Internship Resources & Support Webinar Recap
Wednesday, April 30 at 7 p.m. EST (Zoom) 

This recap of the Internship Resources and Support webinar that was held on April 30 has been condensed for brevity. If you have any questions, please contact Alexa Donegan ’16 G’20 (adonegan@lasell.edu), director of parent and community relations.

Jessi Orlando, Assistant Director, Center for Career Readiness and Internship Programs

• jorlando@lasell.edu, 617-243-2307, and Career Center website
• Jessi just completed her 11th academic year at Lasell.
• Her office is located in the Edwards Student Center above the Valentine Dining Hall and across the hall from the Health Center.
• Understands that the internship process can be anxiety-inducing for students and parents.
• All students are required to complete one 150-hour internship (in the summer, fall, or spring semester).
• Some programs have different internship requirements.
• At the same time that the student is doing the internship, they must be enrolled in a one-credit internship class.
• While Lasell supports students’ internship search, Lasell does not place students into internships. … This is intentional so students can experience the job search process for themselves so they can conduct searches throughout their lives.
• Lasell does not say: “Go find an internship on your own.” There is plenty of support available.
• Students are more invested when they search for an internship of their own choice.
• Jessi offers help with resume and cover letter preparation and creating linkedin profiles.
• Lasell students have access to Handshake, a widely used online job board customized for students and recent grads that one million companies use.
• The School of Humanities, Education, Justice, and Social Sciences (HEJJS) maintains a database of where its students have interned in the past.
• Students should seek to connect with alumni working in their field.
• A dozen alumni from various professions spoke to students in classes during the academic year. … The alumni shared their experiences, offered advice, and gave students a chance to build their professional networks.
• Internship application times vary but could be as long as 4-6 months so students should not procrastinate and should start their search early.
• Departments and offices across campus offer internship opportunities.
• Lasell offers $3,000 stipends for students completing otherwise-unpaid summer internships. … A total of 11 students were awarded stipends this summer. … They are working at places like the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks baseball team, State Fire Marshal’s Office in Rhode Island, Boston Event Guide, and Berkshire Hathaway. … More information available
  here.

Jovonte Santos, Assistant Professor of Communication

• jasantos@lasell.edu, 617-243-2000, Donahue, Room 304
• Member of the Lasell faculty since 2012
• Teaches the pre internship class (2 credit course that aids students in their search) and field experience (3 credit course where student work 150hrs on their site)
• He says: “No students fall through the cracks.” They are supported prior to their search and once they are in their internship.
• He noted that outside of classes, students are supported through access to professional development via workshops, their schools (via the major showcase day of professionals/work in the industry), career fairs, and more. 
• The internship process is an individualized plan for each student that is tailored to their skills, passions, major and readiness.
• Students should look for internships in private, public, and nonprofit sectors that align with a). their department requirements, b). allows them to work 150hrs, and c). connect to their passions, skills and overall career interests.