The Importance of Internships: Tips and More from the Fisher Community
Learning extends far beyond the classroom. Internships serve as an important connection between academic understanding and real-world application. As a requirement, undergraduate students in the Day Program must complete an internship for at least 3 credits (equivalent to 120 hours) related to their major. This emphasis on gaining practical experience emphasizes the importance of preparing students for the workforce before they graduate, ensuring they enter their chosen fields as competent and well-rounded professionals.
Fisher College provides a multitude of tools and services to help students on their path to success in the workplace. Our Career Services office provides personalized assistance to students, including guidance on resume building and interview preparation. Additionally, students are required to take the Preparation for Life and Careers course, which covers topics including financial literacy, interview methods, and resume writing, to prepare them with the skills necessary for the job market. This course prepares students in their sophomore or junior year for internships and beyond, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate the professional world.
Additionally, Fisher uses the Handshake platform to help students network and gain access to job and internship opportunities. Handshake offers students a platform for connecting with peers and possible employers, allowing them to easily access professional opportunities during and after college. Fisher College empowers students to embark on promising careers and achieve their professional goals by focusing on professional development and experiential learning.
Layla Wilson is a second-year biology major with a minor in management. She is currently interning at Tufts Medical Center (TMC) and serving as an administrative intern on Tufts’ abdominal transplant team in the Department of Surgery. In this role, she's gained valuable experience and shares about her internship opportunity at TMC. Layla states, “I’ve had the pleasure to sit in on meetings with the Boston Medical Center as well as the bone marrow transplant team at TMC, and interviewed inspiring medical professionals for my internship paper.” Recently, Layla has been tasked with formatting the extracurricular activity calendar to boost morale across the abdominal transplant team and creating a master contact sheet for all organ procurement organizations (OPOs) globally to optimize communication with TMC and various OPOs. Her favorite task has been assisting the nephrology medical director with formatting a medical presentation for virtual cross-matching, an innovative advancement in the transplant community. Layla shares, “To be included in this process was inspiring and truly shaped my perspective of medical professionals to see firsthand the impact they have on the medical community.”
Layla is pursuing a career in veterinary medicine, but she finds her internship valuable. “My initial motive was to simply absorb as much intel on the inner workings of the management side of healthcare,” she explains, “But now after the short time I’ve spent there, a new field of study has been unlocked for me and new tools have been added to my professional arsenal.” For students preparing for their internships, Layla stresses the importance of advocating for oneself and believing in one's abilities, showcasing talents and achievements to pursue desired opportunities. “In the words of my supervisor, work-life balance is key. Strive for something that genuinely benefits you and your life; the rest will fall into place as you work towards what you want for yourself.”
If you're getting ready for an internship, Director of Career Services, Agnes Oyewale, shares some important advice to help you make the most of your opportunity. Agnes stresses the significance of presenting yourself professionally, which includes dressing appropriately, being punctual, and engaging actively during internships. By embodying professionalism, you can demonstrate your dedication and work ethic. Moreover, Agnes highlights the importance of networking opportunities embedded within internships. Building connections while still in school can lead to invaluable recommendations or even job offers once you graduate. Maintaining communication post-internship is equally vital. Agnes emphasizes, "Do not burn bridges. Whether you had a good or not-so-great experience at the internship, you never know how this internship experience may open up another opportunity for you in the future."
Achieving your academic and career-oriented goals is a significant milestone, and it is necessary to have the right support system to guide you through the process. Career Services is committed to providing you with the resources and guidance you need to succeed. Get started on your journey to success by taking advantage of our various services. For any questions, please email careers@fisher.edu.