Being a dreamer means you’ve committed to pursuing an internship with the backing of the Dream Careers program. Now before you commit, register, and pay your deposit there are some basic things you should know about what the program can provide you with and what you can do to have the best possible experience.
1. Your internship placement is guaranteed through the program and if you don’t find the right fit you can receive a full refund before the program start date.
2. The Internship Coordinator of your specific program will guide you through the interview and resume revision process to help you find the internship that fits you. Whether that means you want to work in a small or large company, you want a relaxed or uber-professional work environment, several fellow interns and co-workers or a more close-knit workplace is all up to you to communicate to your coordinator to find your dream internship.
3. You are provided with housing in the city of your choice whether that is Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Miami, Paris, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Boston, London, or Barcelona.
4. However, your transportation to and from your destination city are not included in your tuition.
5. There are career seminars you can attend ranging in topic from Time Management, managing career goals, LinkedIn, Following your Dreams, and how to market yourself to potential employers.
6. You can receive one academic credit from New York University or Menlo College along with academic credit from Oregon State if you complete the proper internship classwork that your academic college requires.
7. Your tuition not only includes housing it also includes a meal plan, transportation, and admission to sponsored events like concerts, shows, cruises, or athletic events depending on what city you choose
8. Program tuition ranges from 8,000-10,000 dollars depending on what time of year and location you choose, but considering all that is included, for many the experience and the connections you can make justify the cost. If you apply early, as I did however, you will be paying even less with early bird discounts. Keep in mind, you can pay in full, in 30 days, or in monthly installments as well and your existing academic financial aid may be able to be applied. Also, talk to your academic advisor and they can give you a discount code that will waive the application fee as well.
9. There are unsponsored events put on by the Dream Careers staff as well to help you get to know your city of choice that aren’t paid for through your tuition. In my city of choice, Chicago, for example the staff coordinated field trip Fridays where they would take us to places, events, and neighborhoods around the city like the Old Town Art Festival, The Willis Tower, and West Loop neighborhood.
10. Communicating with your boss at your internship and the Dream Careers staff is crucial. If you aren’t sure about your hours, where to get lunch, transportation, or anything else internship related then just ask! Get specific details about your internship beforehand but also be ready to adapt if everything isn’t going exactly according to plan.
11. The Dream Careers staff puts on an introduction dinner and gives you transportation instructions on your first day of the program to help you get settled in.
12. Your internship is what you make of it! You can choose to put in the extra work, ask for extra assignments, interview your boss, network, get tips about your industry, and attend the career seminars or you can choose to not really care and slack off.
13. If you reach out to other people in the program whether that is your roommates, co-workers, or other participants you will have the opportunity to make new friends. It’s never easy making connections but if you reach out, engage on your Facebook group page, attend events, and are open then be assured you’ll find someone you have interests in common with.
14. Over 70% of Dream Careers participants were offered to continue their internship experience or were offered a full-time position from their employer. This means investing in one amazing summer could turn into an even bigger opportunity for you career-wise.
15. As long as you are in the age range of 18-26 and have a GPA of over 2.0 (or 2.5 if in the finance industry) you can participate in a Dream Careers internship. There are participants who are undergraduates, graduate students, or recent graduates from community colleges and 4 year institutions.
16. There are internship listings for fashion, tourism, design, advertising, sports, event planning, finance, human resources, and so much more! Just ask and they can probably find your area of interest in there 5,000 internships in over 30 industries.
17. Above all, being a dreamer is all about being committed to getting to know a new city and working at an internship in an industry you are interested in.
18. Know that you may not love every minute you are in the program. You may hate your roommate, not like the dorm food, or not end up liking your internship or boss. However, your internship and the program are what you make of them and there are always solutions or ways to make your experience better if you just ask. If nothing else, you know what you don’t want out of a future career, work environment, or living environment. Make the most of every minute you have in the city you are interning in and you won’t regret it!
To learn more about Dream Careers check out their website, talk to a program coordinator, or visit their booth at the career fairs on campus: