PebHmong Discussion Forum

Academic => College Life => Topic started by: Risingstars on May 04, 2015, 12:29:20 PM

Title: IT Internship
Post by: Risingstars on May 04, 2015, 12:29:20 PM
So the IT department at the college is looking for a few Interns and I was planning on applying for it. So far this is all the things I could think of as to what I know and can do....I'm thinking should I modify it a bit more because from what I know about colleges, they use LAN/WAN connections as well as virtual servers and Wifi setup. I'm pretty good at Wifi setup and getting a computer to connect to the internet. I'm able to install OS on Virtual machines like VMWare.

What do you guys suggest?


Professional Skills
Technical
•   Demonstrate technical abilities in the areas of computer systems, software installation and testing
•   Interpret manuals, procedures and computer programs provided by the company
•   Analyze computer problems by testing to determine which computer parts need replacement or repair
•   Problem-solved personal computer programs to achieve higher performance
Computer
•   Test and diagnose computer systems
•   Produce quality written documents using Microsoft Office 2013
•   Installed, configure and test software
•   Knowledge of computer and laptop installation
Software
•   PeopleSoft
•   Microsoft Office Suite
•   Knowledge of Windows and Mac operating systems
Special Skills
•   Fluent in Hmong and English

Volunteer Activities
Hmong Student Union Club                         2011-2012
•   Elected as President of Hmong Student Union
•   Assist in events and meetings

Volunteer Certificates
•   Certificate of Achievement in Student Government Association Leadership Development
•   Hmong Student Union Certificate of Excellence
•   Recognition of Involvement in the Hmong Annual Festival Celebration 2008
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: minorcharacter on May 04, 2015, 12:39:57 PM
Hi, RisingStars do you mind posting the description of the IT internship here?  IT can differ in so many different ways from doing help desk support, networks engineering, web development, to mobile development.  My general principle is to reuse words on the job description on your resume.  If you don't have a direct connection with the hiring manager then this will help your resume get through the filter if they use a job posting site like taleos.
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: Risingstars on May 04, 2015, 12:54:05 PM
Hi, RisingStars do you mind posting the description of the IT internship here?  IT can differ in so many different ways from doing help desk support, networks engineering, web development, to mobile development.  My general principle is to reuse words on the job description on your resume.  If you don't have a direct connection with the hiring manager then this will help your resume get through the filter if they use a job posting site like taleos.

Its through college website but the Internship hasn't been posted yet. I just got a call from my counselor about the Internship and for me if I'm interested, to apply when its posted. What I posted was part of my actual resume. I learned through connections with classmates and advisers that when creating a resume to match with the posting. I did that with the previous job posting but I didn't get it because there was a lot of people who apply for that job. The cool thing is that I had a phone interview with them. It gave me some good points to having a phone interviewer and how I should prepare in the future.

Laugh out loud, I learned that you should never studder when you are having the phone interview. It sucks when you can't clearly explain yourself when you're nervous.
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: Risingstars on May 04, 2015, 01:05:37 PM
Do you suggest I put down as well that I know a little bit about using Kali to penetrate through security? I learned this from a class.
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: minorcharacter on May 04, 2015, 01:08:33 PM
I'm sure your resume will be fine then.  Sounds like it's the interview process itself that will get you.  As you get more interviews you'll get more experience and have a general guideline of do's and don'ts and your confidence will grow.  Your ability to articulate yourself will also improve overall.  I don't think there's an easy way around this, study some behavioral questions they might ask you and go with the flow.  Internships have more to do with whether the hiring manager thinks you'll be a fit for the team rather than your current skills or experience.  Attitude is something that your school won't teach you.  O0
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: minorcharacter on May 04, 2015, 01:10:15 PM
Do you suggest I put down as well that I know a little bit about using Kali to penetrate through security? I learned this from a class.

Yes, if the internship works with security and you can fit it in somewhere without having it awkwardly stand out.
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: Risingstars on May 04, 2015, 01:15:00 PM
I'm sure your resume will be fine then.  Sounds like it's the interview process itself that will get you.  As you get more interviews you'll get more experience and have a general guideline of do's and don'ts and your confidence will grow.  Your ability to articulate yourself will also improve overall.  I don't think there's an easy way around this, study some behavioral questions they might ask you and go with the flow.  Internships have more to do with whether the hiring manager thinks you'll be a fit for the team rather than your current skills or experience.  Attitude is something that your school won't teach you.  O0

Awesome man, thanks for the tip....The previous job internship I applied for. It took me 1 week to create the resume, 3 days for the cover letter and 2 weeks going over interview questions. You have a huge advantage when it comes to interviewing because you can use notes and stuff that are right in front of you but here is the catch. If you prepare yourself only by looking at notes and not going with the flow, you're going to be off hand and scramble for answers. That is what I did, and now I learned that I shouldn't go off my paper but use that only as a reference. But It is okay, life doesn't just end right there, I have to keep moving and keeping practicing.
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: Risingstars on May 04, 2015, 08:29:33 PM
Okay so Minor, they finally posted the Internship.... Here is the requirements.




Based on the candidate’s skills, abilities and interests, PRIMARY duties include any or all of the following:

(1) Troubleshoot computer related problems;

(2) Install software on equipment;

(3) Install data or communications wiring;

(4) Install hardware components in existing machines;

(5) Install hardware in offices, classrooms and labs;

(6) Install technology in interactive classrooms;

(7) Assist with Audio/Visual Install and set-up;

(8) Transport and setting up equipment.

SECONDARY duties may include:

(1) Provide Technical Support in a Help Desk environment;

(2) Provide phone, email and Level 1 support in a Help Desk environment;

(3) Research hardware/software requirements/questions/inventory status;

(4) Performs other related departmental duties as requested by the supervisor.


Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: minorcharacter on May 05, 2015, 08:46:39 AM
Oh man, sounds like if you know how to use a computer and how to follow instructions from google then you're pretty much good for the job.  You almost already sound overqualified.  You don't need luck.  LOL

Just be sure to overcome your problems with speech and you'll be fine.  Join up with a Toastmaster's group or something.
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: lilly on May 05, 2015, 02:10:34 PM
Oh man, sounds like if you know how to use a computer and how to follow instructions from google then you're pretty much good for the job.  You almost already sound overqualified.  You don't need luck.  LOL

Just be sure to overcome your problems with speech and you'll be fine.  Join up with a Toastmaster's group or something.

minorcharacter = wise one

yeah, seems like they are looking for 1st level tech support... should be easy peasy.  like minor says if it's speech/confidence that needs a little omph... toastmasters are fun.  if i had more time i would join one too... it's kinda fun speaking in front of a room in a take charge kind of way, like you're some leader/ceo of a non-existent billionaire company.... totally fun.
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: Envy2 on May 11, 2015, 03:45:56 PM
Oh man, sounds like if you know how to use a computer and how to follow instructions from google then you're pretty much good for the job.  You almost already sound overqualified.  You don't need luck.  LOL

Just be sure to overcome your problems with speech and you'll be fine.  Join up with a Toastmaster's group or something.

LMAOF good one.
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: Risingstars on May 13, 2015, 10:50:48 AM
So the college contacted me and ask me to go in for a 2 day interview, both days has a 1 hour long interview. Holy balls am I excited...Is this a good time to bring in Letter of Recommendation s too?
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: minorcharacter on May 13, 2015, 10:56:35 AM
Yes!  Be sure to stuff your crotch.  Your interviewer, most likely a man, will immediately notice this and become intimidated and feel inferior to you.  This will give you control of the interview allowing you to better play your bargaining chips while he cowers in fear and his voice slowly cracks away.
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: Risingstars on May 13, 2015, 10:59:52 AM
Yes!  Be sure to stuff your crotch.  Your interviewer, most likely a man, will immediately notice this and become intimidated and feel inferior to you.  This will give you control of the interview allowing you to better play your bargaining chips while he cowers in fear and his voice slowly cracks away.

LOL! Hahaha good one. I will do some practicing interview later on today. And thank you for all the advice you given me. PH should promote you to Member of the month....
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: Risingstars on May 13, 2015, 12:51:13 PM
I know they will ask me....What do you know about our company? How would I go about addressing this if its a college?
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: Risingstars on June 12, 2015, 04:41:47 PM
I think I write about this all the time.

S-Situation
T-Task
A-Action
R-Result

Practice using the STAR method and you will be the best candidate.  for each item listed, make sure you have a good story to tell.  Turn the interview into a conversation about how awesome you will contribute  to the organization while expanding your knowledge and experience.

OMG i never knew they would ask this so much....I have been to so many interviews and they ask me this all the time. I studder and don't know how to answer this...
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: Risingstars on June 12, 2015, 04:50:36 PM
Until, recently on Thursday I had a phone interview. The nice lady asked me a bunch of questions like, "do you know anything about our company?" I hit her with a memorable event they had connecting that to their mission. She replied back, "that is exactly what we are". Then she went on and asked me the STAR question, previous employer's management, what else do I what them to know about me, and any questions for her. I thought the phone interview went pretty good and she said that I should hear back from them in 1 week or 2 from the IT department manager. It's awesome because just today (Friday), I received a phone call from the IT department manager. This tells me that I have aced the phone interview part and now its the face to face interview with the IT department manager and the "what could be co-workers who I will work with".

I'm very confident I will do good.
I'm planning on bringing at least 10 copies of my resume, cover letters, professional references, pens, my padfolio, and my letter of recommendation s.

What are some other stuff you guys suggest I should bring or say at the interview?
I know I would land in this job if I aced this part as well.
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: thePoster on June 14, 2015, 10:37:18 AM
Oh man, sounds like if you know how to use a computer and how to follow instructions from google then you're pretty much good for the job.  You almost already sound overqualified.  You don't need luck.  LOL

Just be sure to overcome your problems with speech and you'll be fine.  Join up with a Toastmaster's group or something.


Google, that's the truth, I myself am the computer rep and when people ask me things I just tell them " well you can Google it or I can Google it"  basically I'm saying to them I know just as much as they do, so how about them doing it themselves.   

I don't have any computer experiences!  I just turn the, on and off like everyone!
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: Risingstars on June 14, 2015, 11:17:39 AM

Google, that's the truth, I myself am the computer rep and when people ask me things I just tell them " well you can Google it or I can Google it"  basically I'm saying to them I know just as much as they do, so how about them doing it themselves.   

I don't have any computer experiences!  I just turn the, on and off like everyone!

Google is a good source of information. I'm asking for personal experiences that I can't really find on Google.
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: Risingstars on June 19, 2015, 12:55:32 PM
OMG! I got the job hahaha. Feeling relief but I'm on temp for 30 days. But still need to work 40 hours a week.
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: itdiestoday on June 23, 2015, 09:29:19 AM
Congrats.  Doing LAN/WAN and Network Engineering can be big bucks in the long run.  Good luck.
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: Risingstars on June 24, 2015, 11:26:38 AM
As a college student myself any internship will always benefit you, I have never seen an internship that is a front desk assistant. I personally am working as an intern right now not in my field of study but it is a great experience to go outside the box. I'm a Mechanical Engineering (designing concentration) working as an IT.

Haha wow that is definitely out of your career. Sad but its true about what you said about experience outside of the box. I was an Interpreter for 4 years now and I just finally landed a job in the IT field. But just working as an internship. Decent pay and I guess they are very flexible with your schedules. I haven't started the internship yet, I'll be starting it this coming Monday. When I was being interviewed by the IT department manager, he said basically when you first start the internship position they will just have you work on deploying and configuring workstations along with helping deploy phone systems and printers. A few months later you will have to be able to help out with the ticketing system which is to be able to fix hardware and whatever they need help with.
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: Risingstars on December 05, 2015, 02:37:48 PM
I was thinking...how did your internship go?

Haha, it's been a while since I came logged on to PebHmong. It's going pretty good with my internship. I had my first 1 on 1 with my supervisor and he asked me how long left until I graduate? I told him that I won't be until December of 2016 and it seems pretty long to him because my contract ends in June of 2016. He said that he would be glad to hire me for a position but there isn't anything he can do right now because our team is full. I sit on the other side of our team so I'm kind of left out. Just this coming December 11th, one of the server guys will be quitting his job to accept a job offer closer to his town so that will open up a position. I had a talk with a few of our team members and one of them said that when they got hired in the department, they will eventually take a promotion if there is a chance. So what that means for me is that I will need to create a good resume and cover letter to apply for the position of the team member that will go take that server position. It seems right off the bat that my supervisor and team mates will want to hire me I know the principals of the work ethic there. At first when I got into the internship, I was pretty quite and don't talk much. Now I'm more of a buddy to everyone of them. Sometimes when there are big projects, I'll be the first one to throw in my hand and say "I'll help". That shows that I have a great leadership in not afraid of helping.

I really like working with the people I work with. Usually when I get a job, its just a job to pay for bills. Now this job that I have as an internship, I wouldn't miss a day of work unless I really have to. Sometimes the supervisor would treat us out to lunch. And for this semester, one of the team member from my department took the same class as me and the supervisor is like who ever gets the highest grade in that class, I will treat out to lunch. LOL!. I'm in the lead. I have a 99.48% grade and he has a 92.18% I just can't believe it.
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: Risingstars on December 09, 2015, 11:08:15 AM
Looks like you have a good relationship with your boss and peers.  Awesome news brother.  Keep up the good work.

An anecdotal story for you.  I often hear about Hmong brothers and sisters who hit the glass ceiling in their career/role after 5-10 yrs.  I ask them how is your relationship with your boss.  It's always the same old answer, "meh."  Meaning, their relationship is mediocre at best and strain at worst.  You see that is a problem with the asian mentality.  We think having the highest GPA, SAT, etc... equals success, but in the real world, the best relationships equals success.  Make sure you continue to foster trust in your as a servant, confidence in you as a player, and most importantly integrity and honesty as a human being.  If you can do these things very well, you will go places people didn't think you had the ability to.

Thank you for the encouragement. I really enjoy what I do at work. I'm planning on continuing my education after I get the job (if I get promoted from intern to actual hire).
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: techy on August 24, 2019, 12:27:44 PM
It's been a while now. How did this experience work out?
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: Risingstars on August 27, 2019, 07:53:56 AM
It's been a while now. How did this experience work out?
It was one hell of a life change. I never knew that getting that experience as an intern could change your life. When I was an intern I was making $13 an hour but learning a lot of things in IT. Then came a financial opportunity change. I applied at a health insurance company as a Information Systems Desktop Engineer. And that basically change everything about me financially. Making $54k a year plus yearly bonuses and any expenses that I paid with my own my the company will pay back.
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: lilly on August 28, 2019, 08:54:03 PM
It was one hell of a life change. I never knew that getting that experience as an intern could change your life. When I was an intern I was making $13 an hour but learning a lot of things in IT. Then came a financial opportunity change. I applied at a health insurance company as a Information Systems Desktop Engineer. And that basically change everything about me financially. Making $54k a year plus yearly bonuses and any expenses that I paid with my own my the company will pay back.

Good for you, Risingstars!
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: Risingstars on August 29, 2019, 09:01:30 AM
Good for you, Risingstars!
Thank you. But then when you work more and don't really have time for your spouse and kids. That's what will cause at home problems...it's what I'm dealing with at the moment.
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: lilly on August 29, 2019, 05:36:36 PM
Thank you. But then when you work more and don't really have time for your spouse and kids. That's what will cause at home problems...it's what I'm dealing with at the moment.

I understand what you mean.  But family always comes first.  You can always find a new job but you can't replace your family/wife/kids.  Find the balance that works for you.
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: w1s3m0n on September 19, 2019, 10:19:28 PM
It was one hell of a life change. I never knew that getting that experience as an intern could change your life. When I was an intern I was making $13 an hour but learning a lot of things in IT. Then came a financial opportunity change. I applied at a health insurance company as a Information Systems Desktop Engineer. And that basically change everything about me financially. Making $54k a year plus yearly bonuses and any expenses that I paid with my own my the company will pay back.

That's great to hear.  Never settle.  Learn Robotic Process Automation.  That's the future.  There's a Hmong guy who is the VP of Innovation at that company.
Title: Re: IT Internship
Post by: Risingstars on October 18, 2019, 02:40:26 PM
Nice. I have a pretty good mind set of where I'm going. Currently an Informations Systems Engineer. Planning on moving up the chain to either a Senior Systems Administrator and go for a management degree. I want to see if I can get into the Information Systems management field..
I have a big dream that I always had...i want to become a CIO or at least a Director of Technology for a company...