Every college strives to offer their students’ the most help possible in obtaining successful jobs after college. There are job and internship fairs, advisors to point you in the right direction, and most schools have career centers offering a number of services from securing interviews to creating mock interviews in order to learn how to deliver what an employer looks for. In my experience, I have learned that internships can teach more than most jobs and help you weed out career choices that you’re unsure of. In searching for internships I have compiled a few tips that have helped me since beginning my college career:
-Begin looking early in the year:
• It’s never too early to start trolling the bulletin boards posted around campus. Companies start to look for spring candidates in the beginning of fall and like to secure their recruits by winter.
• Check out the career center and ask if there is any internship their advisors would suggest. A lot of advisors like when you’re personable and contact them for information because they get to know your personality and what would suit you better.
• Don’t wait until the last minute to apply if you find something you like. Recruiters like having a good amount of time to see you’d match what they’re looking for.
-Identify your interests (broaden your search)
• Of course it’s important to know what you’d like to do but taking up an internship that satisfies a hobby could be a rewarding experience and point you in a new career direction.
• Knowing the field you’re interested in, look for jobs that have a base in that field but offer you an experience you would find ‘out of the box’.
-Use your resources!!
• Websites such as www.Internships.com, MonsterTRAK, and school classified ad sites (FSU’s is SeminoleLink) offer many internships and small jobs that will usually accommodate a student’s schedule.
• Have a professor or TA that you’re particularly friendly with or shares interesting stories with the class that have caught your attention? Set a meeting with them to personally introduce yourself and see if they know of anything in their field that would fit your interests well.
• Meet with a representative at your local career center to perfect your interview manner.
• Get that resume in tiptop shape. Have a few copies printed or the online document handy in case an opportunity falls into your lap and you want to show off your experience.
-Time matters
• Every company that offers you a place on their team is going to expect 100% of your efforts. Don’t let them down by not devoting enough consideration to projects by having a schedule that will not fit enough internship-time.
• Discuss your schedule with a possible employer and make sure that you both will be satisfied with the time you can lend them.
-Give it your all (no ifs, ands or buts about it!)
• Whether or not your internship is your dream connection, give it your all. You never know the connections you’ll meet within the company and they might be able to help you in the future.
• Do your best to satisfy your employer and to gain as much knowledge from the experience as possible.
Using these tips, embark on a search for a great match that will hopefully put your career on a path to success.
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