Year: 2011

Black Friday: WayUp Style

The big retail stores aren’t the only ones providing super cool “Black Friday” deals, WayUp is too! Last week we posted a story about our (free) Stylish, Professional and Deadly business cards and we wanted to remind you about it again today – because it’s a super cool deal that doesn’t require you to pitch a tent and stand outside in the cold.

Here’s how it works…

Sign up for a WayUp account (it takes 10 seconds and it’s free). Once you’re signed up for your account, pimp your card, pay for shipping and score! It’s really that simple. After you have created your card, tell a friend about this great deal! After all, who can resist sharing something that’s free?

10 people who should have business cards…

1) Your genius best friend

2) The photographer friend who tags you in the most “amazzzzing” photos on Facebook

3) The kid who comes to class carrying a briefcase and dressed in a suit

4) Your awesome roommate

5) The girl who tutors

6) The guy who thinks he should be president (of everything)

7) Your favorite barista

8) The teacher who gives extra credit

9) The kid who thinks he’s the next Mark Zuckerberg (it better top Zuck’s slogan)

10) Your mom

Business cards are an effective way to distinguish yourself from the competition, promote your brand and showcase your creativity – so get to styling!

Internship Spotlight: The National Audubon Society

Remember the Deepwater Horizon oil spill 
– the one that left thousands of birds and wildlife without a home? Have you ever wondered what happened to the oil-soaked birds that were impacted by that tragedy? Or maybe what happens next to ensure that those responsible for this national disaster are held accountable to pay for the clean-up of their mess and adequate ecosystem restoration?

Meet the National Audubon Society
…

As one of the nation’s most prestigious environmental advocacy and conservation organizations, the National Audubon Society was one of the first groups on the scene to help guide and coordinate emergency response efforts for the birds and wildlife impacted by the oil spill – and are now working to pass legislation that will dedicate resources to the Gulf to pay for cleanup and restoration of the damaged coastal environment. This spring, their Washington, DC office is looking for a Public Policy Intern.

Interns in Audubon’s DC office will have the opportunity to work side-by-side with Audubon’s policy advocates and lobbyists. A typical day could include: researching and preparing fact-sheets, “Hill drops,” assisting with outreach, representing Audubon in meetings with other environmental groups, monitoring Congressional hearings and preparing briefing materials.

Internship Perks…

The opportunity to participate on Audubon’s “green team” softball team – the Scrubjays – and all of the free bird-friendly coffee that your heart desires!

Stylish, Professional and Deadly, Get A Free Pack of Moo.com Business Cards When You Sign up For WayUp!

At WayUp we believe every student should have awesome business cards. They are one of the easiest and most effective ways to make yourself standout at interviews, career fairs, or whenever you meet a new professional contact. So for the rest of 2011 WayUp is giving away a pack of free business cards to every student who registers for WayUp through our ninja business card page!

Get A Leg Up:

A good business card let’s recruiters and interviewers know that you understand the professional world. It helps them put a check mark next to the box that says, this student is ready to work in an office, meet with executives and contribute to our team.  Handing out a business card might be a simple gesture, but it can mean a lot.  Also note that business cards are not just for the Jack Donaghy’s of the world, they are regarded well by everyone, from art museum managers to Peace Corps recruiters.

Personalized Design:

“I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man.”
-Jay-Z

Jay-Z is famous for saying he is a business, because he is so good at making money that he became a brand. While you’re not Jay-Z yet, a really good business card will help you build your personal brand by letting an employer know what you care about or excel at. 

Let’s say you are interested in marine biology, you put your favorite whale on the front of your card and I guarantee environmental NFPs will take notice at your next career fair or interview. Or lets say you are interested in finance, make a professional card with a quote from Warren Buffett on the back. There is just so much you can do to customize the look and feel of your business cards to ensure you make the impression you want.

(However, if you’re running out of ideas or don’t want to pigeon hole yourself with a single design, then a great fall back is to simply add your college crest to your card with your name, contact info, and a link to any urls or portfolios you have online).

Free Business Cards from Moo.com!

Whether you need business cards for an upcoming career fair or want them because they are a lot of fun to make and to hand out to friends; today is your lucky day.  Right now when you sign-up for WayUp you will get access to a special WayUp promo where you can get a pack of professionally designed business cards for free from Moo.com.  Moo is one of the leaders in business card design so whatever you decide is just about guaranteed to look great.

How to Get Your Free Business Cards:

To get your Moo.com business cards, visit our business card page, say hello to Ninja Fred (and try to figure out how you can contact him if you’d like) and take 10 seconds to sign up for WayUp. When you do you’ll be re-directed to a special page where you can build your new business cards and when you check out you will notice the price for 50 business cards is free (shipping is not included).

Get your free business cards now, because spring career fairs are just around the corner!

Happy Veterans Day From WayUp

Veterans Day is special for a few reasons. Freshmen have survived their first set of midterms – remember Internship Prep Begins Now! Sophomores and juniors are struggling to recover from caffeine abuse and all-nighters. Some are just beginning to rejoice in scoring an awesome internship at on-campus recruitment and some are rejoicing at scoring an awesome internship on WayUp.

Seniors are beginning to work on their thesis and they’re beginning to slowly think about post-graduation career plans. Most importantly, Veterans Day is special because it is the day that we honor our men and women in uniform – who defend our freedom to choose majors like Film Studies and Philosophy – and so, to our Veterans we say, thank you!

Most students, around this time, are too exhausted to think about searching and applying for an internship. After all, Thanksgiving break is just around the corner. Why not just apply for internships after my second turkey sandwich and third slice of sweet potato pie? Well, because, there’s no time like the present.

In honor of Veterans Day, we have highlighted a few internships from the United States Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA), whose mission is simple: “To serve and honor the men and women who are America’s veterans.”

One of the awesome parts about interning at the USDVA, besides their great mission, is that they offer multiple internships across the country – some are even paid positions. Below are links to a few different internships offered through the USDVA. The list below is not exhaustive and we encourage you to check out the USDVA for more information.

Check out these positions:

Program Analyst (TCF Intern)

Prosthetic Representative (Intern)

Student Programs

Internship Spotlight: Twilio

Internship Details: 

If you’re passionate about apps, love coding and you’re tired of people telling you to “get your head out of the clouds,” then this paid Software Engineering Internship with Twilio is perfect for you. After all, “the clouds” are exactly where Twilio – a cloud communications service – wants your head to be!

Twilio is a pay-as-you-go web service that empowers developers to build voice and SMS apps. Utilized by over 50,000 developers – including top companies like LinkedIn, eBay, Sony, Airbnb, WalMart and Hulu – Twilio is seeking a computer science whiz with a can-do attitude to join its Software Engineering team in San Francisco.

This internship is ideal for students interested in software development, mobile apps and learning new technology.

Internship Perks:

Paid. Cool location in downtown San Francisco – near lots of shops and restaurants!

Did we mention they have a rock star team? Founder and CEO Jeff Lawson is a veteran entrepreneur, onto his 4th companies. One of his prior successes StubHub is one you’ve probably heard of before.

Click Here to Apply

Freshman Year: Internship Prep Begins Now

The first half of freshman year is almost over – Congratulations! By this time you have probably survived your first set of midterms and you have solidified your school spirit at your first Big Ten football game. You have figured out how to avoid the long line at “Taco Tuesdays” and you have even discovered the shortest, most scenic route from your dorm room to 18th Century American Literature.

Life couldn’t be better!

However, in between the football and the fun, freshman year is the perfect time to begin preparing yourself to score your first internship. WayUp has compiled a few helpful tips on ways that you can make the most out of your freshman year – and become a competitive candidate for future internship opportunities.

Get Involved – Stay Involved…

Don’t fall victim to second semester’s winter blues! As a freshman you may not qualify for an internship just yet, but there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved on campus. This is a great way to develop useful experience for potential internships.

If you’re interested in non-profit or advocacy work, volunteer for an organization whose mission you admire. If you’re interested in politics or public policy, offer to volunteer for a local political campaign or help manage a student election. If you’re interested in journalism or media, get involved with the student newspaper or the student radio/television station. Start a blog to showcase your awesome writing skills. Are you an engineering major? Start coding and build a project that you can show off to potential employers. Interested in education? Join your school’s tutoring club or better yet, start one of your own!

Employers know that freshmen will not have a ton of experience and they’re not expecting you to. After all, that’s what an internship is for. However, they would like to see that you’re motivated and passionate.

Choose Your Courses Wisely: All Classes Are NOT Created Equal…

While courses like basket weaving and badminton can provide a much-needed break from a stressful day of classes, be cautious about registering for too many of these easier electives. The internship application pool is extremely competitive and employers are always creating different metrics to measure and eliminate internship candidates.

These days, it is common for an employer to ask for a copy of your academic transcript. This request often serves two purposes. The first purpose is usually to check for your grade point average and the second purpose is usually to provide the employer with an overview of your academic course load. When registering for classes try to balance difficult courses with classes that have a lighter load. Aim for courses that will help you develop a useful skillset. For instance, a basic computer course will help develop your Excel and HTML skills. A course in Final Cut Pro will help you learn the basics of editing videos for the web.

When it is time to register for classes, make sure that you are strategic in your selections. Think about the courses that will help you develop a marketable skill and choose your classes wisely. Check out Course Hero and StudyBlue
 for additional tips on managing your academic course load.

Work On Your Resume…

Sounds like a no-brainer, right? You would be surprised at how many freshmen do not have a resume prepared. Begin by compiling a list of any significant projects that you have done, clubs you have participated in or places you have volunteered. Once you have completed that list, head over to WayUp and check out our templates and resources for great resume-building advice.

Talk To Upperclassmen: “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know…”

Upperclassmen are a really useful resource when it comes to applying for internships. Many upperclassmen are already familiar with the on-campus career fair and most are familiar with the companies who recruit at your school.

Identify the rock-star students in your department. Everyone has heard of that one person who had a bunch of internships by the end of graduation.  Ask them about their internship experience and find out if they have any advice about applying for internships. Is there a company who loves graphic designers with animation skills? Where’s the best place to live in NYC? Which companies love computer science and physics majors? Is it better to accept an awesome credit-only internship or a paid internship back in your hometown? Many of these questions can be answered by an upperclassman – eager to talk about their experiences.

To sum it up, there really is no time like the present to begin thinking about your internship future. Remember: Get involved on campus, think strategically when registering for classes, identify students who have been successful with their internship search and start working on your resume now!

Internship Spotlight: Intern at the Onion, America’s Finest News Source

America’s Finest News Source? Were you the all-star kid who sold the most candy bars for your soccer team’s fundraiser? Do you agree that life is like a box of satire? If so, The Onion’s Advertising Sales Internship is perfect for you!

Internship Details:

The Onion is an award-winning news publication, popular for its satirical headlines on sports, politics and entertainment. Their Washington, DC office is seeking an Advertising Sales Intern.

The best part about it all: No experience is necessary! The Onion will provide interns with all of the necessary marketing and promotional training to hit the ground running.

This Internship is ideal for students interested in advertising, sales, news, media, journalism or Owls.

Internship Perks:

Commission on all ad sales, school credit and bragging rights (of course)!

Check out one of our favorite posts about Onion Interns. 

Click Here to Apply

Kleiner Perkins Looks to Hire 25 Top Engineering Students to Place at their Portfolio Companies

What do Klout, Zynga, Groupon, Erly and Chegg all have in common? They are portfolio companies of Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers, one of the most successful Venture Capital firms in Silicon Valley. And they are all part of the newly established KPCB Engineering Fellows program that looks to identify 25 of the top engineering students in the country and offer them a once in a lifetime summer internship.

Re-Engineer Your Future:

Aside from letting you apply to 25 of the most elite tech companies in one swoop, the KPCB Fellowship gives aspiring engineers experience, contacts, and a level of understanding of the engineering world that is truly unique.

There are 4 keys to the program:

1.) Challenging Projects: Fellows are matched with top tech companies and given large-scale technical problems to solve.
2.) Mentorship: Fellows will receive direct mentorship, from some of the best technical minds in the world.
3.) Events and Speakers: Fellows get invited throughout the summer to special Kleiner Perkins events, ranging from Hack-a-thons to speakers.
4.) Compensation: Not only does the position pay very well, KPCB will also help with relocation guidance and other cool benefits.

Given that KPCB partners include Al Gore, former Secretary of the State, Colin Powell and business luminaries like Bing Gordon – you can imagine that the speakers will be both broad reaching and fascinating.

All in all, the KPCB fellowship allows students to pursue internships at some of the most amazing startups, without having to fear that they are missing out on the compensation, the education or the brand name recognition that an internship at Microsoft or Facebook might offer.

Interested Engineering Interns, Apply Now!

If you  are interested in other engineering internships at other leading startup companies start searching on WayUp now!

Internships that Change Lives, a Spotlight on Kiva’s Internship Program

Nelly is a 60 years-old woman who lives in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Columbia.  She makes an annual income of $8,800 from selling homemade clothing and earns just enough for her and her family of seven to survive. For Nelly every day is a question mark, but incredibly things are getting better.  This past year she received a loan. It was from someone she had never met before, who lived half way around the world, and it helped her buy a new sewing kit, dramatically increasing her ouput, giving her a small financial cushion to protect against the worst.

Six years ago helping someone like Nelly felt impossible.  Today, one organization, Kiva, has provided over $248 million in micro-loans to poverty stricken individuals just like Nelly and in doing so has redefined what is possible in global giving. Their model, like all great innovations, is brilliant in its simplicity: help individuals stuck in systemic poverty share their story online and then streamline the process for donors to give and track loans that will help these individuals lift themselves into a better life.

So far over 98% of the loans to these needy individuals have been repaid and the organization continues to grow in size and impact.

Recently we had the pleasure of speaking to Rachael Caine, Kiva’s internship coordinator. It came as no surprise that the same principles for innovation and progressiveness that encompass Kiva’s lending model are seen throughout the organization, and in their world leading internship program.

I have summarized my question and answer session with Rachael below — here is an inside look at Kiva’s internship program and a few hints on how you can get ahead in the application process!

Q: What makes interning at Kiva different?

Kiva has two types of intern, both offer a unique and invaluable experience. First, Kiva has a variety of Office Interns, who work at the organization headquarters in San Francisco and include IT, marketing, grant writing, and other specialty interns. Second, Kiva has Fellows, who go into the field, in countries around the world and work with Kiva’s partners and lenders.

If you intern in San Francisco this is a 6-month full-time commitment, which is a good thing, because every intern is fully immersed in their field of study, taking on high-level projects. This is one of the things that stood out to me the most in my conversation with Rachael–Kiva truly believes in their interns, and sees them as valued employees not part-time help.

Fellowships operate a bit differently, they run for four months, in countries ranging from Bolivia to Rwanda– a truly life defining experience for those who are selected.

Q: What will a student learn working at Kiva?

First and foremost, students will receive an unbeatable education on microfinance and the non-profit model. There are few other organizations with as much of a track record for creating social change as Kiva, and as an intern you will be in the heart of it all.

On a more day-to-day level, students will get to work with professionals in their field of interest whether that is web development or grant writing. However, at Kiva, an intern doesn’t just learn about their field, you get to learn about how every department in the organization operates. This is because Kiva hosts a brown bag lunch every 2 weeks, led by a different employee who shares their role in making Kiva a success. This brown bag lunch format is really cool, because it lets you network with the whole office and truly explore which parts of the NFP interest you most.

Q: What are some exceptional experiences interns might expect working at Kiva?

Curious what it was like building Kiva from the groung up? A coffee session with Matt Flannery and Premal Shah, co-founder and president of Kiva has been a part of the program for a few years now. Both Matt and Premal are world famous social entrepreneurs who enjoy sharing insights with each intern class.

For those at the San Francisco office, expect to be working in one of the coolest parts of the city (currently in the heart of the mission district, but moving to the equally fun SOMA area soon). For those working in other countries around the world, deep cultural immersion is just the beginning.

Q: How do I get involved?

Kiva is selective but this doesn’t mean Ivy League only. Rachel says their ideal candidate is “A self-starter and go-getter, who is passionate about their mission,” Also being “Easy-going and fun” helps as well.

Kiva has had students from colleges across the world take part in their program and encourages all students to apply, who fit the above criteria to apply.

If this sounds like a dream internship come true, Kiva is accepting applications for upcoming classes in October, April and July – you can apply right now!

From Northern Minnesota to Northern Italy and Back

This is a guest post by Molly Ongaro — a Minnesota girl at heart, born and raised. Travels in the Midwest allowed her to become a Registered Dietitian in North Dakota and take her first job out of college as a WIC Dietitian in southwest Wisconsin. Molly’s sense of adventure brought her to her current residence in Northern Italy, where she is obtaining her Master in Food Culture and Communications. What’s next for this Minnesota girl? In her own words: “The best is yet to come!”

I must admit that the freedom given within my understanding of what my internship undertaking for my Master could include was much more than I had both experienced previously and anticipated. I am currently finishing my studies in Food Culture and Communications in a small town named Pollenzo in Northern Italy. Because my interests are so varied and I could truly see myself in many different positions, I must regrettably admit that for the internship portion of my Master I just wanted someone to tell me what to do, where to go, and I would do it. However, it was not until I was walking from class one day with a good friend of mine, giving advice on the internship search that an epiphany occurred. I realized the purposeful and strategic process given us to find our own way. It may or may not have been set up that way, but I truly feel that for me it has advanced into useful exposure to the outside world as well as unforeseen personal insight.

Choosing an internship can be a daunting task, especially in the world today where money is tight and services are costly. However, I am confident that the time put into the internship search is well worth the effort. Landing on an opportunity that fits specific skill sets as well as personal and professional needs will undoubtedly be of benefit in the long run – the time and toil is, in a sense, a prerequisite for success.

Knowing the upcoming advantages in my future, I decided to explore both paid and unpaid opportunities. I turned my search into a structured and organized task, as if it was part of my job. I took time every day to research, take notes, and learn as much as I could in all areas I was applying into, thus benefitting myself personally. I saw my search as a necessity in my knowledge and understanding, thereby advantageous in my professional gain as well.

What one puts into the search is also a reflection of character and can even lead to newfound personality traits. I know a hands-on, participatory, and diversified job fits me best. It is essential for me to have inspiration, useful application, and appropriate connection. From the beginning all I knew is what was necessary and in the end I found what is appropriate.

I know that Minnesota is where my heart is, yet I was initially turned off by the idea of returning back to the known and the comfortable after studying abroad in Italy. As far as I thought, the doors to the outside world were wide open. I could choose any given location and setting, and I could not wait for my still undetermined adventure. As I delved deeper into my search, I realized both the season and the locations were not ideal for what I wanted to accomplish. When asked, I said: “I want to form relationships and I want hands-on work.” I thought at first I would work on a farm, improving my

I approached each person and/or company as if I were an answered prayer. I opened up as to who I am and what I can offer, but really tried to focus on each person and their needs. I approached each individual with confidence in myself and in what I could offer. In the end, I basically did not allow them to turn me down. I researched each place of work to the point where I could highlight the gaps I could fill, while still complimenting their already accomplished work. I creatively fit myself into each company and proposed an offer to each. Their response: they were truly grateful and very open to my ideas, for I had already done half of the work.agriculture knowledge and skills. I then thought of working in an urban area to introduce gardening, but the season and the logistics of staying in an unknown place were the deviants. I even went so far as looking at wineries and companies in California. Once I finally decided to dip my toes in the Minnesota waters, it was almost as if it were meant to be. I was completely taken aback by the feedback of my proposals. I knew that it was the right choice and the right place for me.
I decided to gain experience with a few small, local companies in Minnesota. I want to support passionate, hard-working, thus inspirational people. Supporting dedicated people and hard work is a delight for me, and I am confident the collaborations will provide mutual benefit for myself and those I am involved with.

It took time, diligence, and personal assessment, but I found insight into where I fit – so far anyway. I have learned to take it one day at a time with these decisions and know that it will always progress into what it is supposed to, no matter what structure or great plan I begin with.