Published on Oct 26, 2021
Anything can be scary when you don’t know what you’re looking at. While we can’t help you with the shadows in your room, we can help shine a light on internships.
First things first
Be aware that an internship is not the same thing as a part-time job, specifically because each has a different outcome. Internships are meant to give you valuable skills that can be transferred to your desired line of work. They let you apply what you’ve learned in class to a real-life setting so that you can improve your professional prowess and tighten that niche network. Because of this, internships ultimately serve as a pipeline to full-time employment within the company or industry of your choice. Part-time jobs might do the same, but they usually serve as a supplemental form of income while you pursue other things.
Finding the internship that’s right for you
Thinking about internships can give you goosebumps, but it’s really a lot simpler than it sounds. The digital age has opened up a gateway for tons of job listing sites to exist that let you browse opportunities from all over the world. Handshake is a great example.
The University of Missouri has partnered with Handshake so that its easier for you to see job and internship opportunities from companies that are specifically interested in hiring straight from the school. Do you want to know the best part? There are opportunities for every major possible. For more information on how to sign up, click here.
Best tips and practices
No matter how you approach the search process, keep these in mind.
- Know what you need and what you’re looking for. There are going to be tons of options for internships, and they’re all going to be different from each other. As you start your search, be aware of what you want. Know what skills you’re looking to gain, what type of compensation you’re looking for, location, etc. It will make the process infinitely easier. For some things to consider, look here.
- Be prepared. Once you set up your interview, do some research. Looking into the company’s history will keep you prepared to answer any question thrown at you, which in turns gives off the impression that you’re serious about the opportunity. Use the research to develop your own questions so that you may have a real conversation with the interview. Cover all your bases.
- Brush up your resume. Whether you’re a freshman, a super-senior, or a grad student it’s always important that your resume is up to date. Don’t submit something you haven’t looked at since high school. Be proud of what you’ve done and who you are. Confidence and professionalism are key.
Just turn on the lights
The opening of the internship tunnel might seem menacing and dark, but you’ll be surprised by how easy it is to walk through with the lights on. The University of Missouri gives you access to a wide variety of resources to help you conquer your fears. The only thing you have to do is look. Feel free to speak with a Career Specialist if you have any further questions.