Not sure what to expect when applying for an internship? Current virtual intern, Alicia Gomori, shares her experience of the application, interview and orientation process. The moral of the story: If the internship you want is filled for the Spring semester, ask if the site is looking for interns in the Summer or Fall. Don’t give up! Many sites need help year round.
I had tried to find an internship for the summer term. I actually contacted several libraries in my area to do a traditional internship but for this reason or that, it simply did not pan out. So I applied for the internship with Marin County Free Library and was told that they had already lined up a summer intern. I asked if they could interview me for the fall semester, and they agreed. I just really wanted to have it in place.
My site supervisor set up a time for a phone interview and we spoke for about 30-40 minutes. It felt like a traditional interview in the sense that the questions were already chosen and they were similar to what I have experienced in a traditional setting. It went really well and she offered me the internship on the spot.
We kept in touch over the summer and played with the SLO’s a bit to fit their upcoming needs. . . . We had to wait to [understand] their specific needs for the fall term.
The first step [of orientation] was a packet of information in regards to their policies with social media and other computer policies. I had to sign several forms and return them for their tech department to issue access to some of their sites as well as intranet.
[Going forward, the site supervisor and I] will be meeting on a weekly basis on www.gotomeeting.com. We will also communicate via telephone, email, or other means that are necessary. . . .
They are a great library and have taken on quite a few interns from SJSU so I am anticipating good things!”
Alicia Gomori, Fall 2013 Virtual Intern