FAQ
Candidates
- Highly motivated
- Desire a business internship in the Twin Cities for summer 2020
- College Juniors & Sophomores only
- Legally able to work in the US in the summer of 2020.
- International students have opportunities in Analytics’ internship.
- Primarily responsible for college tuition and costs
- From demographic groups under-represented in business
- 1st generation college students
- English as a 2nd language
- Referred by UpTurnships Partner or Alum
Business majors (Marketing, Sales, Finance, Accounting, IT, HR, Supply Chain, Operations), STEM (Math, Computer Science), Communications (Communications Studies, Graphic Design, Other) and Liberal Arts (must want a business internship)
We are seeking candidates who are sophomores and juniors at the time of application
No, not for UpTurnships, but some employers have a GPA requirement.
STEP 1: APPLY! This includes completing the online application and uploading your resume, answering some questions and indicating your Top 5 CliftonStrengths
STEP 2: Once we’ve received your completed application, you’ll receive a link to set up a 60-minutes phone screen with a coach who will discuss your application, and area of interest. Your point of contact for any questions will be Melanie Xiong: mxiong@upturnships.org
STEP 3: You will be sent to an on-line training to refine your resume, and prepare your questions for employer interviews. Once your on-line training is completed, you will be assigned an Interviewing Coach who will help you with your interviewing and key professional skills that increase your success at securing an internship.
STEP 4: Review jobs and discuss opportunities with your Interviewing Coach. Then you’ll be set up with interviews for internships.
A rough estimate based on your current debt x number of years left in college, minus any adjustments of income / grants etc…
If you have secured scholarships, or you are working to pay for expenses, or responsible for a college loan – that total is attributed to you. The balance is the amount your parents pay.
The pay is set by the employer, so they can be fair and equitable to all their interns; however, the average pay is around $14/hour and UpTurnships does require a minimum of $12/hour. The program is unique in that our Partner Employers will pay you for the time spent working and for the time spent in training.
The first week is training with UpTurnships. 2020 details are: 5/26-6/1 at Augsburg Univ.; then Monday - Thurs at the employer, returning on Fridays for training / coaching. The program ends on Aug. 14th
Generally, we try to place Juniors between October and December. Sophomores and late applicants, between January and March. Each employer is driven by their budget and calendar, so they vary in timing.
Statistically, students who secure an internship without the help of a program like UpTurnships, average 8 interviews to get 1 position (8:1 ratio). For students in the UpTurnships program, the average is better than 2:1. Once you have been “hired” by one of the companies, you are officially in the program.
It’s the students responsibility on agreed upon items, and to periodically check in with the same person who interviewed them. So make sure you have their contact information. So make sure you keep their contact information, which will be sent to you.
There are two steps in the interview process:
1. The UpTurnships phone interview will be scheduled once you complete the application,( includes CliftonStrengths, resume and photo).
2. Once the UpTurnships interviewer has confirmed you are ready, you will be able to select from a pool of potential employer positions. If the potential employer selects you, you will be contacted by them to make arrangements for an interview.
Business attire is appropriate. Women: a dress, skirt, nice slacks, conservative top / jacket & moderate accessories. Men: Plain shirt and slacks, jacket or tie (a suit is not required, but if you have one – wear it).
One interview outfit is available to men and women, referred to by UpTurnships. Your interview coach will help you with this process. UpTurnships can arrange for you to receive one free interview outfit via our clothing partner - Ready For Success.
No, there are some jobs available in the TC (vs. suburbs), but that will limit the # of jobs to which you can apply.
Yes! However, you must be legally able to work in the US.
Yes, as long as you do not graduate during the summer of the UpTurnships program.
Yes, as long as you do not graduate during the summer of the UpTurnships program.
We will keep in touch with you regarding positions available in you field. If you are not getting called for interviews, you should feel free to use your updated resume and training to apply to other paid internships. Most positions will be filled by March.
Employers
All UpTurnships’ candidates come from our long-term, trusted sources who have a proven record of sending us motivated, high potential applicants. Our Alums are our highest level of referrals. Given several long-standing partnerships, a large number of our candidates attend Minnesota Private Colleges.
We accept strong referrals for candidates that are highly motivated. Please contact us at: info@upturnships.org
We aim for at least 3-5 solid candidates for each job. We discuss the process and number of candidates with you prior to sending you resumes.
We can connect our partner employers’ to currently unemployed UpTurnships alums. Send these requests to your UpTurnships contact or info@upturnships.org
You are at liberty to make arrangements to work with the UpTurn after the UpTurnships’ summer program. 50% of UpTurns receive offers to continue working into the fall.
Yes, we can refer you to an alum of the program for spring internships or full-time hires.
Of course. We will discuss your needs upfront, prior to our Match Team sending you qualified candidates.
We recruit motivated students interested in business careers. We see majors in Economics, Business (Marketing, Analytics, Finance/Accounting, Management, Operations/Supply Chain), Stem (Math, Statistics) and Liberal Arts. We seek students who must have a paid internship in the summer. Our candidates pay 96% of their college costs through work/work study, scholarships, and student loans. 73% are people of color and 54% are first generation college students.
Yes! However, you must be legally able to work in the US.
Yes, as long as you do not graduate during the summer of the UpTurnships program.
Yes, as long as you do not graduate during the summer of the UpTurnships program.
We will keep in touch with you regarding positions available in you field. If you are not getting called for interviews, you should feel free to use your updated resume and training to apply to other paid internships. Most positions will be filled by March.
Volunteers
Student applicant screening and resume preparation volunteers (September-November), primary coaches for the summer program (May-August), and subject matter experts for a training day (May and June).
Volunteers actually deliver the vast majority of the UpTurnships program. Volunteer roles vary depending on the time of year. We highly value diversity of volunteers – in gender, age and ethnicity and in professional experience and skills. Below are specific roles, the time of year this role is needed, and the general time commitment for each role.
1) Interview and screen student applicants to the UpTurnships Program (8 days, Fall. Volunteers are needed 4-8 hours for each day of interviews. Volunteers may select 1 or more interview dates.)
2) Coach student applicants on resume’ building for internships (4-6 sessions, Fall. Volunteers are needed 2-4 hours for each resume building session. Volunteers may select 1 or more resume building sessions.)
3) Coach student applicants on interviewing for internships (4-6 sessions, Fall. Volunteers are needed 2-4 hours for each interview preparation session. Volunteers may select 1 or more interview preparation sessions.)
4) Recruit employers who will provide internships. Volunteers build relationships with company’s HR departments and identify champions who will support UpTurnship. The recruiting calendar starts in July and goes as late as February of the following year. The time commitment is not perfectly predictable, and can range from 2-15 hours per week. The most intensive time is August – November.
5) Subject matter experts – train UpTurns in specific soft business skill areas (2-4 hours in-class training plus preparation time, Late May – Mid-August. Most training is completed in late May and early June.) Subject matter experts teach subjects such as business etiquette, Strengthsfinders 2.0, business writing, public speaking, problem solving, project management, networking, interview preparation, and career path planning.
6) Act as a primary coach to UpTurns, helping them succeed in their internships and define their career path forward (8-12 days, May – Mid-August, including a day of coach "training"). Coaches primarily work with UpTurns 8 Fridays between early June and mid-August. Coaches also commit to act as mentors after the program for a period of 1-2 years. 1-2 coaches are assigned to an UpTurn group of 5-7 students for the duration of the summer program.
7) Act as a substitute coach when primary coaches cannot be available (Fridays, June – Mid-August). Many primary coaches also still work professionally, and occasionally substitute coaches are needed. Substitute coaches can participate for 2-3 hours on the day they substitute.
8) Coach UpTurns on career path options in specific functional areas (2 hours, mid-August). Conduct workshops on potential career paths in different functional areas, such as finance/accounting, marketing, business analytics, operations, HR, etc.
9) Conduct 30-minute mock interviews with 6-8 UpTurns (Mid-August).
10) Participate in a speed networking event, helping UpTurns build their professional networks (Mid-August).