How to search for, prepare for and secure a meaningful internship
As spring semester begins, many students start the possibly daunting process of searching for summer internships and jobs.
Assistant Director of Career Services Arminda McKee says the process can be as easy if students know how to search for openings, remain professional and utilize available resources.
McKee recommends first searching Handshake, LinkedIn, company websites and other verified job sites, using the filters to narrow down listings. She also said career fairs are always a good opportunity to network with potential employers.
“[Handshake] houses jobs from all over the United States, including all of the Fortune 500 companies,” McKee said. “Students can simply upload their resumes to that platform and click to apply for different positions that are available.
“[Handshake] also uploads over 100 jobs and internships a day, so it's important for students to check frequently to see if there are any new positions that are available that they're interested in applying for.”
McKee also sends out a weekly email that highlights several internships that are being offered and said Troy has about five career fairs lined up this semester.
For students with little to no job experience, it can be difficult to discern what professionalism really means.
McKee said dressing professionally and ensuring personal social media is clean are the first steps.
“A lot of employers check socials before they hire people, so students should just be aware of how they carry themselves,” McKee said.
Troy offers many services to help students learn professionalism.
“We do have resources on our website that kind of walk students through how to remain professional,” McKee said. “The right words to say, the right way to act and carry yourself.”
Troy also supplies the Career Closet, located in John Robert Lewis Hall, Room 329, which students can visit each semester and receive three items for free.
“They don't have to return the clothes; it’s theirs to keep,” McKee said. “We encourage students who don't necessarily have a professional wardrobe to stop by and start building that wardrobe.”
McKee also wants students to know about the JCPenney Suit-Up event.
“We also have a JCPenney Suit-Up event that will be taking place starting this week through May,” she said. “It's a virtual event, and our students will receive a discount code to use to purchase items from JCPenney, and it's usually around 30% off for professional attire and accessories.”
There are also online courses designed to set students up for career success.
“Troy 3300 is offered online, and it helps students prepare for the workforce; it teaches them basics about resumes, communication skills, cover letters and how to search for jobs,” McKee said. “So, that's a lot of things that are beneficial to students if they want to make sure they are prepared for the workforce early on.”
For students who are undecided about what major to pursue, McKee recommends Troy 1102 Major Exploration & Planning.
“In that class, students learn about themselves,” McKee said. “What we call VIPs— values, interests, personality and skills.
“All of that plays into finding a job that suits them, that kind of will make them happy to go to work.”
Troy also offers Big Interview, Focus 2 and resume writing assistance, all geared toward career and internship readiness.
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