Lauren Berger, otherwise known as the “Intern Queen,” spoke to Bradley students Tuesday evening about how to obtain internships throughout college.
She gave students advice such as how many internships students should apply for, what to wear for interviews, what to do after interviews
and how to acquire various contacts.
The entrepreneur expert said applicants should follow up on internships two weeks after sending in their resume and send a thank you note after an interview.
Berger also suggested students be careful about what they display on the internet because people have been fired due to inappropriate
Facebook pictures.
However, it is helpful to “friend” possible job or internship opportunities
on networking websites to keep up with the latest news on the company as well as express a greater interest in the business.
The energetic speaker highly recommended that students take advantage of the Smith Career Center because they provide practice
interview questions and mock interviews as well as resume help. Most college graduates who did not use their career center ended up paying hundreds of dollars for career coaches.
Most internships only want students to work a couple days a week during regular business hours. They also have very flexible
schedules during the fall and spring semesters in attempt to hire more interns.
“78 percent of Bradley students participate in career-related experiences,”
Berger said. “On a national level, over 70 percent of college students have had an internship.”
She impressed her audience with her professional experience: throughout her time in college, Berger held 15 internships all over the country.
Contrary to popular belief, internships are not specifically for seniors in college. She received her first internship the spring semester of her freshman year at a communications
agency in Florida.
She later traveled to California for two summer internships for both a small and large corporation.
“I wanted to experience both types of companies,” Berger said.
After graduating college, the Intern Queen moved to California and got a job at the Creative Artists Agency.
However, she quit not long after she started because of her internship
website idea.
In 2008, Intern Queen Inc. was formed as a website to help students
find and apply for internships
easier. The site also points out the do’s and don’ts about the professional atmosphere.
Berger was recently ranked fifth in Business Week Magazine’s list of “Young Entrepreneurs 25 Under 25.” She was also classed in the “Top 10 Youth Marketing Minds of 2010” list by Mobile Youth.
Her website now extends to more than 40,000 people a month.
Any students interested in a faster way at finding internships can visit internqueen.com for free.
