Job Search

Tag: Job Search

How AI Can Boost Your Government Job Search

So, you are about to earn your degree and are setting your sights on a career in government—whether it’s at the local, state, federal level, or even with international organizations. The government job market might seem like a maze, but here’s the secret: artificial intelligence (AI) can be your ultimate job-hunting buddy.

Uncover Government Opportunities

Government jobs aren’t always posted on the typical job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed. Many are found on official websites—like USAJobs for federal roles, state or local government portals, and even international platforms for global organizations.

Use your AI assistant to help understand the types of jobs available in government. “What policy analyst positions are available in state government?” or “Where can I find internships in urban planning for local agencies?” Some AI-powered search engines also sift through countless listings to pinpoint opportunities you might have otherwise missed. It’s like having a personal scout who knows all the best spots to look!

Dive Deep into Employer Research

Government roles require a good understanding of the organization’s mission, recent projects, and the challenges they face. AI tools can quickly gather and summarize key info—such as recent policy initiatives, leadership changes, or budget announcements—from official reports, news articles, and press releases.

By using AI to compile these insights, you’re not just applying blindly. You’ll be able to tailor your application and stand out in interviews by showing that you understand the agency’s goals and challenges.

Craft Custom Applications with Ease

One of the biggest blunders new grads make is sending out generic resumes and cover letters. In the competitive world of government hiring, every detail counts.

With AI tools, you can generate draft resumes and cover letters that highlight your relevant skills and experiences—be it a position with a local council or a research project on public policy. For example, you could ask, “Help me write a cover letter for a junior policy advisor role at a state government agency.” Then include the job description and your resume. AI will provide a framework tailored to the job, saving you time and jumpstarting your creativity.

Remember: AI drafts are starting points. It’s crucial to revise them, inject your personality, and ensure they perfectly match your unique experiences.

Get Interview-Ready with AI Practice

Government interviews can be rigorous, often involving behavioral or scenario-based questions. Don’t sweat it—AI can help you practice by simulating common interview questions like:

  • “Describe your understanding of complex regulations in state housing policy.”
  • “How would you handle conflicting priorities in a public service role?”

These virtual practice sessions let you refine your responses, build confidence, and get comfortable explaining your thought process in a clear, structured way. Think of it as rehearsing with a partner who’s always available and never judges your answers.

Tips to Stay on Track

While AI is an amazing resource, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Personalize Your Output: Tailor AI-generated content to reflect your voice and genuine experience. Employers value authenticity.
  • Verify the Facts: Double-check any organizational details or policy updates to ensure your information is current.
  • Use AI as a Helper: Your insights and creativity are irreplaceable. Use AI to boost your process, not replace your unique perspective.

Final Thoughts: Your Journey to Public Service

Entering the world of government work means making a real impact on your community and beyond. With the help of AI, you can uncover the types of opportunities that exist in government, research organizations deeply, craft stellar applications, and prepare to ace those challenging interviews.

How AI Can Help You Land Your First Job in the Arts

So you’ve just graduated (or you’re about to) from Lawrence, and you’re ready to take on the world as an artist, performer, filmmaker, musician, or designer. You’ve got the talent. You’ve got the passion. But the job search? That part might feel… a little overwhelming.

Here’s some good news: you don’t have to do it all alone.

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools can be a major asset for creative grads trying to break into the arts. Whether you’re looking to perform, get cast in a show, land a gallery internship, or work behind the scenes, AI can help you find opportunities, craft stronger applications, and walk into interviews with more confidence.

1. Find Arts-Focused Employers (Without Doom-Scrolling Job Boards)

Not every arts job is going to show up on Handshake, Indeed or LinkedIn. Some of the best opportunities—especially for visual artists, performers, or behind-the-scenes creatives—live on smaller platforms, organization websites, or word of mouth.

But with AI tools like ChatGPT, you can start your search in a smarter way. Try asking things like:

  • “What contemporary dance companies in New York are open to emerging choreographers?”
  • “Which small film studios in Atlanta offer assistant editor roles?”
  • “What art nonprofits hire recent grads for community programs?”

These tools can surface ideas, organizations, and leads you might not have found otherwise. Once you’ve got a list, use AI again to research each place—its mission, recent projects, and what kind of work it’s doing. You’ll walk into the application process already sounding like you get them.

2. Write Custom Resumes and Cover Letters (Without Losing Your Mind)

One of the fastest ways to get ignored? Sending the same generic resume and cover letter to every opportunity.

AI can help you avoid that trap. You can feed it your background and the job description, and it’ll help you draft tailored documents that actually speak to the role. Think:

  • Artist statements that describe your work clearly and powerfully
  • Cover letters that highlight your relevant experience (like being the stage manager for Cabaret or editing your senior capstone film)
  • Resumes that include the right keywords for applicant tracking systems

Pro tip: Always review and edit what AI gives you. Use it as a first draft, not the final product. You want your personality and creativity to shine through.

3. Prep for Interviews Like a Pro

Nervous about interviews? Totally normal. Luckily, AI can help you practice.

Want to prep for a studio assistant role? An audition interview? A grant pitch? You can ask AI to simulate common questions and even give you tips on how to answer them. It’s like having a rehearsal partner—just one that never gets tired of your monologue.

You can also use AI to break down tough questions, practice storytelling, or figure out how to explain a complicated project in simple terms.

4. Don’t Let AI Kill Your Voice

A quick word of caution: don’t rely on AI to do the thinking for you.

Copying and pasting straight from AI tools without editing can make your application feel robotic or off-base. Worse, you might include information that’s outdated or flat-out wrong. And in the arts—where originality, authenticity, and personal connection really matter—that’s a big no.

Use AI as a creative assistant, not a replacement. You bring the spark; AI just helps you shape it.

Final Thoughts: Use the Tools, Own the Journey

Landing your first job in the arts might not look like a straight line. It may be part-time gigs, freelance work, or short-term projects before you find your groove. But using AI can help you approach the process with strategy, clarity, and a lot less stress.

The creative industries reward people who know how to tell their stories—and with AI by your side, you can do just that, from your resume to your next audition or gallery pitch.

How to Spend Your Winter Break Productively

Winter break is a great time to relax and recharge after a busy fall term. But it can also be a valuable opportunity to prepare for your future career goals. If you are planning to have an internship next summer, here are some tips on how to spend your winter break productively.

Tip 1: Apply for internships early

Many summer internships have deadlines in January or February, so don’t wait until the last minute to apply. Start researching potential internships that match your interests, skills, and goals. You can use online platforms like Handshake, Glassdoor, Indeed, or LinkedIn to find internships in various fields and locations. You can also ask the Career Center for recommendations or referrals.

Tip 2: Update your resume and cover letter

Your resume and cover letter are the first impressions you make on potential employers, so make sure they are clear, relevant, and professional. Highlight your academic achievements, work experiences, skills, and extracurricular activities that demonstrate your fit for the internship. Use action verbs, quantify your results, and tailor your documents to each internship you apply for. You can also use online tools like VMock to help you create and proofread your resume and cover letter.

Tip 3: Learn new skills or improve existing ones

Winter break is a perfect time to learn new skills or improve existing ones that can boost your resume and prepare you for your internship. You can take online courses on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or edX that offer a variety of topics and levels. You can also read books, watch videos, listen to podcasts, or join online communities that relate to your field of interest. Learning new skills or improving existing ones can help you stand out from other applicants and show your initiative and curiosity.

Tip 4: Network with professionals and peers

Networking is a powerful way to expand your connections, learn from others, and discover new opportunities. You can network with professionals and peers in your field by attending online events, webinars, or workshops that interest you. You can also reach out to Lawrence alumni, mentors, or contacts from previous internships or jobs and ask them for advice or feedback. Use social media platforms like LinkedIn follow influencers, join groups, or participate in discussions that relate to your field.

Tip 5: Prepare for interviews

If you get invited for an interview, congratulations! That means you have passed the first screening and have a chance to impress the employer with your personality and potential. To prepare for the interview, research the company and the role, practice common interview questions and scenarios, dress appropriately, and be punctual. You can use online platforms like Big Interview to help you practice and improve your interview skills.

Conclusion

Winter break is not only a time to rest and have fun, but also a time to plan ahead and get ready for your summer internship. By following these tips, you can spend your winter break productively and increase your chances of landing your dream internship. Good luck!

Employers Interested in Hiring DACA Students

Below is a list of employers who indicated, as part of a recruitment survey conducted in 2015 by Penn and UCLA, that they would like to be included on a list of those specifically interested in hiring DACA students. The list is broken down by industry. The survey was conducted again in 2019 by the National Association of Colleges & Employers, and those employers are listed in italics below:

Accounting

Biomedical Products/Pharmaceuticals

Communications (Media, Entertainment, Advertising, PR)

Consulting

Education

Financial Services & Insurance

Government

Healthcare

Hospitality/Leisure/Sports

 Legal Services

 

Non-Profits

Other

Recruiting/Staffing

Technology

Source: Career Services, U. of Pennsylvania

Idealist.org Review for #NES Community

Idealist.org is great for students who may not have their teaching certification yet, looking for non-profit work or mission-driven experiences. In the #NES Community, you can find relevant education and non-profit work easily through their search engine, and many of their opportunities are entry-level! Not only do they have jobs and internships but they also have relevant volunteer and graduate programs listed. This site is definitely a good catch-all source for those looking for relevant NES experience. Thankfully, the site is also well organized.

Their site is very easy to navigate, especially for students who are used to searching on Handshake. You just type in keywords for the field you are interested in, the area you are looking around, and then select if you are looking for “Jobs”, “Internships”, “Volunteer”, “Organizations” “Mutual Aid Groups” or “Grad Programs. There are also many other filters that can be used to apply to your search, such as “Job Function”, “Issue Areas”, “Education Level” and so much more! You can really curate the search to exactly what you are looking for, which is very helpful in narrowing down the thousands of search results. Once you find an opportunity you are interested in, then you can apply directly on their site, or it will direct you to the company site where you can apply. Depending on your specific field of interest, for those in the NES Community, we suggest using keywords such as “education”, “teaching”, “non-profit”, “social”, “fundraising” and “giving” to help kick-start your search. 

Idealist.org also has many resources listed on the bottom of its website. They have career resources and also grad resources for applying to grad school. They have hundreds of articles aimed at helping you find the perfect opportunity to apply to next!

Overall, Idealist.org is a very useful tool for searching for jobs, internships, and other opportunities. Those in the NES community should definitely check out what Idealist has to offer since they have thousands of opportunities and also many resources for applying and maintaining your opportunity. 

Career Planning Guide Links

Career Planning Guide (links will take you to the CLC website)
Chapter 1 – Resumes
Chapter 2 – Cover Letters
Chapter 3 – Portfolios and Personal Websites
Chapter 4 – Managing Your Image
Chapter 5 – Etiquette
Chapter 6 – Networking/Making Connections
Chapter 7 – Job and Internship Search
Chapter 8 – Other Letters
Chapter 9 – Interviews
Chapter 10 – Components of a Job Offer
Chapter 11 – Graduate School