These resources are intended to help you make the most of our field study experience!
How to Prepare for Your Fieldwork:
- Complete tests/background checks/live scans ahead of time.
- Establish a recurring weekly schedule with your supervisor.
- Review the 2023-2024 Student Flyer.
- Pay close attention to
- Learning Outcomes (Earning an APPLAUSE)
- Sample Assignments
- Pay close attention to
- Track your hours. Here's a time log sample you can use.
- Read through all field study emails, they all include important information.
- Come see us if you have questions or concerns about field study.
- Chat with an advisor: Field Study Student Advising Services
- Email us anytime: sefieldstudy@uci.edu. Wait 3-5 business days for a response.
How to Make the Most of Your Fieldwork Experience
- Take initiative but accept guidance
- Volunteer to take on other tasks, but only as much as you can handle while still doing quality work. Take this as an opportunity to learn from people who are more experienced than you, such as your supervisors.
- Communicate often
- Socialize (with a filter); don't be afraid to get to know your fellow interns and be friendly with them! However, since it is a work environment, make sure to refrain from sharing too much personal information or behaving inappropriately.
- Turn on your camera during Zoom Meetings & participate when appropriate.
- Interns that do the best work tend to be those that communicate often with their supervisors.
- Ask questions to learn more about and show interest in the place that you are working for.
- Ask questions immediately when things are not clear to avoid miscommunication
- Meet regularly with your supervisor to ensure that both of your expectations are being met.
- This is a good way for you to get feedback on your performance and helps to keep you on track with current and future assignments.
- Remember that quality of work is better than quantity of work!
- Proofread your work. Communicate professionally.
- Be observant and ask questions about appropriate behavior at the workplace.
- Different organizations have different expectations regarding employee behavior and it is important that you learn about and conform to the corporate culture.
- Be easy to work with.
- Accept assignments without complaint, ask for more work when assignments are completed, and turn out good quality work
- Go above and beyond to show that you are working diligently by reaching out to the supervisor for more work, rather than waiting
- Listen carefully to instructions and ask for clarification
- Learn to work as a team; be respectful of input from other team members and practice the art of compromising.
Division of Career Pathways: Career Toolkit
- Make sure the internship is project-based and you are obtaining meaningful work experience
- Deliver high quality work and strive to exceed expectations
- Take the initiative to seek additional responsibilities when you have completed your work
- Develop mentor relationships with professionals across the organization
- Maintain your network after the internship is over for future referrals and letters of recommendation
- Remember! Be a team player. Every task is important and fits into the final product. What may seem like a small part of the process does have an impact on the end result
Citations
UCI Division of Career Pathways. “Career Toolkit.” career.uci.edu/undergraduate/explore-a-career/career-toolkit/