The summer internship interview season is just around the corner!

We know it can be really difficult to start building a work-appropriate wardrobe while you’re still on a college student’s budget. That’s why we thought we’d share this special student discount from Ann Taylor.

Just show your student ID at any Ann Taylor store to receive a 20% discount on all full-priced purchases until you graduate! Need a little inspiration? Check out their Style for Students website for lookbooks, videos and some budget-friendly interview options.

Know of some other great student discount offers? .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) so we can spread the word!

You’ll often hear people in business ask, “So what’s our value proposition?”

Value proposition is defined as “a collection of tangible and intangible things your product or service offers.” So what they’re really asking is, “What does this mean for our customer? Why would someone want to buy this? What are the benefits?”

The tangible elements of a value proposition are the product’s features, while the intangible elements are what it enables or how it makes the customer feel.

If you were writing a value proposition for a new hybrid car, for example, the tangible elements would focus around fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, price, etc. The intangibles would be the more emotional benefits, such as how fun it is to drive while helping to protect the environment.

Did you know that people can have value propositions as well?

Consider this question before your next job interview — What’s your value proposition? What are the tangible reasons someone should hire you, such as your knowledge, skills or experience?  What are the intangible benefits you bring to the table, like creative problem solving, a great attitude or your dedication?

The best value propositions always include both the tangible and the intangible benefits.  And the candidate with the best value proposition gets hired. Make sure you’ve thought about both aspects and you’ll really shine during the interview!

If you’re getting close to finishing up your undergraduate degree, you’ve probably also started thinking about your post-college career. As you’re exploring your options, now is great time to start doing a little research on what you’ll need to succeed beyond that entry-level position.

Times have changed.  Many industries that once shunned applicants with an advanced degree now actively seek candidates with greater education, including an MBA. In fact, MBA Focus, a recruiting firm that connects employers with business-school students, reports a 103% increase in MBA-required and MBA-preferred positions posted on their boards since late 2010.

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Glassdoor recently announced their 2012 Employees’ Choice Awards for Best Places to Work, and we’re thrilled to see six Forté Foundation sponsors made the list!

We’re especially excited for our Virtual Campus sponsors, Ernst & Young and Lilly, which came in at numbers 38 and 46, respectively.

Want to know more about what makes these VC sponsors such great places to work? Head over to the Career Gal Road Trip to explore their virtual cities. There, you can learn more about the organizations and even find out how to apply for their internship programs!

Other Forté sponsors making the list include Bain & Company, which snagged the number one position, as well as Chevron, Goldman Sachs and Intel.

If you were choosing the best companies to work for, what would be on your criteria list? What do YOU think defines a “great place to work?”  Tell us, so we can share your thoughts with our many wonderful sponsors! We know they’re interested in what you have to say, because they know you’re the future of their organizations—so tell them what you’ll be looking for as you start your career path!

Finals are over and the spring semester is right around the corner. If you’ve already locked-in an internship for the upcoming term, you’re in good shape.

But what if you haven’t? Should you even try?

Most companies start looking for their spring interns in early October. But, while it is late in the game, you can still make it happen. Just as “finding an internship” got pushed to the bottom of your to-do list, chances are good that for many organizations so did “find an intern.”

So, how to make the most of the time you have left? Here are some short-cut tips on finding (and landing) an internship quickly:

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