Sophomores Seeking Internships: Mark Your Calendars for Under Construction

If there’s anyone who knows the ins and outs of interning, it’s Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences alumni.

Luckily for Dietrich College sophomores, alumni from various backgrounds are returning to Pittsburgh on Thursday, Oct. 24, for Under Construction: Internships, an opportunity for sophomores to meet and network with alumni and learn about the value of internships.

Through conversations over dinner and individual breakout sessions, alumni will help students prepare for internship interviews and discuss how to make a strong impression once they have been hired. Students will leave the event with firsthand knowledge from accomplished alumni that will help guide them during their academic career and beyond.

Being able to talk one-on-one with Dietrich College alumni was memorable to Hana Kim, a current junior in the Department of Social and Decision Sciences who attended Under Construction: Internships last year.

“As a sophomore, I didn't have much experience talking to professionals nor did I know of any opportunities to do so,” Kim said. “Under Construction was the first event where I had a chance to meet with Dietrich alumni and hear their stories and ask for advice. It was really nice to have resources specifically directed towards Dietrich students.”

Kim continued, “I was able to practice making small talk, asking relevant questions and sending thank you emails. All of the alumni were very welcoming and resourceful. I highly recommend attending Under Construction.”

Jessica Anders, a 2009 Dietrich College graduate, attended Under Construction: Internships last year.

“I really hope the students learned that there's no one path anywhere, that networking is something they do every day. What matters most is the quality of connections and experiences. Also, CMU has an incredible network standing by ready to support them in a million ways,” said Anders, who works as a communications manager for United Way Worldwide and will attend the event again this year.

A few of the many other alumni confirmed to attend are Vincent Brown (DC 2013), counsel for U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration; Elyssa Goodman (DC 2010), writer and photographer for Miss Manhattan; James Hilton Harrell (DC 2009), a graduate student at Harvard University; Fran Matten (DC 1981), division sales manager for Goldman Sachs Asset Management; and Leslie Griffin Robertson (DC 1989), vice president of software development at Oracle.

In addition to talking with alumni, those attending will learn about internship resources available to them, like the Dietrich College Pittsburgh Summer Internship Program, Washington Semester Program and various grant opportunities. Dietrich College advisers, consultants from the Career and Professional Development Center, and upperclassmen who have completed internships will also be available to talk with students. Attire for the event is business casual.

Under Construction: Internships
Thursday, Oct. 24, 5 to 8:30 p.m.
Wyndham Hotel University of Pittsburgh Center
100 Lytton Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Current Dietrich College sophomores can RSVP for Under Construction: Internships.