GRD 421 - Internship Preparation

1. Evaluate speaker’s presentations about graphic design industry.
   1. Research background information on speaker’s company and design positions.
   2. Prepare questions relating to speaker’s company, design career, and internship opportunities.
   3. Summarize presentation by taking notes and writing a review
2. Design a professional quality resume for a graphic design job interview.
   1. Prepare a list of all information needed on a resume.
   2. List skills, education, and job history information
   3. Describe personal qualities you have that employers desire.
   4. Select information to include on a resume
   5. Write a resume rough draft
   6. Apply principles of design to resume page layout
   7. Produce a color printed and digital interview quality resume
   8. Discuss how to revise a resume to fit a specific job
3. Organize an interview quality print (physical) and digital portfolio of graphic design skills.
   1. Understand the importance of the portfolio in the job search process
   2. Prepare a list of all projects that could be included in a portfolio
   3. Select best graphic design samples for inclusion into portfolio
   4. Prepare project files for samples to use in print and digital portfolio
   5. Examine different page layout designs for presenting
   6. Assemble projects in sequential order for specific interview
   7. Practice presenting portfolio of printed samples
   8. Produce a print and digital portfolio for, Advisory Board, industry review.
4. Develop a cover letter to accompany your resume
   1. Understand the purpose of a cover letter
   2. Use standard business writing format
   3. Identify the three parts of a cover letter
   4. Write a cover letter rough draft.
   5. Produce a professional quality cover letter
5. Generate an interview follow-up document
   1. Write a follow-up letter and/or thank you card
   2. Understand the purpose of a follow-up document
   3. Write a rough draft to determine content
   4. Produce a professional quality follow-up document
6. Organize different job search strategies
   1. Differentiate between published and unpublished job search methods
   2. List where to find published resources and discuss importance
   3. Examine networking options with local and national organizations
7. Perform a job search for a possible internship
   1. Explore DMACC Career Center Resources
   2. Identify local companies that employ entry level skill sets
   3. Review different job and internship postings 
8. Evaluate the interview process and preparation
   1. Understand the importance of researching a company before the interview
   2. Assemble a list of possible interviewer questions
   3. Discuss how to prepare for and answer possible questions
   4. Review the importance of ethics when interviewing
   5. Consider impact of appearance and behavior during an interview
   6. Produce a list of sample questions to ask at the end of an interview
   7. Practice interview skills
9. Appraise industry standard skills required for internship employment
   1. Determine what different companies require for skills
   2. Identify different skill sets and levels
   3. Review personal skills inventory
10. Complete a job application for internship interview
    1. Prepare by collecting samples of applications
    2. Research different types of application processes
    3. Review for accuracy and understanding of information 
11. Evaluate salary options and benefit packages
    1. Examine different positions and salary levels
    2. Determine realistic personal salary needs
    3. Discuss salary negotiation techniques 
12. Adopt a method to track job searches for a possible internship
    1. Research different systems and tools available
    2. Select a tool to record all activity