Getting on-campus help to find an off-campus job
Students go to school for several semesters, write hundreds of papers and spend countless hours studying; yet, what happens after graduation hinges on the time taken to sharpen resume and interview skills.
The Office of Internship Services and The Career Development Center can assist students with resumes, cover letters and interviewing skills. The staff there is also ready to help students find an internship.
If students are wondering what good an internship will do them, Maren Mather, internship coordinator, has an idea.
“Internships are professional, engaged learning experiences where students work in their chosen field of study. Interns learn practical, hands-on skills and gain critical networking contacts,” Mather said.
According to Mather, internships can be paid or unpaid and provide academic credit. They can also help students to be competitive in the job market and can also play a major role in the development of choosing a career.
It might also be of interest that 67.7 percent of employers interviewed hire their interns and 42 percent start an intern at a higher wage. Four out five employers offer internship opportunities, so there are plenty of opportunities for students. (Data taken from National Association of Colleges and Employers 2009.)
In a recent article in US News and World Report, it was reported that “Internships are a near necessity in the quest to find a job in today’s market.”
Internships give students the opportunity to examine a career field from the inside, gain experience, learn new skills, enhance resumes, build a network and possibly live somewhere new. Generally, students are awarded one to eight credits for internships.
“To get started, students should contact their Department Coordinator for their major or the Internship Services Office,” said Marsha Haynes, director of Internship Services & Student Employment. “I would also suggest that students go to the UV Job Board to look for an internship. Right now, there are over 150 positions posted.”
The Career Development Center can also help students prepare for the real world by aiding in resume preparation. They can help interested students hone their resume to fit their desired careers.
But building a good resume is only part of the battle, according to Jordan Doman, counselor for Career Development.
“Students beginning a job search, whether for internships or full-time jobs, need to utilize a number of resources. While it is convenient to simply sit at home and search for job opportunities by perusing job sites or surfing the Internet, only 20-25 percent of jobs are found through online searching and applications. The vast majority of jobs are found through networking and connecting with the hidden job market,” Doman said.
So whether you are looking for an internship to get a jump on a career, help working on a resume or simply job-hunting strategies, students can access several on-campus resources to give them a boost.
“The Career Development Center assists students in networking tips and strategies,” Doman said. “We also provide full-time job and internship fairs every semester, which help connect students with employers. Finding a job takes work, and utilizing every resource possible is crucial to landing that job or internship.”
