How to effectively manage your mood for better workplace performance - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to effectively manage your mood for better workplace performance - Introvert Whisperer How to effectively manage your mood for better workplace performance? We all have experienced days when everything seems to be going haywire in our life, right from waking up late to not reaching the office on time and getting a warning from the boss. It’s quite obvious that we are not in our best of spirits on such days, and that takes a toll on our productivity as well at work place. Some would argue that it’s quite natural. However, what if despite all this chaos, you could still be unaffected and deliver your best? Wouldn’t that be great? This post talks about the same. It’s a well known fact that how you feel has an important impact on how you work and the final productivity that you deliver throughout the day. Even researches also back this fact that moods or state of mind have direct correlation with work performance. Besides, bad mood often spreads to colleagues and becomes a contagious problem, just like happiness and cheerful mood is infectious. There are people who are genetically predisposed to remain calm and cheerful, come what may, and such professionals are a true asset to a team, as they will keep the spirits high, even during adverse times. HR professionals are always keen to select such candidates, and this quality places them at a vantage point over other candidates, keeping everything else similar. However, not all are born equal. There are many of us who fret over simple problems, become anxious and clumsy, and that affects how we think, perceive and work. This reflects in poor performance and missed deadlines at times. Does that make us a poor performer? Not necessarily. But it certainly reflects that while in the workplace there is a need for everyone to control their negative emotions, and moderate their turbulent thoughts so as to help develop a productive and positive work environment. How does state of mind affects work performance? There is conclusive evidence that proves that your current state of mind has a direct correlation with performance. According to a HBR study conducted by three researchers who were in constant touch with leaders of global companies, 94% of those leaders reported that Calm, Happy and Energized were the three most common states of mind during which they gave the highest level of performance. Thus it is not difficult to infer that CHE is the state of mind that drives highest level of performance and productivity. In an experiment conducted by scientists at University of Western Ontario in Canada, people were asked to watch funny or depressing videos to put them in different moods. A set of people watched the funny videos of comedy show “whose line is it anyway”, while the other set of people were asked to watch news reports about natural calamities and similar stuff. Then both the sets were assigned two tasks and sure enough, people having positive state of mind had performed better in at least one of the two tasks. There are many reasons why a depressing mood affects your performance. You might find it hard to concentrate on the task given or find the challenge too intimidating to even start. Lack of confidence, will power and procrastination are some other mental blocks that people having bad moods face while performing work at office. Whatever may be the subtleties, the truth is that the mood with which you start your day carries over into the work that you perform later on and affects how you deal with them. So how do you get over your mood swings, especially when at workplace? Now, when it is established that bad moods do little good when it comes to performance, there must be conscious efforts on parts of all of us to keep this from happening too often. While it is hard for anyone to prevent irritating things happening to us, controlling how to respond to them can keep our productivity isolated from these occasional negative moods. Learn few relaxation tricks Physical relaxation can lead to effective management of negative emotions. One should have few relaxation tricks up their sleeves which can be utilized in the hour of need. Keeping an upright, relaxed posture while sitting or standing, deep breathing, looking at pleasant pictures, reading or watching something funny, having a small chat with colleague are some of the techniques that really work wonders. Different people respond differently to various stimuli, and therefore you should experiment and learn what works best for you. Connect with positive people around you Being surrounded with jolly and contended individuals helps you to feel good about yourself. There are have been multiple studies that prove people often mirror the gesture of others so as to establish a better rapport with them, without even realizing it. Thus, keeping company with irritated, negatively motivated employees will automatically aggravate our bad mood and emotions. Similarly, we also copy body language and behavior of people who are more calm, happy and energized, subconsciously. Spending time with such people is a natural antidote to negative emotions that can help us improvise our performance. Keep a healthy routine Perhaps the most important defense against negative state of mind is keeping you energized and healthy through daily fitness regimes and leading a balanced lifestyle. This effectively covers your sleeping patterns, eating habits and daily exercise routines. This is a must, even when everything seems to be going right for you in terms of performance. Good habits after all help you in all walks and spheres of life. While bad moods are hard to prevent, with optimum efforts you can keep them from affecting your workplace relationships and productivity. Guest Author Bio: Saurabh Tyagi, a career and motivational author who consistently writes articles on various job related themes. This article is particularly useful for professionals applying to high stress positions like VP Marketing or VP HR as they have a hectic regime. You can follow him on LinkedIn or Twitter. Let me emphasize that Self-Promotion doesn’t have to be obnoxious to be effective. But, if you don’t Self-Promote you, who will? If you ever want to get ahead, you have to learn how to Self-Promote. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that shows you simple, yet effective ways to Self-Promote. Start watching now: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

What is it LIke to Attend The Kings College

What is it LIke to Attend The King's College The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Caleb is a New York City tutor specializing in ISEE prep tutoring, Pre-Calculus tutoring, Reading tutoring, and much more. He is currently a junior at The Kings College in New York City studying Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. See what he had to say about his school: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Caleb: Since the campus is right by Wall Street, there is lots of transportation available to students. Most students use the subway. Due to the high security in the financial district, the location might be the safest in the country. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Caleb: Professors are amazingly open and available. Just last week, one joined me for a quick trip to Subway! Considering that many of my professors are world-renowned and often interview on TV or publish research the same day they teach class, I find it incredible that I can walk into their offices almost whenever I need to. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Caleb: Kings gives you the chance to live like an adult in New York City. Most students live off-campus in their own apartments with their best friends. Its scary at first paying bills and leasing apartments, but its also really fun! VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Caleb: I study Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, an Oxford-based multidisciplinary curriculum that does a great job integrating the practical and the abstract. Most students at Kings choose this major because it offers both stellar faculty and rare hands-on opportunities like my full-time internship at the United Nations last semester. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Caleb: Kings may be the only school in the world that offers a House system, and the system makes meeting friends super easy. Every incoming student is assigned one of ten houses each a collection of students who will team up to compete with the other houses on everything from basketball to drama to grades. Because of the house system, you essentially have around 50 friends automatically when you show up to Kings. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Caleb: Super helpful. My internships so far: United Nations, Columbia University Press, New York Historical Society. They have an unbelievable amount of connections. If you work with them, they find you work. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Caleb: The school recently moved to Wall Street from the Empire State Building, so its facilities are still developing. In general, though, the school has always maintained a healthy balance of study spaces and lounges. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Caleb: Kings is in the middle of New York City, so it can be the coolest location in the world if you make it that. Students are prone to stay near their neighborhoods or the school and get a limited perspective in the city, but if you get out and explore (like me!), the options are pretty much endless. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Caleb: The college is tiny: just over 600 students. Since it began less than 15 years ago, Kings has tended to almost double at an annual rate, and its population is still growing fast. At the same time, its size is great the way it is it implies small classes and friendships with pretty much every professor. It also means you know almost everyone. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Caleb: Professor Kreeft is a 75-year-old Philosophy professor who is famous around the world. He lives in Boston, but comes to New York every Wednesday to teach at Kings. Youd expect him to be detached and hard to talk to, but hes actually the opposite. I play chess or ping-pong with him almost every week! Check out Calebs tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How to Supercharge Your Confidence with Online Math Tutor

How to Supercharge Your Confidence with Online Math Tutor 0SHARESShare Being confident in Math learning is very crucial for keeping up with the classes and preparing for Math tests and thus scoring well in the subject. A small loophole in your Math learning will pull down your confidence and you feel that you are unfit for Math classes. Take help from our online math tutor now and improve your grades. Supercharge your confidence with online Math tutor! Online Math tutor is your every ready battery to charge you with confidence and thus enabling you to face Math classes with appropriate skills. How? Math online tutor talks to you in an online classroom in privacy about your Math hurdles and diagnoses the reason for your diffidence. Many of the tutors conduct diagnosis tests to assess your Math abilities and further try psychological methods for finding out the reason for your Math anxiety. Read more 10 Ways Your Kid Can Appreciate Math While Having Some Good Time They take suitable measures in a personalized Math online tutoring environment to drive away your Math phobia and instill positive thoughts about Math through fun games and exercises. Then they move on to harder aspects of Math learning with their customized course ware and white board discussions and help you get through hard learning aspects of Math. Once you gain confidence in Math learning through virtual tutors, your fears vanish in the air and you like Math for its puzzling quality and experimenting values while solving riddling sums. How to supercharge your confidence while learning Math? Tricky Math homework sums will demoralize you at unexpected moments and it could be the eve of your homework submission. Take shelter in the abilities of an experienced online tutor and bust the sum in a short while through live discussions with him. This helps you regain your confidence in Math learning. Test preparation in Math is equally difficult and you may miss an important class note or answer for a sum so as to feel nervous on the morning of a test day. Shoot your queries to Math tutors online who are available 24/7 to resolve such issues. They pick out that missing thread in your learning and address your grievance at once. Math Learning Easy with Whiteboard Assignments in Math may boggle your mind at times with their marathon sessions. Math assignment help can lead you through difficult assignment sums and take you in the right direction for good scores. Having extra edge in Math studies, preparing for Math sections in standardized tests and exploring new Math courses to add to your adventure are all some ways to realize your supercharged confidence level in Math learning.

Should I Go To Saint Louis University

Should I Go To Saint Louis University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Meghan is a 2011 graduate of Saint Louis University with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. She currently specializes inmany subjects in St. Louis including Elementary Math tutoring, Calculus tutoring, and ACT prep tutoring. See what she had to say about her alma mater: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Meghan: Saint Louis University (SLU) is located in the SLU/Midtown section of St. Louis, MO. It is an oasis in the middle of an urban area, with a ton of green space and streets closed off to cars. Campus is extremely walkable, but many students also choose to bike from class to class, leaving their bikes on racks outside the buildings. Transportation options include your own car (or a friends!) which you can park in covered and uncovered garages or on the street, a free shuttle to and from the Medical Center (where many of the health sciences classes are held), a free shuttle to and from certain stores (grocery, the mall, etc.) on weekends, a light rail system called the MetroLink that will take you anywhere from Busch Stadium (Go Cardinals!) out directly to Lambert Airport, and of course walking and biking. SLU recognizes that they are located in the middle of a city, and makes safety of its staff and students a huge priority both in the buildings and on the grounds. SLUs residence halls require a student to use his or her student ID to swipe into the building, and again at the front desk to check in. The grounds at SLU are patrolled 24/7 by the Department of Public Safety, both on bikes and on foot. In addition, there are emergency button poles with bright blue lights at the top scattered across campus which alert Public Safety officers to respond when pushed. Because of the value SLU places on safety, I always felt at ease on campus. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Meghan: I found professors, academic advisors, and teaching assistants to all be very available. When my schedule conflicted with office hours, my professors were open to compromising on alternative meeting times that worked for both of us! Students are required to meet with their academic advisor every semester to schedule classes, and time slots fill up very quickly. My academic advisors always accommodated if all the meeting times I could make were already taken. Many of my teaching assistants gave out their cell phone numbers for questions, and would generally respond within half an hour. Overall, everyone at SLU was very willing to make themselves available to help. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Meghan: SLU has many different style options for on-campus living, as well as many apartment complexes right around campus. SLU students are required to live on campus for their freshman and sophomore years (commuters are exempt), and can then choose to live on- or off-campus for their third year and beyond. First-year options for on-campus housing include several traditional dormitory-style spaces, and upperclassman options include dormitory-style as well as several different apartment-style options. Residence halls at SLU are spread throughout campus. Every student you talk to will tell you that wherever they lived their first year was the best place to be; the RAs and other housing staff do a great job of fostering community within the residence halls! Whether you choose to be in an intentional Learning Community formed around a common theme (such as sustainability or ethical business practice), or not, you will find a ton of opportunities to socialize in your residence hall and on campus. There are a multitude of options for food, including two large dining halls on campus with buffet-style service, two other locations with several restaurant chain options in each, a convenience store, and an all-vegetarian place. Right around campus there are several fast-food and sit-down restaurant options as well. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Meghan: SLU offers almost 100 different undergraduate programs, and the faculty and academic advisors are really willing to help you make your time at SLU your own! Even though I was in Parks, the school of Engineering, Aviation and Technology, I was also able to graduate with a minor in Theological Studies. I thought this would be impossible, but with support and planning I made it happen. I chose BME because it combines many things about which I am passionate: math, science, how stuff works, and the ability to directly help people through my career. The BME department at SLU is a very close-knit family; the class sizes are small and every professor in the department knows every student. Because of this, I always felt supported in my studies. I knew I could always go to a professor for help with an assignment or advice on grad school or careers. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Meghan: SLU is an extremely friendly campus. I credit this sense of community for my easy transition into college; there were tons of Welcome Week events to attend to meet other students, and my RA planned a lot of floor outings throughout the year to help us get to know the classmates living with us. I am still, 7 years later, best friends with the girls I met on my floor freshman year! Greek life is unique at SLU, with no sorority or fraternity houses on campus. If you choose to be a member of a Greek organization, you can opt to live in Greek housing in a dormitory-style space as an upperclassman. Greek life is big enough at SLU to be a presence, but not so large that you feel as though you have to be Greek. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Meghan: The support services SLU provides are very helpful! After graduation, I served for a year through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Since I have been back home, I have been tutoring with Varsity Tutors and working with SLU Career Services to find an engineering position. My career counselor has provided resume tips, cover letter guidelines, and advised new ways to job search. Many of my friends have been recruited by well-respected companies on campus, and the Career Fair at SLU expands to include more (and better!) companies every year. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Meghan: When the weather is nice, students will study in the quad, by the pond or on steps near the clock tower. The Pius Library just underwent a massive, beautiful renovation, with soft seating, large tables, alcoves, and conference rooms with board space which students can sign out. The Busch Student Center (BSC) has tons of conference rooms with tables in which anyone can study. Many classroom buildings also stay open in the evenings for student use. I loved utilizing the BSC, and never had a problem finding a place to settle in for the evening. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Meghan: One of my favorite things about SLU is its location in the middle of St. Louis. There is always something to do, like going to a Cardinals, Blues, or Rams game, heading to Forest Park to sled down Art Hill in winter, going to South Grand for ethnic food, hitting the Delmar Loop for dinner or a concert, or getting student tickets for the symphony at Powell Hall or a musical at the Fox Theatre. Forest Park is a massive park of well over 1,000 acres located just west of SLU. Admission to almost everything there is free, including the zoo, Art Museum, History Museum, and Science Center. Yes, I said FREE! You can always find something to do there, with ball fields, bike paths, paddleboats, and all sorts of entertainment throughout the year. Several of SLUs on-campus art galleries are actually a part of Grand Center, St. Louis performing arts district, with the Fox Theatre, Powell Hall, The Black Rep, Jazz St. Louis, and many more performance venues, art galleries, museums, and restaurants located right up the street. I was able to get discounted show tickets more often than not for being a SLU student! VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Meghan: SLU has about 8,000 undergraduate students and about 5,000 grad students. I thought this was the perfect size for undergrad! It was small enough that I didnt feel lost or overwhelmed in a huge crowd, but large enough that I was still meeting new people my senior year. My typical class size was less than 30 students, many times less than 20. This was great for getting individualized attention! VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Meghan: My most memorable class was Senior Design, because my partners and I spent so much time and hard work to take what we had learned over our entire time at SLU and apply it. At times everything seemed hopeless, other times everything fell into place, and at the end of it our device actually worked as intended! I will never forget that sense of satisfaction. I will always remember everything I learned about teamwork, de-bugging, problem-solving, trouble-shooting, and compromising throughout that class. Check out Meghans tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Apply these 5 secret techniques to improve SAT test score

Apply these 5 secret techniques to improve SAT test score 0SHARESShare Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a preliminary test given to high school students for their entry into higher education. Today, high school students are receiving a lot of counseling to improve their SAT score.   After all, the purpose is to evaluate a student’s readiness for college. But believe me, to get a competitive score is not that difficult. Here, we have revealed 5 secret techniques which are helpful to improve your SAT score: Take a practice test The best way to improve your SAT test score is to practice lots of sample tests. You can download online sample tests free of charge or you can purchase an unmarked copy of the Official SAT Study Guide by paying very nominal charges. You can also go for previous versions of SAT preparation books. These practice tests will make you understand your improvement. Always focus on active reading High school students who are strong readers do better on the reading sections of the test. You need to practice active reading, i.e. reading short articles focusing on a topic. Focus of new words coming across; test your vocabulary and logic of a sentence. Check for basic grammar, pronouns, and sentence structure or readability problem of any word, if any. Leave nothing blank in any multiple choice questions You should never leave any multiple choice question blank in the test. Generally, the one who instinctively guesses the question scores a slight more as compared to the student leaving the choice blank. Also, deductions for wrong answers will hardly affect the score as it gets rounded up. So, believe in your instinct and don’t leave anything blank. Know your math Thoroughly practice entire principles of Algebra and Geometry. You need to practice the main concepts of arithmetic and how to apply these concepts. You should know the correct approach to solve the problems. Unfortunately, if you stuck in any problem then don’t leave it like that. Write whatever you know like you can label the diagrams, plug in numbers. Try to factorize or simplify the given expressions. Try to find hidden patterns in the questions.  Use mature sounding words and phrases Experts suggest that you should always try to exhibit varied, accurate, and skillful use language in your essays. Always note down and review words which you think can be incorporated into your essays. You can also look up and make a list of words that you don’t know. Use words which sounds mature and don’t sound forced. [starbox id=admin]

Figure Out - Phrasal Verb of the Day

Figure Out - Phrasal Verb of the Day Todays phrasal verb of the day is: Figure OutInfinitive form: Figure OutPresent Tense: Figure out/Figures outing form: Figuring OutPast tense: Figured OutParticiple: Figured OutIt is a separable phrasal verb that can be used in two ways:1. When you understand or learn the answer to a question or the solution to a problem.I figured out the answer to question #9 on my Math homework.2. When you understand why a person is a certain way or acts a certain way.Im trying to figure John out, but I just dont understand him.A video about a young girl trying to figure it out. In the video she uses: figuring things out, figuring themselves out, figure all that out, a nice place for all of that to be figured out, Im figuring it out,1. She _______ ____ the code to the safe and stole thousands of dollars in jewelry.2. _____ ___ how to break into the safe must have taken some time.3. She is a very unique robber. Police cant ______ her ____.4. Have you ever _______ _____ a secret password or code?Reph rase the following sentences:I have finally found the answer to Question number 7.I really need to understand her, if we are going to date.The police need to find an explanation to how the thief broke into the jewelry shop.

The Mysterious LSAT Writing Sample

The Mysterious LSAT Writing Sample LSAT Law School Blog The LSAT’s Writing Sample is the last section of the intellectual marathon. After a day spent navigating Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension, many LSAT takers experience waning motivation. That the Writing Sample is not scored misleads people to think of it as a throwaway exercise. Nothing could be further from the truth. A great writing sample may increase your chances of law school admission if your credentials are lacking in some way.It’s your job to spot the crucial issues from the prompt and choose a position to advocate. The prompt is written so that both choices have merits and deficiencies. The Writing Sample tests your ability to make a cogent argument under timed conditions.Tips: Go out with a bang and not a whimper. It’s worth your effort to put your best foot forward. Take a few minutes to organize your answer. Start with a strong topic sentence and your strongest point. Don’t ignore evidence for the opposition. Figure out a way to neutralize it. Practice under test conditions. Set your practice sample aside for a few days and then reread it with a critical eye.

10 Common Misconceptions About College Internships

10 Common Misconceptions About College Internships via pexels.com 1. Interns only make coffee and copies. People tend to believe that interns dont do anything worthwhile for the company. However, this is totally untrue. Companies dont hire college students to do mundane tasks that no one else wants. Sure, you may have to make a few copies throughout the semester, but the majority of your job should be doing something worthwhile. Unless, of course, you accepted an internship for copy-making. 2. All internships are unpaid. A common rumor about college internships is that theyre all unpaid. However, there are a fair number of internships that  are  paid. The pay might not be as high as you were expecting mostly because you dont have a degree yet and youre an  intern,  but having an internship and gaining the experience of being an intern can easily outweigh what might seem like less-than-perfect pay. 3. All internships will result in a job offer. Most of the time, this could probably be assumed. However, theres always a chance that your internship wont turn into a job. However, you shouldnt accept an internship hoping that it leads to a job. You should accept an internship because it will give you the experience you need to be better at your job in the future. If youre a really great intern and your internship turns into a job wonderful! But the expectation shouldnt be that an offer will be waiting for you on your last day. Dont be discouraged by this misconception! Just because your internship may not result in a job offer at the end of the semester, theres a lot more that could result! If you walk into your internship every day ready to work and get the job done, more than likely youve acquired more than one strong recommendation from your internship supervisor. This can come in handy when you are applying for jobs following graduation. Having someone to vouch for your work ethic and productivity in the workplace will go a long way when it comes to securing a job. Employers have overwhelmingly stated that an internship is one of the most important factors to consider when they look at hiring recent college graduates. Additionally, completing an internship can result in: increased confidence: youll feel more confident in your workplace abilities if youve had experience in the field critical contacts in the field: maybe your relationships with these people arent strong enough to serve as references, but they may be able to steer you in the right direction when it comes to finding a job after graduation an education you cant learn from the classroom: there are certain things textbooks and professors cannot prepare you for. Dont let this scare you. A college internship is the perfect place to gain the knowledge you need to excel in the workplace 4. Only nationally recognized internships are worthy. College internships are worthy, whether or not theyre with a company thats nationally recognized. The experience you can gain from  any  company, regardless of their national ranking, will be worthy in the future. Applying for jobs after youve had an internship automatically gives you a leg-up on all the applicants who  havent  had an internship. It doesnt matter if you worked for BuzzFeed or not, at least you went through the process of applying and accepted a position as an intern in the first place! Infographic created by Lorena Roberts via Visme.com 5. You should only apply for internships in your field of study. Its perfectly fine to apply for internships in related fields. After all, a large portion of your education can come from the experience of  doing it.  What youre studying in school doesnt have to limit you to what youre capable of doing on a day-to-day basis. Internships with non-profit organizations are some of the most flexible. If youre willing to help people and work with the community on a daily basis, youre more than qualified to be an intern at a non-profit. When youre thinking about applying for an internship, or youre looking for an internship you think you would enjoy, dont limit yourself to what youve studied thus far. Internships are open to all kinds of students and majors. Youll never know if you dont try, right? 6. Internships are only for the latter half of college. Internships come in many shapes and sizes. You arent forced to wait until youre a junior or a senior to get an internship. The earlier you can snag one, the better off your resume is going to look. Internships are offered during each semester and the summer. Students tend to think internships are for the latter half of college because this is when students tend to have time to use a semester interning. Its unlikely that in the spring semester of your freshman year youll get an internship, just because you havent taken too many classes yet, but by the time youre a sophomore, youre a strong candidate for an internship. If you dont want to use a semester working an internship, theres always the option of taking a summer internship. Additionally, you can often gain college credit for an internship if you set it up with your department. Engineering, business, and architecture often set up flexibility in their programs of study for an optional internship. This is probably because students in these majors are the most likely to apply for and get an internship. The experience and education youll gain from being an intern, even for just the summer term, is more valuable than pushing your graduation another semester. If you have the opportunity to work an internship, but youre worried its going to take you longer to graduate, think about how much more attractive your resume will be when you enter the job market if youve already had some experience. Its definitely worth it, and I think any advisor you talk to will tell you to absolutely snatch that opportunity! 7. A high GPA will get you an internship. A high GPA will certainly help your application throughout the process, but this isnt the only thing youll need to get an internship. The process is much more complicated. If you want to secure an internship, one of the key parts of the process is an interview. If you get invited to an interview, you should be prepared in the following ways: research the employer beforehand have a list of questions that are important for you to have answered dress professionally; you wont be taken seriously if you show up in a T-shirt arrive on time be positive be energetic thank the interviewers; showing gratitude will make you stand out 8. Interns are free labor. Oftentimes, companies are excited to welcome interns to their team! New, fresh ideas, upbeat personalities, and young, excited individuals can add a whole new perspective to the teams goals. Sometimes, unpaid internships get a bad name because it seems like interns are being taken advantage of. But this is likely  not  the case. Companies seek out interns for a specific purpose whether that be training (hopefully) future employees, gaining new perspectives, or giving back to the colleges and communities who support them, an internship (even if its unpaid) is beneficial for both parties. If you find yourself making copies and coffee runs in your first few days at the office, dont be disgruntled. Part of working an internship is for the company to see what youre interested in and what youre willing to work on while youre there. Dont be afraid to voice your ambitions to your supervisor. Showing youre interested and motivated will really impress your coworkers! 9. The application process is long and enduring. Knowing when to apply for an internship can be tricky. The rule of thumb is that its never too early to start researching and applying for an internship. Youll have to get all the materials together that are necessary to complete an application. Sometimes youll need recommendation letters, transcripts, and, of course, youll need to interview. However, needs of an organization can change on a dime, so if youre looking for a summer internship and its late spring, keep trying do not give up! Companies will oftentimes reach out for an intern at the last minute simply because their needs have changed. If youre looking for a summer internship (which I would say is most popular), you should start researching and applying  before  winter break. Theres a lot that goes into accepting an intern to a company, so the earlier you start the process, the more likely it is that youll have everything together and be fully prepared to be considered for an internship. Try not to get discouraged during the application process lots of college students embark on this journey every semester. You are fully capable of landing an amazing internship. Keep pushing. via Pexels.com 10. An internship will prolong graduation. Sometimes students assume that an internship will prolong their academic goals. However, it is more than possible to make an internship count for college credit as well. Typically, there is some way to accrue credit for an internship. Whether it be through the department youre in, or elective credit, sometimes referred to as field study, receiving credit for the work youre putting in at an internship is more than possible while youre in college. Its important to start looking into the possibility of an internship early on for two reasons: planning your academic timeline and meeting all the necessary requirements to graduate. If you want your internship to count for college credit (which you more than likely do!) get started early to ensure everything is in place. Whats in it for the employer Sometimes college students assume that an employer is just looking for free labor, but this is likely not the case. Employers use internships for a few different reasons. The underlying reason for hiring an intern is for the company to get a return on their investment whether its in the present or the future. Sometimes hiring an intern is a solution for the company being unable to find a full-time employee to take a position. Another reason an employer might be looking for an intern is because they want a new perspective on a project theyre currently involved with. Sometimes interns are the best way to get a refreshing take on something that the companys been working on for a while. If an employer is looking to improve the overall public view of the company, hiring interns that have positive experiences may boost community reputation. When interns have a good experience with a company, theyre more likely to talk about their experience with their peers, friends, and family members. Employers should approach your internship with a list of accomplishments you both want to achieve. You should feel obvious transparency between you and your supervisors. You should feel like part of a team. If you dont, you should think about whether or not you want that internship. That being said, an internship during college can be a fantastic experience for todays student. Theres so much to be learned from working with people in the field, understanding how a company operates, and gaining the knowledge and experience that comes from an internship. If youre planning to apply for a college internship, know that the application process is half the battle.