Good grades, summer job experience and participation in student activities and organizations are not enough to help students land a good, full-time job. In today’s competitive job market, students with career related work experience-internships/ co-ops are getting the best interviews and job offers. Internships and co-ops are entry-level professional experiences related to your major and to your career interests. Internships provide valuable opportunities for students to test out career options and gain work experience in their chosen field, increasing a student’s knowledge and sharpening their skills within a work or service environment. The purpose of an internship or co-op is learning, a chance to apply what you have been studying in the classroom in a real work setting. Students participate in projects accompanied by professionals as they tackle special day-to-day challenges. These arrangements are supervised, career-related work experiences combined with reflective, academic study that help students “learn by doing.” They can be found in government, industry, professional, corporate and non-profit settings. Internships can be done locally, out-of-state and even internationally. They can be part-time or full-time, paid or unpaid, and some can be taken for academic credit. An internship is a good way to check out your interest and gain insight in a possible career field. This will help you begin planning your desired career path well before graduation, bridging classroom applications to the professional world, building your resume and increasing your marketability. Internships help you by identifying your interests, strengths and areas you need to improve upon. A good experience can have a substantial influence on your personal growth by developing your intellectual, interpersonal and leadership qualities. It can enhance your awareness and appreciation of moral dilemmas, the importance of diversity, civic and social responsibility. Being able to understand the expectations of your employer, working well with co-workers and being responsive to clients are important to success in any work environment. Getting to know people working in the career field your interested in is easier when your working side-by-side with them. You will have the opportunity to talk with other employees about positions, company expectations, salaries and career advancement. While companies are considering their interns for permanent employment, you, as an intern, get an opportunity to observe the company as well. This type of information will shed light on what you want in a job and what you have to offer the company. You can determine the type of setting you like to work in, whether you enjoy working on team projects or independently and how well you perform under pressure. The best time to begin applying for internships or co-ops is during or after the spring semester of your sophomore year. Internships and co-ops are available year round, fall, spring and summer. By this time you should have completed some coursework in your major therefore making you knowledgeable and competitive for internships and co-ops. Register with The Office of Career Services and talk with the Cooperative Education Coordinator. Any student who is registered with Career Services is eligible to take advantage of interviewing and referral services. Each employer, however, will require specific qualifications, certain skills or abilities and perhaps a certain GPA. It is essential that you get an early start looking for your internship opportunity. This will give you plenty of time to meet deadlines and gather important documents that may be needed in order to complete your application. Preparation is a key ingredient for a successful experience. Presentation, articulation, and research are essential. The Career Services Center offers workshops on a variety of topics. Resumes, Cover Letters, Dressing for Success, Mock Interviews and Dining Etiquette, are just a few of the topics available for you. Remember that employers are seeking students with experience! Are you prepared to enter the workforce? With today’s economy, you can’t afford to wait until the last minute.
LaMonica Sloan, Assistant Director of Career Services and Cooperative Education, Winston-Salem State University Office of Career Services. She can be contacted at 750-3245 for more information.