Monmouth students are used to opening their email inboxes to find information about internship opportunities. However, among the overwhelming amount of emails students get every day, information about internships may get lost in a digital sea of spike-ball tournaments and academic workshops.
Joking aside, these emails may just be the most important ones you receive, especially if you are a sophomore or junior, so make sure to pay attention to them. Sophomore and junior years are the best times to start applying to internships, so that you create a resume that stands out in the crowd.
Every future college graduate needs to make themselves unique. Employers look for field-related experience that also emphasizes your personality and academic interests.
Yes, you have gone through the motions of college. You have written your papers and sat through all your Gen Eds, but an employer will look for more. What is going to set you aside from the next applicant with the exact same history? Experience.
Build your resume. This might seem trivial because the purpose of internships is to gain experience. But stay focused on scoring an internship that is within your major or interests because that will help you in your future career; do not settle for an internship that will simply fulfill a requirement.
Aim high with your internship applications, and you may end up employed for a company that you’ve always dreamed of working for. This was the case for senior communication student, Christi Ruggiero, when she interned for RED Music, a division of Sony Music, last year.
“I found out about it through Monmouth; they sent out an email to the department of communication. They needed people to make accounts on different social media platforms,” Ruggiero said.
“It was interesting to be able to do the internship remotely. We had to do weekly conference calls with about 60 different people from around the nation, and we were able to listen in on calls with people in the field. That gave me insight into apps that social media influencers use and how to read statistics of viewer demographics. It’s all information I know I’ll use in the future,” Ruggiero added.
If you feel a little lost in the process of finding an internship that feels like a good fit, Monmouth sponsors internship events to try to cater to the needs of every major. If those events do not present you with anything you like, do not stop with the businesses and organizations affiliated with the University. There are countless internships available at the touch of your hands. Use your laptop, travel to the library or student center, and don’t be afraid to get advice from your peers that have already done internships.
Jeff Mass, Associate Director of Career Services said, “We encourage students to think outside of their major. Interning for an organization helps students learn how their classroom knowledge applies to real situations. If you’re not sure if this is the right career for you, doing an internship is a great way to try it out.”
Think of majors as trees: every branch is a focus or concentration, then every leaf is an occupation. You have the power to search through all those jobs opportunities and find the one that best suits you. But you cannot know your true feelings unless you completely immerse yourself into that environment. Internships are free, and they likely will only last for a semester, so they are not a permanent commitment.
Internships are the perfect way to learn more about the workforce before you are thrown into the high demands of a full-time position. Some internships are paid, while others are unpaid and will only offer credit. These are factors to consider when researching internships. Also, make sure that you check the hours that the company expects you to intern every week, so that you do not put too much on your plate.
The benefit of summer internships is that your schedule may be more open for your internship. So, if you’re planning to complete an internship in the fall or spring semesters, be realistic with your schedule. While internships are exciting, school work should still always come first.
Internships are a great way to get a better idea of what you will want to do post-graduation. Saine Hernandez-Burgos, a sophomore anthropology student, is looking forward to applying for internships for this coming summer. “I know that I need to get one because I am still not sure what I want to do, or if this major is right for me” she said.
If you’re eager to start your own internship, the Internship Fair will be held on Oct. 17 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Anacon Hall.
PHOTO COURTESY of Skylar Daley
