Welcome to Chamber Intern Connect—the newest part of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Initiative. The goal of this initiative is to connect college students with Boston-area employers through high-value, experience-based internships. These internships are designed to allow students to engage with the region's business community and develop valuable career skills, while simultaneously allowing employers to fill current workforce needs and build relationships with the region's future leaders.
Chamber Intern Connect is a free service for students and Chamber member companies, and it’s easy to get started.
If you've never participated in an internship, you absolutely should--they're very rewarding! Check out some of the benefits of doing an internship below from an interesting i-to-i article:
Gain Valuable Work Experience
An internship provides the opportunity to gain hands on work experience that you just can’t get in the classroom. Companies are willing to spend time training interns and giving them the experience they need to get a job.
Have an Edge in the Job Market
Employers are usually more concerned with your work experience than your qualifications and internships are often the only way to get the work experience you need to secure a job, so they're a vital part of your resume. Many employers prefer or require applicants who have done an internship or relevant work experience and in many of the more competitive job markets it is essential to set you apart from the others.
Transition into a Job
Employers see interns as prospective employees and many finish their internships and continue working with the company full time. Internships are the number one way for employers to find new staff. Think of it as a really long interview, after which you’ve proved that you are a capable and hardworking employee. Just as you’re giving the industry and the company a trial run, they’re doing the same for you.
Decide if this is the Right Career for You
If you’re not sure if this is the right career for you, doing an internship is a great way to try it out. Internships are generally short-term, so you can test your future career without committing and find out if it is a career that will satisfy you.
Networking Opportunities
Internships are a great way to meet people in your field. Even if you have experience, knowing people never hurts. An internship allows you to meet people who might help you land a job later on and give you the contacts in the industry you’re trying to break into. Plus, references from people in the industry will really add weight to your application.
Apply Classroom Knowledge
An internship can be seen as the pinnacle of your undergraduate education and give you the chance to use the skills you've learned in the classroom in a real-world setting. It’s a chance to prove the worth of your qualifications and to show that you can perform in the role you've been given.
Gain Confidence
Getting experience is a great way to build your confidence. What's more, if you have an impressive resume, you will be more confident in your chances of securing a job.
Now that you know the benefits of doing an internship, use our site to find one that fits you!
If you want to have a successful internship, it's best to research what skills and qualifications employers are looking for in today's environment. As someone who started as an intern at the Chamber and was then hired as a fulltime employee, I can tell you that embracing the qualities listed below will help you make the most of your internship.
Check out these skills that employers have recognized as important candidate characteristics:
- Strong work ethic
- Dependable and responsible
- Possessing a positive attitude
- Adaptability
- Honesty and integrity
- Self-motivated
- Willing to grow and learn
- Strong self-confidence
- Professionalism
- Loyalty
I hope these tips are helpful in your internship search!
Chamber Intern Connect is a great resource for both students and employers and it's really easy to get started. Just follow the directions below.
Employers
Posting an internship is just a few clicks away! Register here or sign in to broadcast your internship opportunities to hundreds of the region's most talented students.
If you are posting to the site for the first time, watch this short, informative video on how to request access to post an internship for free.
If your company is considering offering internships for the first time, we are available to help you craft the perfect internship experience or program. Feel free to email or call us at 617.557.7344.
Students
You're only one click away! Start here to register for Chamber Intern Connect and begin your search for an internship at some of Greater Boston's leading businesses.