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As a participant on either the Internship USA or Professional Career Training Programme, you are responsible for securing your own Trainee placement in the USA in advance of travel. As one of the main aims of these programmes is to develop and enhance your career prospects through a period of practical training in the USA, your Traineeship must be directly relevant to your course of study or current career field, and provide you with a minimum of 32hrs work per week.
There are a number of ways to secure a Trainee placement in the USA, as American companies are now often keen to take on foreign students and graduates. See below for tips on where and how to find a trainee position through USIT/CIEE ie Personal contacts, Career office, Internet etc. Alternatively click the link below to view trainee positions in the US.
However, you are NOT allowed work in any position that involves the direct care of people or animals. This includes special care, au pair work/child-minding, teaching positions and most medical/nursing work. Please note though that working in an observational capacity may be permitted - please email internshipusa@usit.ie for more details.
An Internship/Traineeship is not a job - it is much more! Your program should be designed to provide you with a structured practical education and should differ from ordinary work in several key ways. When choosing a Host Company, it is important to keep the following in mind:
- Find a well-established company, one with enough resources to support your experience.
- Make certain that your supervisor is a knowledgeable professional who is excited about and committed to your training.
- Work with your Host Company to develop a training plan that challenges you, allowing you to stretch your current understanding of your field and leaving you with marketable experience.
An integral part of both the Internship USA and Professional Career Training USA programs is the facility to tailor training to your area of study or professional career interests. Training with a business in the U.S. also affords you the chance to not only learn from industry leaders, but also to experience a new culture. Because you can design a program to last up to 18 months, you can gain extensive knowledge and become truly familiar with what it means to live and train in the U.S.
USIT & CIEE will be reviewing your applications closely, so make sure the company you choose is a great match. We want to ensure that your experience is a rewarding one.
What do I want in a position?
Before you begin searching for your dream job, you must know the most important components for you. Sit down and brainstorm to make sure that you know exactly what it is that you want. We recommend that you ask yourself the following questions:
- With what type of company would I like to train? Are you interested in a large corporation, a smaller and more personal setting, or a non-profit organization?
- Do I want to train with a company in a major city, a suburb, or a rural area? Remember that a Trainee is also a U.S. cultural exchange experience, which will be shaped by your company's location.
- What are the top three features that are most important to me in a training environment? The qualities you like in a supervisor, the things you need from a team of co-workers, the general atmosphere at a company, how high-paced a company may be, a company's longevity, and a company's mission are just some of the attributes you might consider when reviewing your options.
- What elements of a training environment could make my experience difficult? Just as you considered the positives, consider what company features might make you uncomfortable or less likely to succeed. Remember, however, that a Traineeship is a learning experience and that you should choose a training environment that challenges you to stretch your comfort zone.
- Do I need a paid position? This might be a key component in choosing a great training position if you do not have sufficient savings or some other type of financial assistance. Keep in mind that some companies that do not offer a salary may provide other attractive benefits, such as housing, transportation, meals, and so on. Figure out what you need in order to be able to support yourself and to enjoy your experience in the U.S. fully.
For information about the American Workplace and Culture, please use the link here. http://www.internshipusa.org/trainee/applicant/life/index.html
You can find interesting position postings and exciting companies in a number of ways. Whatever way you choose to search, make sure to keep a list of "leads" to follow up on later and to create a resume and cover letter that you can send to potential Host Organisations!
NB! Please be aware that recent changes in the US State Department regulations for this programme could have an impact on your potential host company. All companies that have not previously hosted a CIEE trainee from any country may be required to undergo Host Company Vetting. We would strongly advise that you refer any company who is considering taking you to this link.
The Internet may lead you to fantastic companies that are not familiar with the term "Traineeship." Educate them! Tell them what makes a great Traineeship mutually beneficial and ask them if they would be interested in providing you with a training opportunity. Explain that a Traineeship is a chance to exchange ideas, diversify their office, learn from students or professionals on a multinational scale, as well as to provide the Host Company with an occasion to share their knowledge with future global leaders. A Traineeship offers the Host Company the opportunity to bring in staff with expertise in their industry, who can offer a new perspective, creative ideas and enthusiasm to their business.
To find appropriate companies, search by keywords like "internship" or "Traineeship." Using these keywords will ensure that you find training opportunities rather than employment positions. Here are some popular and easy-to-navigate search engines and internship websites:
Tip: As you move from web site to web site create folders in the "Favourites" section on your browser toolbar and store the URL addresses of the most relevant web sites, online magazines or newspapers you come across. One idea might be to create separate folders for employment / internship sites, industry information sources, company information sources, on-line trade journals and publications etc that you can easily revisit at later stages.
Does your university have a Career Center? Do local schools in the area have public career service centers? Are you near a U.S. Educational Advising Center? You may be able to utilise the resources and personal counselors at centers such as these or you may be directed to placement websites that are affiliated with universities.
ASK AROUND
Ask university students, current co-workers, family, friends, and professors if they know of any great opportunities or if they know of anyone who's had a successful Traineeship. If you are referred to a company by a previous Trainee or an acquaintance, your chances of securing a Traineeship increase significantly.
NETWORK DURING YOUR WORK & TRAVEL USA PROGRAM OR VACATION
Are you traveling to the U.S. on a USIT/CIEE J1 Summer Work & Travel USA Program or for vacation during your next summer break from university? If so, use your time wisely. Research companies and make contact while you are in the U.S. Mention your interest in training to professionals with whom you cross paths. You never know where you'll find your next opportunity.However, please note, a participant may only return to a former Work & Travel USA employer for an Internship/Traineeship when all of the following criteria are met:
- There is a clear match between your field of study or current career path and the nature of the company's business
- The company is ready to provide a bona fide training experience
- The proposed training is different and more advanced than your previous Work & Travel USA job responsibilities
Another way to start to search for a host company is to get in contact with the US based trade or professional association for your field of interest. They may be able to point you in the right direction or provide you with contacts of some of their members who are seeking interns or who may be approached for a speculative inquiry. One of the advantages of this method is that you can use the contact you made at the association as a means of a ‘way-in’ to prospective employers. The website for the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) is http://www.asaenet.org/AssociationSearch will take you to a search database – you want to choose the ‘Gateway to Associations’ option.
Securing the right position is a challenge. If you don't find one after looking for only a few days or a few weeks, don't give up! A great tip to remember is to keep an active list of all possibilities and maintain contact on them. Do not discredit a company simply because it is not your first choice. The best way to figure out if a company is the right choice is to by thoroughly considering the finer points of each opportunity. I've found some possible companies. Now what do I do?
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