HAVE YOU APPLIED FOR A GETTY OR LA COUNTY ARTS SUMMER INTERNSHIP YET? 

As highlighted in a previous Internship Newsletter, Desiree Ramirez did a 10-week Getty internship with the Catalina Island Museum last summer.  Now, for THIS summer, Desiree has landed a great summer internship with the Vincent Price Museum at East Los Angeles College!  She will be making sure everything is catalogued, organized and stored correctly for their move to the new museum they are building on campus.  As a Getty alumni involved in museum work, she applied for and received a scholarship to attend the 2010 American Association of Museums Annual Meeting & Museum Expo to be held in Los Angeles on May 23 - 26. This is where museum professionals go to learn, share, connect with colleagues and have fun!  The scholarship includes hotel stay, travel expenses, meeting registration and a one-year membership to the American Association of Museums (AAM). 

Way to go, Desiree!! 

We would like to know if any other WC students are doing a Getty or LA County Arts Commission internship, so if you are doing one of these internships, please let us know in the Internship Office!

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Here is the information for the Getty & LA County Arts Commission summer internships:

Please note:  These internships were posted on the websites in mid-April.  Some positions are very competitive and have already been filled.

The Los Angeles County Arts Commission and the Getty Multicultural Undergraduate Internship Program with the Los Angeles Museums & Visual Arts organizations are now available.  Combined, the Getty and County programs create the largest arts internship program in the United States and perhaps the world, employing over 200 undergraduate interns in arts organizations across LA county during the summer.

The Los Angeles County Arts Commission is offering internships positions at 70 different organizations.  Organizations range from very large institutions such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic to smaller arts organizations as TeAda Productions.  In addition, the interns will participate in additional educational components provided by the Arts Commission.

The Getty Multicultural Undergraduate Internship Program will offer internships positions at more than 70 different organizations.  These internships are intended specifically for, but not limited to, outstanding students who are members of groups currently underrepresented in these professions:  African American, Asian, Latino/Hispanic/Native American, and Pacific Islander descent.

Each internship position is unique, with its own responsibilities and job duties.  All interns will be required to work 40 hours a week for 10 weeks between June and September.  Each intern will earn $3500 for the 10 week internship.  This summer, both Getty and LA Arts Commission-funded internships are open to graduating seniors.

Go to the following websites to see complete listing of internships:

LA County Arts Commission:  http://www.lacountyarts.org/internship.html

Getty Multicultural Undergraduate Internships:

http://www.getty.edu/foundation/pdfs/2010_la_organizations_intern_positions.pdf

DEADLINES VARY WITH EACH ORGANIZATION, SO APPLY ASAP IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO ALREADY!

Intern Spotlight:  Reflections of Brigette Duran's internship w/ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

During my internship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, I had the opportunity to work with a team of Obstetric and Gynecologist researchers who were doing research experiments on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.  Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is defined as a problem in which a woman’s hormones are out of balance. It can make it difficult to get pregnant. PCOS may also cause unwanted changes in the way a woman looks. If it is not treated, over time it can lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease.

The orientation process in order to begin my internship was rigorous.  Before I could even step foot in the laboratory, I had to go through a five-hour orientation on proper handling of radioactive material, laboratory safety regulations, and learn the different emergency codes for the hospital.  At times the work did get a bit overwhelming because I was doing things that I had never done before.  However, with the help and advice of my mentor, Dr. Chazenbalk, I was able to learn and improve my skills.  Although he was extremely busy, he always had time to help and was willing to give me feedback on papers that I would write.  I would always participate in laboratory meetings and was encouraged to give my opinion and ideas.  I really enjoyed working with the research team because they would always ask me if I wanted to watch the procedure and they would take the time to explain things that I did not understand.

During my internship, I learned many new things.  I learned the process of writing, editing, and submitting scientific papers for publication.  I also learned the correct format and how to write a good, substantial paper.  I learned so much about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.  After reading endless amounts of papers and information on the syndrome, I know all of the symptoms, genes involved and possible causes of the disease.  I now realize that there is so much more to a syndrome or disease that needs to be understood in order to properly diagnose and treat it.   More personally, I learned the actual meaning of a 9-5 job.  I learned how to deal with all different types of people, ranging from regular patients to PhDs and MDs.  I was able to put in practice my work ethic as well as enhance it.  I learned about working as a team with other researchers and how to approach different problems and challenges.

Being a biology major, I have been able to work in a laboratory setting.  The knowledge that I learned at Whittier has helped me successfully complete and excel in my internship.  Many of the assignments that my professors assigned during the year required a lot of the critical thinking skills that I used during my internship.  Many of the research technique that I was taught by my professors were very useful as well.  In fact, on one occasion during my internship, I referred to a handout that my biology professor had given me. 

Although it was an invaluable experience, I wish I could have done more experiments and get more hand-on clinical experience.  In doing this internship, it validated the fact that I  want to go into the clinical aspect of the medical field.  I learned that I definitely do not want to become a researcher.  Doing this internship helped me realize that the research area of medicine is not for me.  My mentor asked me to come back next summer and I am considering doing so.  I know that I plan to go to medical school and I am really grateful for the opportunity that I had to intern at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

CHECK IT OUT!

  Internship tips on YOUTUBE!!!!

Go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qpm1NA0imOI&feature=related  

  and watch this video clip and get some quick tips on how to get the

most out of your internship experience

  WEBSITES THAT MAY HELP YOU IN YOUR SEARCH!

•   www.internships.com - Go to the web address and click on "Students" then click on "Join the Network." Select Whittier College from the school drop down menu, enter the Promo Code "poet" then click "Continue." Register by entering your First Name, Last Name, Email address, and create a password; then click "sign up." Confirm email address and password on the next page (for security purposes), then click "log in." You are then logged into Whittier's Premium Site and can begin searching for Internships!

• Internships-USA www.internships-usa.com -  Go to the website, click on "The Internship Series Online", enter the user name: work and the password: credit.  Now you will be on the page that provides full, up to date information on over 2,800 organizations offering internships and summer jobs for students. Click on any of the series that interest you and browse the internships listed.

•      http://www.unitedtalent.com/internship/index.html - UTA's Internship Program offers a select group of undergraduate students the opportunity to work at one of the world's leading entertainment talent and literary agencies. 

INTERNSHIP DO'S AND DON'TS

The value of one or more internships to college students cannot be overstated.  Internships have simply become a must for all college students.  Internships help you better understand your field, help cement (or at times change) your career goals, and give you the experience employers demand--even of college graduates.

• Do try to obtain at least one internship during your college years.  And do try to get multiple internships

• Don't expect all internships to be paid.  We wish they all were, but many are not.

• Do utilize your network of family and friends to the fullest to get leads on internships.

• Do find a mentor within the organization, whether it's your internship supervisor or some other manager.

• Don't expect internships to be just handed to you; internships must be earned, as with any job.

• Do get as much exposure throughout the internship organization as possible.  Don't be afraid to ask questions.  Do be open to learning new skills and methodologies.

• Do make sure you leave your internship with new skills, a better understanding of your field.

• Do take advantage of job and career fairs to scout possible internship opportunities.

• Don't ever give up in your internship quest.  do exhaust all possible internship leads.

• Don't burn any bridges -- even if your internship was not the best.

• Do keep in touch with key coworkers from your internships, cultivate them as part of your network.

excerpt by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D

Congratulations and Farewell to Melissa Sanchez and Yolanda Garcia!

Two of our work study students, Melissa and Yolanda, will be graduating this year!  In fact, Melissa is graduating in 3 years!   They both have been with us for the past 3 years.  We will miss their creativity and excellent work ethics!  Congratulations to them both, Sally and I wish them well and know that they have a  great future ahead of them.  Keep in touch, girls!!