Success Stories
Peter H.
Communications Intern
The Washington Center
United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
In the fall of 2008, I had the good fortune of being selected for the maiden offering of the The Washington Center’s Ford Global Scholars Program. Designed around analysis of the U.N. Millennium Development Goals, the program brings 24 students from around the globe to Washington, D.C. for full immersion into the arena of international development, diplomacy and policymaking.
The dynamics of the group, 12 from the U.S., 12 from abroad: Russia, Vietnam, India, South Africa & Brazil are a great asset of the program. It was a very special collection of students, each with a dedication to the greater good and an opinion on how to get there. Throughout the semester, we discussed the MDGs with ambassadors, debated politicians at the Capital, met with officials from the World Bank and Pan American Health Organization, and visited the UN headquarters in New York.
Through this program, the leaders of tomorrow’s global community get first-hand exposure to the decision-making process and the compelling arguments coming from all sides of the debate. If you are motivated and internationally conscious, apply for the Ford Global Scholars Program. You understand what is at stake. The experience is exciting and adventurous. The people you meet will galvanize your commitment and expand your understanding.
Justin W.
Commercial Associate – Syndications Analyst
Fifth Third Bank
I have nothing but great things to say about the Pomerantz Career Center staff and services. As an undergrad, I utilized the Career Center for mock interviews, resume workshops, and company trips such as the Diversity on LaSalle St. event in Chicago. I also used UI Employment Expo (online recruiting system) to obtain an internship with Best Buy in Minneapolis and then utilized Employment Expo again my senior year to land a full time position with Fifth Third Bank in their Commercial Associate Program in Chicago.
The Career Center makes researching, preparing, and finding an internship or job much easier than attempting it alone. The staff at the Career Center is always available for advice and help when unclear or uncertain about issues related to internships or full time jobs. Overall the staff at the Pomerantz Career Center is solely dedicated to helping and preparing students with what to expect after college, and eventually getting students in front of employers of their choice. They do a great job of bringing new employers to recruit on campus every semester. The staff is always looking for new ways to prepare students for the “real world.”
Christine W.
Communications Consultant
ROC Group
As an undergrad, I took the Career Exploration class offered through The University of Iowa and the Pomerantz Career Center. Enrolling in the class was very beneficial because it helped me get on track and become organized for life after graduation. It also made me realize that it is okay to not know exactly what you want to do when you graduate.
Along with classes offered through the Career Center, Employment Expo was a very useful tool. I would definitely recommend using this site to search for an internship. Today, holding an internship in college is necessary for success upon graduation. As an alum, I continue to utilize the staff at the Pomerantz Career Center. I know that without the opportunities presented by the Career Center, I would not have been able to find the job I have today.
Sara W.
Junior
Internship with Manatt Jones Global Strategies
I obtained my summer internship through The Washington Center program, offered by the Pomerantz Career Center. My favorite part of the internship was that I learned something new every day. I attended weekly meetings at “think tanks” and hearings on Capitol Hill regarding specific Latin American issues, after which, I wrote memos to clients to update them on the points discussed. Another responsibility was to write briefings and compile research on issues ranging from the energy sector in Brazil, Mexico, and Peru to human rights in the Dominican Republic. The exposure to these issues was eye-opening. Working at Mannatt Jones sharpened my writing and research skills tremendously, leading to the co-authoring of an article with my supervisor that was published in World Trade Magazine.
The Washington Center is a wonderful opportunity that I am glad I took part in. Internships are important not only because they are an opportunity to network with professionals and gain career skills, but also because the insight gained from working in your field of choice can be applied to your studies when you come back to Iowa as well as help you define your future career path. My internship helped me gain confidence in my abilities and my future and taught me that what I am learning at The University of Iowa is applicable to my career path. I feel more prepared for my first job out of college now, wherever it may be. Accomplishing so much in one summer, and living and working in D.C. was definitely an experience of a lifetime.
Molly G.
Junior
94.7 WLS-FM; True Oldies Channel
Promotions
This internship helped me prepare for anything. I now realize that in my future career, it will help to have knowledge in various aspects of my profession. As a promotions intern, the biggest part of my job was to find new ways to reach out to people and promote the station. Being a communication major, many courses focus on different groups of people and the best way to communicate with each of them. My coursework became very important to brainstorming new ways of promotion.
I loved being a part of the radio scene in a big city. There were festivals almost every weekend and I had the opportunity to work with radio legends. As well as being fun, internships are a great way to gain experience and set up a network. If you do your job well, people you work with can become resources for your future career path. An internship is a great way to get your foot in the door.
Justin S.
Sophomore
Medical Education Research Facility UIHC
This summer, I had the opportunity to work on many biochemical experiments, which is, surprisingly, quite applicable to the biochemistry major. I enjoyed getting into a lab and being involved in projects that will have a huge impact in the medical field, which was a great hands on experience. In biology class, I am now studying some of the tasks I learned how to do in depth this summer while interning. I’m glad I feel ahead of the game.
I suggest finding an internship because it is a great resume builder. You may hate the job, you may love it. Either way you’ll have gained experience, the most valuable thing many future employers will look at. It may confirm what you originally planned to pursue, or it may do the opposite and make it obvious that you need to choose a different career path. Both scenarios help clarify your future.
Ethan A.
Senior
Southern California Edison (SCE) of Edison International (EIX)
Last summer, I wanted to intern for a company in an interesting industry. Southern California Edison is a utility company that provides energy sources (electric, hydro, nuclear, etc.) to the West Coast and I thought this would be fascinating with the energy and oil crisis our country is in. My division within the department focused on certain accounting procedures the company used to present what it does in the financial statements. It was very applicable to accounting coursework I have taken at the University of Iowa.
Through my internship, I learned a significant amount about the utility/energy industry and factors that have created challenges over the years. Moreover, I received an in-depth perspective of the challenges our country is facing with oil, water, and energy that you do not see on CNN or other media outlets.
I believe it is important to experience the work environment to assess what type of situation you want to be in some day. Internships offer practical leadership experience and allow you to learn from other leaders in real companies. I suggest looking all over the country or the globe for internships, especially if you plan to do multiple internships while in college. This allows you experience a variety of things and a new world.
Diane H.
Cerner Corporation
Business Consultant
I have just taken a position with Cerner as a business consultant in their healthcare IT. I will be entering into a 12-week training program to learn about the different solutions Cerner offers its clients. The training program will give me an overview of each department's function within Cerner and at the end of the program I will be placed in a department/career that fits my skill sets and interests.
During college my internship experiences were very beneficial in helping me decide what type of work environment suited me best. I interned with a variety of companies and in a variety of positions. I ultimately determined, through my internship experience, that I wanted to work for a large corporation and in a position that allowed for some travel.
I also took advantage of the career center's career fairs, mock interviews, Career Expo, and resume critiques. I used the Career Expo to schedule interviews while looking for a full-time job. The Senior Conference was also a great way for me to network with employers and to learn more about different companies and life after college.
If I could give any advice to students it would be the importance of networking with potential employers. Most applications are online now, and networking with employers will help you stand out from the other online applications. Internships and leadership positions are also important. Internships allow you to network with potential employers as well as give you experience in a field of interest. Leadership positions are a great resume builder. Employers want to hire leaders, and holding a leadership position in a student organization or service project shows the employer that you have leadership qualities.
Antwon S.
Wells Fargo Financial
Web Developer
My internship at Wells Fargo Financial through the Des Moines Center Internship Program gave me the real world tools that I needed to succeed in my field. I think all students should take an internship to make sure they know if the career they are pursuing is right for them.
Initially, I did not want to be a computer programmer, I thought it was too hard and took too much time to develop sites. Through the internship at Wells Fargo Financial I figured out that being a web developer is the right thing for me.
The Pomerantz Career Center has many services that I used to find and get the internship that I wanted. Using UI Employment Expo made it easy to find that internship. The people there are great. They truly care about the students and will do everything they can to help them.
Katy D.
Delta Gamma Fraternity
Collegiate Development Consultant
The most useful experience I’ve had at the University was my time with Fraternity and Sorority Life while at Iowa. I learned leadership, guidance and professional skills that have well prepared me for my exciting job ahead. Being a part of the fraternity and sorority community has led me to meet amazing people and gained lifelong skills.
These skills have developed over time and the career center served as a helpful resource. The career advisors were able to prep me through sample interview questions, resume reviews and employer interactions. I met with an advisor several times throughout my preparations and they were happy and willing to answer all my questions. I also participated in a mock interview with Target who helped me review possible interview questions and interview etiquette. I was able to act the part of an interviewee and received great feedback afterward. The Career Center also provided me with further materials which taught me skills needed for a great resume and cover letter. Everything helped me obtain an amazing job!
As a collegiate development consultant, I will be traveling throughout the United States and Canada on behalf of the Delta Gamma Fraternity. I was an active member in Delta Gamma throughout my undergraduate years and wanted to pursue further service to the fraternity. I will be traveling independently to many universities and colleges providing information and guidance to Delta Gamma women.
Students who are looking for a job should start with what they love doing. Those students that love volunteering should apply to work for a non-profit service organization. The students who enjoy their student organization experience should pursue that professionally. Students need to find a job where they will gain the most knowledge and help them grow.
Erin T.
Junior
Major: International Studies
Internship with The World Food Prize Foundation
Des Moines, Iowa
I’m working with an organization which recognizes members of the international community who are working to increase the quantity, quality, and availability of food for the rest of the world. This internship is a way for me to stay up-to-date on the most recent developments in the field and explore the variety of ways for an individual to work toward global food security. I get to work for a non-profit organization recognizing those individuals who I would consider personal heroes, such as Muhammed Yunus, winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize. Although this is such an internationally respected organization, I have become part of the 6 person staff. I’m not just a coffee runner.
I Assist the Foundation’s President, and directors of Planning, Secretariat Operations, Youth and Education Programs, and Communications in their daily work for the foundation. Currently, I am helping prepare to interview high school students applying for an internship and international research center for the 2008 summer.
Working for an international non-profit has helped me to realize the link between everything. While this might seem obvious, the stark contrast between college life and life working a full time job are completely different. The media tends to glamorize the young professional life, but I think we forget that 9am-6pm 5 days a week can be more tiring than staying up until absurd hours of the morning studying or finishing a paper.
Most importantly, an internship teaches you to how take classroom knowledge and extend it to fit everyday, real world situations. I’ve learned how important the general education program is; not only is writing and oral communication crucial to my job, but I find myself pulling what I’ve learned from my environmental science, statistic, international studies, political science, anthropology, and economics courses as well.
Kurt Griebel
Target Corporation
Store Team Lead
My involvement with the Pomerantz Career Center is to cultivate a relationship that inspires students to seek out their inner passion for their career choice. We want to enhance a solid brand both for Target on campus, as well as for the Career Center. What that means to me is to help in any way we can through vehicles such as the senior conference to panel participants in the Career Leadership Academy. Target and the Pomerantz Career Center mirror each other in what we focus on in leadership. The University of Iowa is a strong brand and we are honored to help in any way we can in helping students find the career of their choice. Being able to help a student find the right fit with a company is truly giving back to the community at The University of Iowa. I take that very seriously and it is precisely what we do at Target at many levels.
I truly believe that we have made a difference on campus. We have pointed students toward their goals and we have been fortunate beneficiaries of some great talent through internship offers as well as executives who have entered our corporation through the hiring process.
I think the Career Leadership Academy gives students an opportunity to examine their business conscience. It pools a wide variety of interests and majors together to cultivate diversity in career building to a new level. I am so impressed with this program. I encourage the students to take part in this academy of learning. These students are getting so much out of the experience. It is another key to unlocking your inner soul with what you plan to do for the rest of your life!
Erin M.
Junior
Major:Finance/Risk Management and Insurance Certificate
Internship with Holmes Murphy & Associates
Des Moines, IA
This internship has definitely affirmed that insurance was the industry that I wanted to be in. The most useful thing for me was getting to see the whole process of insurance from a broker’s perspective, from the time of sale, to handling claims, to renewing a policy, and everything in between. This has helped me take the concepts I have learned and am learning in my classes and to apply them in real-world situations.
This internship showed me what the working world is really like, and helped me realize that the company I work for in the future has to have certain qualities. What I really liked about Holmes Murphy was that they were incredibly devoted to their employees, there was a strong team-work atmosphere and they had a defined mission that was communicated through every department and level of the company. Any company that I work for in the future has to have attributes similar to these.
My favorite part of my internship was a program that Holmes Murphy had called “Intern U.” These were weekly sessions held on Monday mornings and they were usually led by executives in the company. Some sessions would be about the industry and Holmes Murphy’s role within the industry, and others were meant to challenge us on our career path. It led to a lot of defining moments in my life and helped me clarify where I want to go with my career, what I want to accomplish and what steps I need to take to reach these goals.
Other students should seek internships to be sure of what industry they would like to be in after graduation and because internships provide such a better picture of the real world. You learn so much more from an internship than you can ever learn in a classroom.
Josh S.
Graduate
Major:Accounting
Internship with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, IL
The audit engagement work that I participated in at my internship was applicable and useful to my major in accounting. My internship has helped me to gain a better understanding of the audit environment and what it is like to work in a large accounting firm. I also have a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of auditors in capital markets.
In particular, I enjoyed taking part in actual audit engagements and being given the opportunity to perform functions crucial to the engagement.
An internship provides a chance for the student to gain a view of the working world and a way to understand what full time work might be like. It helps you develop professionally, enables a company to judge you as a full time candidate, and gives you a better picture of the work you may be doing upon graduation
Ryan S.
Junior
Major:Interdepartmental Studies
Internship with Department of Treasury
Washington, DC
Through this internship I was able to meet high ranking officials in the Department of Treasury. I helped organize the Cultural Diversity Awareness Events and Intern Events that were held for the Dept of Treasury employees. For events I worked on contacting local prominent figures to be keynote speakers and I helped design handouts and other materials.
While in DC I was able to work on my organizational skills and to work against tight deadlines. In order to promote the events, posters, ads and handouts had to be created which allowed me to work with several other departments.
This internship has prepared me to work well with others and taught me how to coordinate tasks with other departments to meet deadlines.
My favorite thing about this internship was the opportunity that I had to meet people. My internship allowed me to meet important figures such as; the Secretary of Treasury, the chief of staff and white house liaison.
The personal growth that you get from an internship will be life changing. The networking opportunities and the friends you make will help you with your future career goals. All the other interns I talk to took something away from our time in DC.
Ian P.
Senior
Major: Communication Studies and History
Intern with Burlington Bees Professional Baseball Club
Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania
For a diehard baseball fan, an internship in Minor League Baseball is something worth doing, even if you don’t choose a career in that field. Initially, I sought out an internship with the Bees because of my love for the game of baseball and Burlington's close proximity to both Iowa City and my hometown, Keokuk. While in Burlington, I learned a lot about how affiliated Minor League Baseball works.
We were responsible for many things, including:
1) Facilitating the growth of Bees Baseball in Burlington, Keokuk, Mt. Pleasant, Ft. Madison, and West Central Illinois through community weekends.
2) Maintaining Community Field - this included cleaning the stadium before and after games, assisting the grounds crew, and tarping the field at all hours of the night for potential rain.
3) During games, we were responsible for promotional activities to involve the crowd
4) Coordination of group outtings on the Roof Top and Hall of Fame Suite as well as putting on theme nights such as: Jimmy Buffett Night and Luau Night
My favorite part of the internship experience was providing a fun escape for the fans. Minor League Baseball is all about the fans. Our goal was to present a fun atmosphere for the fans with the hopes of them returning for years to come.
Even if I don't pursue a career in Minor League Baseball, there are many things I can take away from my internship. I learned a lot about the business, marketing, and promotional aspects of Minor League Baseball. I actually became a pretty good salesman while we were promoting our community weekends, and I learned the importance of strong customer service.
Internships are infinitely valuable. They teach you a lot about your prospective fields and facilitate your professional growth. Also, internships open up a world of opportunities. I met many Minor League Baseball officials and Royals brass. When trying to get a job, sometimes it’s about who you know, not what you know. I developed a long list of references while with the Bees that could spur other opportunities within the game of baseball.
Brett T.
Alumnus, May 07
Major: Anthropology and Ancient Civilizations
Employed as a NFL Mascot
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
As I prepared to graduate from the University of Iowa, I wanted to pursue a career in the world of professional sports as a mascot. I had previous experience as a mascot at The University of Iowa, but since my education was not geared towards that kind of a career, I decided that the Pomerantz Career Center was a resource that would be invaluable in helping me realize my dreams.
In only two brief sessions they were able to help me update and customize my resume appropriately, prepare a cover letter and supplied me with valuable advice for the interviewing process. Without the assistance of the Pomerantz Career Center I never would have ended up in the position I have today – an NFL mascot!
Pat Wright
District Leader - The Buckle
The Pomerantz Career Center is a state of the art new facility. The people are fantastic – they’re helpful and very informative. Students should use the Pomerantz Career Center to help in their internship and job search because they are the connection between companies and the students. We feel it is important for students to participate in internships because it is a great hands-on experience and gives them the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom. Internships allow students to explore their major more in depth and find what it is they have a passion for. It’s also a great way to network and get their foot in the door at a company of interest.
Julie B.
Regional Recruiter - Enterprise Rent-A-Car
I have been a Regional Recruiting Manager for Enterprise in the Northern Suburbs of Chicago for seven years and with the company for the total of nine years. Enterprise Rent-A-Car is the largest rental car company in North America with more than 6,700 locations located in the United States, Canada, The United Kingdom, Germany, and Ireland. The rapid growth of the company allows Enterprise to have many entry-level Management Trainee opportunities. Enterprise promotes from within, so our training program allows for a fast track to a management career which also assists growth in other departments such as Fleet Services, Car sales, Truck Rental, Corporate Marketing, Human Resources and Recruiting. I began my career in the Management Training position upon graduating with a Bachelors degree in marketing. The training and support I received through Enterprise allowed me to quickly move up to an Assistant Manager within my first year and to a Branch Manager after only 15 months with the company. Once I reached the Branch Manager position, I had the opportunity to look at other opportunities within Enterprise and decided to pursue Recruiting. Enterprise has had a successful partnership with The University of Iowa Pomerantz Career Center for more than 15 years because the Career Center helped connect us with outstanding students that match the qualifications and criteria we look for. We participate in a wide variety of events on campus including job fairs, panel discussions, classroom presentations and on-campus interviews. We seek candidates who are interested in learning how to run a business for our Management program to build their own successful business career. The University of Iowa is one of our top schools for hiring for the Management Trainee position. We have seen many Iowa grads rise to management positions very quickly because of the skills and development they received in their class work. My advice for seniors is as you begin to search for your new career, be sure to check the advancement opportunities, corporate culture and values in addition to benefits and salary. Don’t allow starting pay to be your only determining factor when determining which company will be a good fit for you.