Amy Donegan says ‘People need to stop freaking out’ about internships

Even during the craziest time of year for internship guidance, The Tab was able to sit down with the highly sought-after Amy Donegan, the Associate Director for Career Advising in the Carroll School.

She sees more than 20 students a day in her office in Fulton 360 and answers up to 50 emails from frantic students desperately seeking help in securing a summer internship. (You know you’re one of them)

Amy Donegan discusses her job at BC, the summer internship advice she tells all students, and her insight into the competitive career marketplace.

What is your role on campus exactly?
I am the Associate Director for Career Advising for CSOM students. So I am the appointed career person in the Carroll School for undergrads. I handle anything career related, except campus recruiting. The Career Center organizes that. I used to work at the Career Center before working more closely with CSOM students. I also teach the career class for CSOM students and organize with Summer Catalyst Program for A&S students.

What made you choose this career?
During my grad program at the University of Vermont, I did a practicum in the Career Development office which I loved. I used to be a Residence Hall Director, but that was too insular and isolated for me. I love this job because I can provide students with real, relevant assistance. I have so many positive interactions with students because everyone needs career guidance. Because I have a foot outside in the “real world,” I can help students make the transition from college.

What is your favorite part of your job?
Definitely working with the students. The energy comes from them. I spend 90% of my time working directly with students, which I love!

Do you only work with CSOM students or do you work with students from other schools as well?
I would never turn an A&S student away, but I mainly work with CSOM students. When I worked at the Career Center, I worked with all types of students, but when I moved to Fulton, I transitioned into a more school-based advising role. But I love working with A&S students during the summer at the Catalyst Program.

What is the most common topic you discuss with students seeking guidance?
Internships! How do I get one? How do I apply? Should I get one? What should I apply to? These are all common questions. I usually work with sophomores and juniors, but there has been an increasing number of freshmen because they’re freaking out. (She laughs).

Do you think the pressure to have an internship, especially after freshman or sophomore year, is driven by expectations set by BC, or by the students?
Oh, the extra pressure is definitely driven by the students themselves.

It’s definitely not being driven by the firms either. Accounting firms have a real need for interns because they are constantly looking for more accountants, but marketing firms would rather have juniors in order to convert them to full-time hires. When looking at resumes, most firms don’t look at internships students have before sophomore year.

People need to stop freaking out.

Internships are really most important for individuals with unique majors. If you’re an English major interested in Finance, you should get an internship in order to display your interest, expand your network, and gain some exposure. Communications jobs are all based on experience, so Communication majors should get internships to explore what’s out there. But if you’re an Finance major looking for a Finance internship, firms already know your interests.

You can relax.

How many students, by your estimate, actually have an internship by October? 
Very, very few, if any. This was the first year that Finance and Accounting firms, and other companies, have moved their recruiting to early first semester. Before, interviews and recruiting didn’t happen until November.

The new normal will involve companies coming to campus to talk to juniors in the fall, and students will receive an offer by Thanksgiving or Christmas. So this change has added to the stress.

What is the biggest piece of advice you’d give students looking for summer internships?
Be prepared to utilize your network. Friends, family, and alumni. Underclassmen – throw yourself into the search, learn how to network and build tools. If you get something, great! If you don’t, it’s not the end of the world. Keep in mind that organizations who come to campus are very competitive. Make sure you have a Plan B and establish your own search and network.

Would you give the same advice to students in CSOM as students in A&S?
Absolutely. I give the same advice during the Summer Catalyst Program to A&S students.  I can’t stress enough the importance of skill-building. Even though CSOM students traditionally start searching early because of their internal pressure, A&S students are the ones that need to start early in order to explore and gain exposure. Make good contact so you will feel better about the potential future prospects. Sometimes, talking to other grads who have landed on their feet is comforting and helpful.

What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Look towards the obvious and do what you love! You shouldn’t feel defined by your major. Instead, define yourself by your interests. You should try to build a career for yourself based on what you love. Don’t be afraid to just start somewhere. And don’t freak out about where you start.