations and Marketing) renowned for its business approach termed collective entrepreneurialism. It has grown to become the 22nd largest communications firm in the United States. It is based in Wenham, Mass., a suburb of Boston. Mullen has a well established internship program that has already received more than 200 applicants for Summer 2008. 

The anonymous brand planning intern who worked at Mullen last Summer had the opportunity network, gain an understanding of the Advertising industry and meet other college students. Networking with company employees and co-interns is important for future endeavors, such as applying for jobs. The fact that Mullen encourages employees and interns to interact is a fabulous quality of its summer program. This person enjoyed weekly catered brown bag lunches (my mouth is starting to water) for her department. In addition to this, there were other events like ice cream/pizza parties and intern kickball. Events like this demonstrate a few great qualities about the company and its summer program: 1) It is invested in its employees and openly appreciates them 2) It establishes camaraderie among interns and employees 3) It wants to cultivate an internship program that differentiates itself from other similar communications firms by giving interns perks 4) Activities such as these allow Mullen to gain a greater sense of a person outside of the regular bustling office scene...think of an interactive interview process. 

Another positive aspect of Mullen's program is its focus on teamwork. At the end of the eight-week experience, interns are separated into teams and must create a new business pitch for a client. The presentations are judged by principal members of the company--in this case it was the CEO, COO and New Business Director. This opportunity enables interns to combine all of the skills they have learned throughout the experience and gain feedback from accomplished professionals. This project seems invaluable because of the skills you can perfect (ie public speaking, strategic planning and teamwork). It is more useful for a future career than any mock proposal I have had to turn in at school. I also agree with the post in that "the fact that such high profile people invested time in the internship program speaks to the culture at Mullen." 

If you are interested in reading the rest of the rating, please click on this link.

--Stephanie

It's all in the details

Now, that we have introduced the site to you, here are some of its defining features:

Homepage: The InternshipRatings.com homepage allows the user to get started by either searching for internships, viewing internships or rating internships. A user can search by industry, city or state. You can also click on the search button which leads you to an advance search. This feature allows you to be more specific and even look for companies with paid internships! The homepage also has three ways of viewing internships: Recently Rated, Top Rated and Worst Rated. Read some horror and success stories from past interns. 

Rating Questions: We tailored the questions to the needs of our users. After our own internship experiences and the experiences of others, we determined the top 12 questions concerning an internship. Out of these 12, the top 5 questions correspond with an icon that can be seen easily without viewing the full rating. We also understand the importance of a rate and rave, so there is a comment box that allows you to go into more detail.

Membership: In order to add/ rate a company, you must be a member. By becoming a member you are able to receive updates from the site, see local ratings in your area, and of course rate an internship! 

Anonymous Ratings: Many users are nervous to post an internship for fear that the company might track their review. With the anonymous setting, this is not an issue. When you sign up for the site all you have to do is go to your account settings and click on  "Keep my rating(s) anonymous". It's pretty simple! 

InternshipRatings.com is a bright, colorful site that is easy to use and geared toward the college demographic.

We are working to make InternshipRatings.com the best it can be! If you have any comments, questions or concerns just click on the contact link at the bottom of the site.

Enjoy and rate away!!

--Lauren 

Introducing InternshipRatings.com!

It is hard to find a good internship these days. Students are fighting to land stops at the most well known companies they can. Many companies take advantage of young students who want to gain industry experience. Interns are often subjected to coffee runs and filling for hours upon hours!

But, isn't it just great when you land that fabulous internship and you get really involved  in the company in the company! you make good connections, receive a letter of recommendation, and have acquired skills that you just can't learn in school. Internships lead you to a better future, so when choosing your internship you have to be sure to pick the best one.

Throughout the summer, Stephanie and I would always compare our daily internship experiences. As I have explained in my past posts, my internship did not turn out the way I had anticipated and neither had Stephanie's. We then realized that there was no way for students to know what it is really like to intern at specific companies. This got us thinking...

After long days and sleepless nights, Stephanie and I created InternshipRatings.com! A place where interns can rate, research and compare internships across the United States! Check out the website and let people know about your experience! Help build this resource so interns can finally get the experience they deserve! 

--Lauren and Stephanie

Watch Your Mouth!

A recent article published by Careerbuilder.com suggests that the appropriateness of comments in the workplace to coworkers and bosses can damage your relationships and even your career. Although you may think that a pejorative remark rolled off the sleeve of your supervisor, it could be a comment that he or she decides to associate with you from them on.

Interns, especially, should be cognizant of their behavior in the workplace. Whether or not they are given the same respect as employees, they should demonstrate responsibility, trustworthiness and an interest in the experience. Internships are equated with an interactive interview process that could lead to a position in the company. One poorly thought out remark could ruin their credibility. So interns, for the sake of your reputations and future careers, watch your mouths!

Here are some phrases that you should AVOID saying in the workplace:

"I heard ____ say this in the break room."

It is inappropriate to create inner office gossip, especially since you do not know if it's true. As an intern, you should not meddle in the affairs of other employees, as it could result in the end of your internship. The best thing you can do is walk away from the situation.

"I partied so hard last night."

While you might think of your supervisor as more of a friend, it is inappropriate to discuss your partying habits with him or her. Even though your boss might have share your habits, this topic is simply inappropriate for the office. Trust me, you do not want to become associated with sex, drugs or rock and roll.

"Get your own coffee."

Internships are stereotypically associated with grunt work, like shlepping your boss a cup of coffee. If menial tasks were not in the job description you signed up for, do not freak out. Instead of scolding someone who is your superior, politely grant his or her request. If your boss continues to ask you for coffee, ask if you can talk privately at a convenient time. During this conversation, politely state that you are ready to take on larger responsibilites!

For more examples, please click here to see the original article!

--Stephanie

Questions for Thought

The interviewing process is always a stressful time for an intern. You have to impress your future boss, while sticking to the universal interview rules: speak highly of yourself, but do not boast; compliment the interviewer or company, but don’t seem like you are sucking up; and have a lot of questions, but not questions that can be easily answered on the company’s website.

In preparation for an interview, people are usually concerned about how you are going to be perceived. Don’t forget that this is an opportunity for you to question them too! The interviewer should also be ready to make a good impression on you. He/She must be able to demonstrate his/her company’s greatest qualities. You are there to make sure that you will be a good fit for them and vice versa.

Make sure to have a list of questions ready that will allow you to get a better feeling for the company and your future internship:

Here are some questions that I think are crucial to understanding the realities of the internship:

1.What skill(s) will I develop here?
While this is an internship and grunt work is sometimes inevitable, you have to expect and demand some sort of learning experience. Remember, you are not there to waste your time. There are always places with better internship programs.

2.Will I be able to sit in on important meetings?
Being allowed to sit in on meetings shows that they respect your desire to learn and absorb information. Whether or not you are able to voice your opinion in the meetings, it is a great way to understand the industry.

3.Do you often offer jobs to your interns?
This question is very important. It shows that you are serious and hopefully that they are serious too. If their answer is yes, you know that there is a greater potential of you being more involved in the company. If they are thinking about hiring, then they will probably assign you more important tasks in which you can demonstrate your abilities.

For more questions check out this article: http://www.networktwenty.com/work/unpaid_internships.html

--Lauren

Sororities and Networking

Saturday morning I was surprised to find an e-mail in my inbox from a sorority alumna whom I have never personally met. The subject of the correspondence was an opening for summer interns at an upscale fashion designer in Manhattan. The message should not have been so unexpected, however, because I had received a similar e-mail two months prior from a different alumna who was looking for spring interns at a Boston based public relations firm. 

I have never considered myself the quintessential rah rah sorority girl and was iffy about whether or not I belonged. These e-mails reminded me of the importance of my sisters for my future endeavors. I was excited to get the messages at a time when I was considering internship options. I did not know about either company, which made the messages even more exciting. I was able to add two new companies to my list of potential employers.

While sororities are stereotypically associated with mixers and date parties, they are in actuality more closely associated with networking. The lineage of members spans across diverse industries and occupations. Members are eager to reach out to one another and offer internships because they are linked by a commonality. Whether or not i am interested in my sisters' companies, their network of connections can be of use. Because the membership of sororities in general are nationwide and it is impossible to know everyone, displaying the greek letters on a resume can help your application be more strongly considered if employees are also members.

If you are in a sorority, message your network of sisters before applying for your next internship!

--Stephanie