Dear J.T. & Dale: Is there such a thing as internships for adults? — J.K.
J.T.: I LOVE this question. I recently posted a summer internship for my company, Careerrealism.com, and got dozens of applicants, including several “adults” who are well into their careers but were intrigued by what they would learn in our program.
Dale: Not everyone will be as open-minded as J.T., but when you’re putting yourself out there, connecting with people who are doing hiring of any type, you are putting yourself in a position for good things to happen. For instance, my son applied for a summer internship and didn’t get it — instead, they liked him and gave him an assignment at a level above the internship.
J.T.: I also am hearing about “returnships.” If you do a search on the term, you’ll see some companies starting to offer programs for professionals who are re-entering the job market. But you need not limit yourself to programs that seem designed for your age or situation — as an employer, I was surprised and pleased to see the variety of people applying for my internship. And what I especially liked was that they didn’t feel like they had to “sell” me on the fact that they should be considered; they focused on their excitement for the job, not on their age. That’s what every employer wants for every job — excitement, energy and an eagerness to learn.
Jeanine “J.T.” Tanner O’Donnell is a professional development specialist and founder of CAREEREALISM.com. Dale Dauten’s latest book is “(Great) Employees Only: How Gifted Bosses Hire and De-Hire Their Way to Success” (John Wiley & Sons). Please visit them at www.jtanddale.com, where you can send questions via e-mail, or write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10019.
© 2009 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
