Under Armour Internship/Scholarship

Under Armour, the sports performance apparel, footwear, and accessories giant, is looking for the  two college undergrads to join the brand this summer as the “Under Armour Ultimate Intern Team.” If you think you can be the "ultimate intern" check out the information below!

Students may apply from April 5 - May 3 at http://ultimateintern.ua.com/ by uploading a resume and completing a handful of social challenges throughout the application process including developing a 40 second speech, interviewing an athlete, and creating a video documentary and a custom Tumblr page.

 Two interns will be chosen to work in the areas of digital and social engagement at Under Armour and will be provided exclusive access to sporting events, athlete training sessions, and the opportunity to test some of the brand’s innovative new performance technologies. The “Ultimate Intern Team” will be a part of the digital marketing team that concepts, writes, and captures content to distribute through Under Armour’s social media channels, activating around everything from product releases to athlete initiatives.  

 Developed with agency partner Red Tettemer + Partners, the “Ultimate Intern” search has grown into a successful social franchise for the brand, bringing in thousands of applicants and pieces of user generated content across the social web over two years.

 “At our core, Under Armour is about inspiring the next generation of athletes to continuously push the boundaries of performance. The Ultimate Intern search serves the same mantra as we look for the next young professional who is competitive, humble and hungry to succeed,” said Dan Mecchi, Under Armour Director, Digital Media. “The unique application process is designed to be a social combine – the strongest performers on the ‘playing field’ are the candidates that have what it takes to intern and succeed at Under Armour.”

 The internship is open to current undergraduate students who will be returning to school following the summer. Selected interns will each receive a $5,000 scholarship paid directly to his or her school and $500 in Under Armour apparel and footwear. The top ten candidates will be announced on May 3 and will participate in a Skype interview with Under Armour executives. The final selected candidates will be announced on or around May 10 and will report for their summer internship from May 28 through August 9, 2013.

 For full terms, more information, or to apply, visit: http://ultimateintern.ua.com/.  

 About Under Armour, Inc.Under Armour® (NYSE: UA) is a leading developer, marketer, and distributor of branded performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. The brand's moisture-wicking synthetic fabrications are engineered in many different designs and styles for wear in nearly every climate to provide a performance alternative to traditional natural fiber products. The company's products are sold worldwide and worn by athletes at all levels, from youth to professional, on playing fields around the globe. The Under Armour global headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland. For further information, please visit the company's website at www.UA.com.

Good luck if you're applying! 

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Should I choose a marketable major over an interesting one?

A reader writes:

"Currently I am pursuing a BS in Business Studies with a focus in Computer Information Technology. I chose this focus (IT) because I feel like it is necessary knowledge. However, I am only moderately (at best) interested in the IT world. I am trying to decide if I want to change my focus to Small Business Management or International Management (both of which I am very interested in) or keep the IT focus being that it seems this is more necessary (or seems this way to me). Am I wrong in thinking that the IT focus is necessary and would make me more competitive? Would a small business or international business focus be a good choice of a major?

Additional info: If there is such a thing as a dream job mine  would be owning a microbusiness (makes me want the Small Bus. Management) that interfaces with customers via the internet (Makes me want the IT focus). Also I speak Spanish and would be very interested in expanding business into Latin America, potentially (makes me interested in the International Business)"

Choosing a major is not always easy, especially when it comes picking a specialization area within your major. I usually encourage students to consider both their interests, professional goals, and what they dislike to help clarify what direction to go in. In your case, both your interests and professional goals are pushing you away from the IT focus. Pay attention to that.

Also, choosing a major or specialization based on what you think will be more marketable rather than what matches your interests, professional goals, and ultimately make you happiest can be a dangerous thing. Think of it this way: If you are unhappy in your classes and start to do poorly, would it have been worth it because you thought it was more marketable?

However, one important thing to keep in mind when it comes to business is that your experience is typically more important than your focus area in college. So you may be better served by seeking out leadership positions, volunteer opportunities, or internships in international, small, and IT business. Not only will this experience help you clarify which focus is the best fit for you, it will help you be more qualified for positions after graduation 

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Get FREE business cards from InternMatch!

This is a guest post by Ashley, a first-generation college graduate. Ashley is the Community Manager for InternMatch, a free online internship database based in San Francisco, CA with positions all over.

As a first-generation college student I encountered many challenges when it was time to apply for internships. I didn’t know about the importance of interning, like that the majority of full-time employment offers are extended to students who have interned. I was also clueless about creating a professional cover letter and resume, finding positions that would be a good fit, and networking at internship job fairs.

Luckily for me, all was not lost! I discovered a great support system through my school’s career counseling office and professors. As a result, I completed several awesome internships in cool places like New York City and Cebu, Philippines. Now I’m the go-to girl for other people looking for awesome positions!

Many students don’t have the kind of support that I had, which is why sites like Ask an Advisor and InternMatch are such critical resources. It is our goal to make sure that the internship process is as effortless, effective and rewarding as possible - and that students are competitive for top positions.

This is why InrernMatch launched our free student business card campaign:

What's in it for you? InternMatch believes that every student should have a business card when interviewing with employers. Not only is it professional, but it's also a great way for you to demonstrate that you're serious about your career. It's also a unique way to standout among your peers.

You would be surprised at the number of students who don't have a business card! Once we realized this problem, we partnered with Moo.com to create this campaign.

Signing up is easy! First, register for a FREE InternMatch account. Once registered, you will be re-directed to a special page to begin designing your business cards, with the option to choose from hundreds of templates or design your own. Students often design cards based on their academic majors, extracurricular activities and hobbies.

In addition to free business cards, registered students will have access to InternMatch's over 4,000 internships with companies like CBS, Kiva, Yelp and Pixar - as well as access to lots of resources and how-to guides on applying for internships and tackling tricky interview questions.

What's in it for InternMatch? Nothing... We're just spreading some good karma! We know that students who complete internships are usually the most competitive for post-graduation employment. These resources prepare students to land their dream internship - and they’re also the first step toward their long-term professional development.

Finding internships means acquiring a slew of new skills, a process that often feels daunting in the beginning. However, once equipped with the tools needed to do well at job fairs and interviews, it becomes much less intimidating - even fun!

Business cards are not only easy and simple to create, but they’re also a great step toward getting ahead of the pack and InternMatch is excited to help!

As part of the campaign, InternMatch is offering to FREE custom design business card templates for student organizations. If your group is interested, please contact ashley@internmatch.com to take advantage of this limited time offer.

Got other questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Should high school stuff come off your resume? Part III

I've answered questions about when should high school stuff come off your resume before. This seems to be quite the popular topic among first generation and low income college students (and I suspect all college students). Another reader commented:

"Im in my second year,in a four year degree.Ive done nothing in college....il be applyng for some petroleum company most probably,which does mean leading/working abroad mixing etc. So this is all from school- A 20 day student exchange trip to germany for learning educational and culture differences (government sponsored) and being Selected by my state for learning in an under-18 National tennis camp (also government sponsored) and won junior state titles and was capatain of football/cricket teams and best athlete in final year.Also very good chess player..... can i include these things or they will all be rather called 'sucesses' than 'learning experiences'"

So your first problem is that you've "done nothing in college." By the time you graduate from college, you should have at least three relevant experiences related (at least somewhat) to your career goals. Definitely take advantage of what your college has to offer and get involved on campus, take on leadership role or position, get an internship, and do some volunteer work.

Generally speaking, employers look much more favorably on students with related experience rather than just good grades, so go out there and get yourself that related experience. Start now.

As for the experience you are currently listing, some of it can stay and some of it should go. You can put the student exchange experience under education. It might look something like this:

Education
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
University of ABC
Expected 05/2013 

Cultural Exchange Program
XYZ High School, Berlin, Germany
05/2009

• Learned educational and culture differences during 20-day student exchange trip

For the sports activities, stick with the leadership aspects. In other words, if you are going to list being captain of a sports team, make sure you focus on the leadership skills and concrete things you did to lead your teams rather than the sport-related stuff.

For example, if you led team meetings, coordinated fundraisers to buy equipment, or assisted the coaches to develop game strategies, concentrate on that sort of thing rather than on-the-field activities. Think broadly about your experiences and pull out the aspects about them that matter to employers or are related to the position you are applying for.

You can add an Achievements section to list your sports awards, but these awards should come off by the end of the year as you gain more college experience. Also, only include these awards if you think they will be seen as valuable by the person reading your resume. The Achievements section might look like this:

Achievements
Best Athlete in Final Year award, XYZ High School Football Team, June 2010
Junior State Title, XYZ High School Cricket Team, June 2009

No matter what you're applying for, it always boils down to tailoring your resume for the positions you are applying for. Remember, it's not what's important to you, your resume should be tailored to what is important to the person reading your resume.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Finding your first internship

This is a guest post by Nate Whiston, a first generation college graduate and Vice President of marketing for InternMatch, an online internship database and career-building resource based in Mountain View, CA.

Internships have become a staple for gaining professional experience as a first generation or low income student. Most employers expect you to have at least one internship in your portfolio—and sometimes they want two or more internships. (Ask an Advisor note: The Advisor recommends you have at least three career-related experiences by the time you graduate from college!)

The big question though, is how do you land your first internship? Here's how:

Build your network. Get to know your professors, parents’ friends, friends’ parents, mentor, and other professionals in the industry you are interested in. Learn where they work and don’t be afraid to reach out to them. Build meaningful relationships with people by asking them deep, professional questions (not just for help). Ask how they climbed to their current position, what challenges they faced, and keep the conversation friendly. Meaningful dialog will get them to want to help and eventually recommend you for internships.

You can also connect with professionals through your local Chamber of Commerce and sites like Meetup.com. Students that go to professional events stand out, which is exactly what you should be striving to do.

Shameless self-promotion. Networking means having to market yourself. Get acquainted with LinkedIn and connect with everyone you know and meet. An effective tip is making all of your online profile pictures the same. Creating a brand for yourself makes it much easier for people to remember you. Furthermore, small things really make you stand out in the recruitment process. Get business cards and always carry them because you never know who is going to walk into the elevator with you.

Don’t be afraid to apply. Applying to 10-15 internships is average right now, though not all have to be focused in your field. In fact, reaching into other business settings can sometimes benefit you more. For example, working with a start-up company or small business allows you to see the bones of the operation and learn multiple facets of every day work. To find more opportunities to apply to you should visit your career center about posted positions or search through InternMatch’s vast internship database.

Stand out in the crowd. One of the biggest questions InternMatch gets is how to stand out if you have no prior experience. Depending on your field, you can use projects outside of school to demonstrate your passion and knowledge of a field. For example if you want to be a marketer or journalist, start a blog on Wordpress. Or if you want to be a programmer, write code and publish it on GitHub. Do something that shows you are passionate and dedicated to a field. Include this experience on your resume and the passion in your cover letter.

Ultimately, finding an internship isn’t always easy but the preparation process helps teach valuable interviewing and self-branding skills and gives you other professional experience which you will use for the rest of your life.

Remember to enjoy the process. For more information on getting your first internship, check out InternMatch’s 40+ ways to find your first internship.

If you have questions about finding your first internship or InternMatch, you can email Nate Whiston directly. Got other questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Go to a job or internship fair

There are some things you should definitely experience in college, like going to a retreat or conference. I also think a valuable experience for many first generation and low income college students is attending a job or internship fair, too.

Job and internship fairs are your chance to network with potential employers and other students interested in similar careers or activities. Many job and internship fairs will also be tailored to a specific industry or area, like science/engineering or non-profit organizations.

Photo credit: http://matcmatters.matcmadison.edu

You can find job and internship fairs hosted by your school or within your local community. Your campus career center should be able to point you in the right direction.

Not sure how to best present yourself at a job or internship fair? Check out our friend Alison Green over at Ask a Manager and US News for great advice about standing out at a job fair.

Good skill at your next job or internship fair. (And yes, I said "Good skill." Why? Because you need skill and not just luck to make a job or internship fair a success.)

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Get leadership experience and skills

College is awesome, but your academic experience isn't the only experience you should be concerned with getting. I highly recommend that you have at least three career-related experiences by the time you graduate from college, such as internships and least one solid leadership experience.

Really, you should be actively trying to develop your leadership skills. Leadership experience and skills will help you long after graduation, in your career, in graduate or professional school, and in life in general. But where can you get leadership experience and skills? Here are a few ideas for sources of leadership experience and skills building:

Know thyself. To understand what leadership skills you need to build, it's always a good idea to know where you're starting from. You can learn about your current skill set by taking a skills assessment at your school's career center. 

Get involved on-campus. If you're involved in any student organizations, campus groups, or on-campus jobs, these are all great places to take on a leadership role and boost your skills.

Take it off-campus. Internships, jobs, or volunteer experiences are all opportunities to gain leadership skills. Step up to take on a special project or lead a team whenever possible.

Learn from others. A great way to gain leadership skills is to get mentored by a leader you respect and absorb as much as you can. Having a leadership role model will help inspire you to gain more experience and build your skills further.

Showcase it. As you are gaining leadership experience and skills, you want to visit the career center to help best showcase your experience and skills on your resume.

Now go out there are get some leadership experience and build those skills.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Intern at the White House!

Imagine how awesome it would be spending the summer doing research, learning about public service, and gaining valuable leadership experience in the White House. Well, it doesn't have to be a dream. You may be able to do just that by applying for the White House Internship.

Photo credit: http://logok.org/

This exciting internship is open to:

• United States citizens
• At least 18 years of age on or before the first day of the internship
• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program OR graduated in the past two years from undergraduate or graduate program OR a veteran of the US Armed Forces who possesses a high school diploma or its equivalent and has served on active duty at any time over the past two years

 You can apply for an internship in different areas, including but not limited to:

• Chief of Staff
• Office of the First Lady
• Office of Management and Administration
• Energy and Climate Change
• Health Reform

If your eyebrow is raised and you think this could be the awesome internship  you are looking for, here are a few more tidbits of information about it:

• The summer internship term runs from May 31, 2011 – August 12, 2011 (If you go to a school on the quarter system, the FAQ page has some info for you!)
• The White House internship program is an unpaid program
• The White House internship program is a full-time program and Interns will be expected to work from approximately 9am-6pm, Monday-Friday
• A completed packet includes: two essays, a current resume, and three letters of recommendation

If you've got questions about this internship, check out their FAQ page for answers. If you think this is the right internship for you, you can apply online. Applications are due January 8, 2011 before 11:59pm Eastern time. Good luck!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.