Primary Pre-Requisite: Obtaining Internships

By Audrey S. Rorrer, M.A., NCC

Associate Director, Employer Connections

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

 

The days when a college degree was the primary requirement for fast-track career jobs are over. Today, with an unprecedented number of people attending colleges, and a large pool of people seeking jobs, employers seek more than just a degree and experience- they seek relevant experience. Internships, or co-op experiences, are the best way to obtain relevant experience and become a competitive candidate upon graduation. Unfortunately, procrastination and lack of information cause many students to put off searching for internships or avoid the process altogether. It is certainly a daunting process, but well worth the rewards. Consider internships the pre-requisite to your graduation- the source of practical experience and insight into your future career. The following tips are designed to help you find internships, or co-op opportunities, that are right for you.

 

· Why get internships : Internships are typically one semester of work experience in a professional setting related to your career interests and coursework, sometimes for course credit. Co-ops are also professional experiences, usually more integrated with your curriculum, lasting several semesters. Both teach you practical knowledge of career fields, as well as teach you about professional cultures. (For example, consider the difference between the cultures of elementary school teachers compared to that of college professors.) Internships and co-ops provide the opportunity to practice your theoretical knowledge and to determine what culture you prefer, providing you with career clarity and focus. These experiences are experiments in your future.

 

· Where to start : Begin your second semester on campus, by thinking about why you ventured into college in the first place. What are your career dreams? Having many interests gives you more to work with- pick one to start with, and experiment in different fields. Many companies have summer internships, and quite often offer spring and fall opportunities, so you can build on each experience. Tip: Keep your grades up, and avoid taking those tough courses during an internship semester.

 

· Next Step : Talk to faculty in your interest areas about information they may have available to you, as they will be connected to the professions in which they teach through associations and other professional activities. Also visit your Career Center to check out the information they have available, because their business is to help students explore career opportunities. Career Centers will get you started by helping you define your search, and provide you with information on where to look. Most centers have internship job postings readily available.

 

· In Need of Direction : Consider conducting “informational interviews.” If you aren't sure that journalism is what you want to commit your summer to doing, contact a local journalist to interview him/her about what they do. This will give you a snapshot of their profession and more detailed information on which to base your decision. Again, faculty and your career center will be able to help you find professionals to contact.

 

· Majoring in Liberal Arts : For those of you majoring in a liberal art (such as Biology, Psychology, History, English, Geology, etc.), the world is your oyster. Opportunities abound for you too, even beyond teaching. Ignore the myth that only technical and professional degree majors (like Education, Business, Nursing, Engineering, etc.) can obtain internship experiences. Your communication and analytical skills are highly sought in the world of work. Try out different experiences in healthcare, government, education, research, sales, marketing, management, hospitality, tourism, and more, to decide what path you wish to pursue. Just be ready to sell those “soft skills” such as communication, analytical, interpersonal skills, ability to learn, and motivation.

The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

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