2016-2017 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Career Planner

Career Planner

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

NETWORKING FOR INTERNSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS Calling or meeting people from the organization with whom you wish to have an internship or fellowship can increase your chances of being accepted to their program. Remember that most people want to hire someone with whom they are familiar. In addition, having a strong reference is an excellent way to increase your chances of being accepted to a fellowship/ internship program. For example, if your advisor is well known, a call from him/her to the organization may work wonders. Contacting alumni who work for the organization can be an excellent means of advancing your application for the internship/fellowship. If You Do Not Meet the Requirements If you are interested in an internship/fellowship and you do not meet the requirements, you may still want to apply. Exceptions are made in some cases. If programs allow candidates to interview before the application deadline, you should visit and interview. Why Do Employers Like Internships & Fellowships? An internship/fellowship saves the employer money. It is a cost-effective hiring process and it is a preview of your skills and a chance for them to see what you’re capable of. It can result in a job offer upon graduation, if they liked you. Also, as students, you bring in fresh ideas and you serve as a steady flow of new talent. If you have positive experiences at the organization, you can provide free advertising to other students that might be potential candidates. Finding Fellowship Resources A majority of fellowships are going to be government or foundation sponsored. Be sure to pay close attention to the unique requirements and qualifications required (i.e., citizenship requirements). It is probably a good idea to create a spreadsheet or organizational system to keep track of deadlines, etc. A good place to find a list of different fellowship sites in order to get an overview of what is out there is the Association of Schools of Public Health. Finding Internship Resources While some organizations might have established some internship programs, most do not. Approach prospective employers directly. Don’t wait for an internship to be posted. Identify potential employers using directories and databases, word of mouth, and inquire about possibilities for an internship. Inquire as to whether an internship can be created for you. A majority of the time organizations will not discourage “free help”, but you’ll need to be sure to create a “win-win” situation for both yourself and the organization. Funding sources for internships can vary from organization to organization - some are scholarships and grants with amounts ranging from monthly to yearly stipends, hourly rates, or pay per project.

WINTER BREAK CHECKLIST Take advantage of your winter break by reviewing and following up on career and job search activities. Here are a few things you can do to get your job search off the ground.  Network. Identify and choose people to connect with. Begin with people you know…faculty, classmates, former employers and colleagues, family members, and alumni. Collect new contacts and develop relationships. Create advocates who can be vigilant for new opportunities on your behalf.  Research companies. Know as much as possible about the organizations that interest you. You can find this information csm.symplicity.com), local newspapers, state industrial directories, and reference books available in public libraries.  Develop a strong resume and cover letter. Have these reviewed and critiqued. Resources can be found on the Career Services website (http://www.jhsph.edu/careers)  Engage in informational interviews. Contact alumni in the specific geographic through company websites, JHSPHConnect (http://jhsph- interview. Wear appropriate attire, bring questions and resumes, and be prepared to talk about yourself and your skills.  Research salary ranges in your specific field and geographic location(s) of interest. There are many informational sources on the Internet. A TOOLKIT FOR CAREER SUCCESS Each year’s winter break, the Career Services Office provides “A Toolkit for Career Success,” a course to assist students and alumni in their job search. Last year’s course shifted from alumni presentations about resume/CVs and cover letters, job search strategies, interviewing, salary negotiation, networking, etc. to a more advanced topics such as professional communication in the workplace and effective management skills. Keep a look out for this course in either the second or third week of the Winter Intersession. area in which you seek employment (http://alumni.jhu.edu/). Treat the informational interview like any job

http://www.jhsph.edu/careers

JHSPH.Careers@jhu.edu

28