Do…
…your research
- Learn as much as you can about the organization and position to which you are applying. Demonstrating that you have done your homework shows a prospective employer that you are interested and enthusiastic about working with them.
… take advantage of campus resources
- Check out all that the Career Center (http://www.lawrence.edu/dept/student_dean/career/) and the Center for Community Engagement & Social Change (CCE) (https://www.lawrence.edu/offices/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities/) have to offer. Staff can help you search for positions, fill out applications, and connect with alumni working in your field of interest.
- Also, the Career Center offers a variety of workshops designed to help you with the internship search and application process.
… make the most of your connections
- Talk with family friends and relatives about your interests and goals. You never know who might have connections within the industry you want to work.
- Plus, engaging with older generations makes a good impression on people who may be in a position to recommend or hire you for a position.
… get started early
- Some internship applications have deadlines as early as during the fall and many have due dates during the winter or spring, so you want to start looking for a position while you are still in school.
- Plus, if you make contact with an employer early, you may be able to set up an interview to speak with them in person over spring break.
… strive to make a good impression
- Acting in a professional manner is hugely important during the hiring process and in the workplace. Be sure to dress appropriately and bring two resumes to each interview.
Don’t…
… ask someone else to do the work for you
- Having someone else (such as your parents) find and contact potential employers may send the impression that you are not invested in finding a position or that you cannot handle the work yourself.
… hide conflicts
- Let the organization know upfront about your availability and potential conflicts. Mentioning that you are going to be out of town for three weeks in the middle of the summer after you have already been hired may be a big inconvenience to your employers.
If you land an internship … the Career Center website will provide you with tons of support, including orientation to the internship process, learning agreements for you and your employer, mid-internship evaluations, and site visits.
Questions? Call, email (careercenter@lawrence.edu), or stop by the Career Center to set up an appointment.