Graduating from college is a major milestone. Once you have finished celebrating your student’s success, it’s time to help your student determine their next steps. Your student’s college degree is a stepping stone to other future life achievements. So what's next for your student after college?

For some students, the career they want to pursue requires a graduate degree; others may decide to continue their studies in graduate school to avoid a bad job market, or to just avoid a getting a job. If your student has opted for graduate school, they have most likely already taken the necessary tests and applied. If not, time is of the essence.

If your student decides they’re ready to enter the workforce, it’s not uncommon for them to have little to no idea what they want to do with their careers. Career experts predict the average person will switch careers, not jobs, four to five times over their lifetime. Encourage your student visit their colleges Career Services center to find useful tools and resources to help them with career choices and direction. Once they have narrowed the field, it’s time to get out there and find a job.

While graduates should have begun their job search prior to graduation, it is definitely not too late to get the ball rolling. One of the biggest mistakes graduating seniors make is by doing the obvious-- looking for job openings. Instead, one of the best ways to land a great job is to research companies that will potentially provide career growth. Remember, your student doesn’t have to find the perfect job the first time. But, at least finding a job that provides options for career growth will allow them an opportunity to find a career they can pursue.

Besides choosing between career and school, your student will also need to make multiple life decisions upon graduation. First of all, where will your student live? Will they live at home or on their own, in the same town as the college or try a new location? To help determine this, your student will need to consider what expenses they will have to handle. For example, consider expenses such as car payments or transportation, insurance expenses, student loans, utilities, credit card payments, etc. The sheer amount of anticipated expenses may dictate your student’s living situation until the job and career path has been better determined.

Article courtesy of universityparent.com.

Sources:
http://www.quintcareers.com/next_after_college.html

Do you know what to look for in an internship? An internship is a useful experience that can show you what a career in a particular field will look like and if you’re suited for that field.

Think about it: how else will you know if that’s what you want to do with your life? An internship is a great way to test out the waters.

Check out the below information to help you decide what type of internship may be best for you and how to find it. [gate]

The Benefits of Internships

While some internships pay, many do not. However, the benefits you gain can be invaluable to your resume like job experience, networking potential, connecting with mentors, as well as the potential of job placement.

Finding the Right Fit

The right internship can demonstrate what your career path will look like, help you experience the working world for yourself and teach you job placement skills.

In addition, internships help you asses if you’re in the right field. If you take an internship in your current major and decide you dislike it, then it may not be the right career path for you. On the flip side, taking an internship in a different field that’s of interest may inspire you to switch majors.

Keep in mind that many internships will contain a mix of exciting and mundane job requirements, as with most jobs, so don’t rule out internships that aren't glamorous all day long. After all, everyone needs to pay their dues!

Try to find someone with a career you’d like to have and see if you can intern with them. When you intern working with someone you admire, you’ll be able to learn from them and create great connections that will likely benefit you in the future.

Starting Your Search

Decide what type of internship you’d like to purse and utilize any connections or resources available, including your school’s placement services, teachers and web sites like Fastweb.

Don’t discount family and friends! Personal connections often lead to great opportunities, also!

If you've always dreamed of working for a specific company or organization, don’t be intimidated to contact them directly to inquire about their internship program.

Many companies have programs built specifically for that purpose and knowing you've have a passion for that company or organization will likely make you stand out in the interview process.

How to Get Started

By putting some thought into your search and using the resources that are available to you, you can find an internship that will offer you great opportunities.

Keep in Mind

Consider your goals and what you’d like to get out of the internship when you’re finished. Are you looking to find out if the path is right for you or are you trying to make connections for the future? What type of skills are you looking to learn?

The goal of going through the grueling application and interview processes is to get to the ultimate goal: a job offer.

The employment offer comes in and excitement ensues until you suddenly realize that negotiations will soon begin, assuming you intend to accept the offer.

If you want to get to a mutually agreed upon contract cordially and quickly, try the following helpful suggestions. [gate]

Understand the hiring manager.

It’s important to understand how the negotiations process will take place. Will you two be having a conversation or will all negotiations take place in writing? Do you get the sense that the hiring manager will give you the best offer possible from the start?

It’s important to have these open, honest conversations to begin the process so that each party can how what type of negotiations will take place, what is realistic to ask for and that neither party leaves the negotiation feeling as if the other has taken advantage of them.

Negotiate for the future.

While it may not seem like much in the moment, the difference of a couple thousand dollars can add up to a very large sum during the span of an entire career.

Take advice with a grain of salt.

It’s great to ask others for guidance like mentors, people you trust within the field and family members.

But, make sure that you are the ultimate judge about what advice is appropriate to take and apply to your particular situation.

Remember, not all advice will be applicable and only you are responsible for what you bring to the table.

Research previous hiring contracts.

If you know the hiring precedents, you’ll be ahead of the game in terms of negotiations. Research the company and talk to trusted peers that have worked for or currently work for the company to gain some insight into what the hiring contracts typically look like for the position you’re being offered.

Justify your requests.

When making specific contract requests, explain the reasoning behind your request.

For example, if you’re requesting a certain salary, you can explain that you've researched typical salaries within your field and are requesting a salary that is comparable to a median salary within the research findings.

Most hiring managers would see that as a reasonable request as opposed to you just choosing an arbitrary number that you’d like to be earning.

Understand each offer and contract.

Are you aware of how long each offer is valid? You don’t want to take too much time thinking over the offer, decide to accept it and come to find that it has expired in the meantime.

Did you take the time to go through the entire offer before making a list of demands? Often times, hiring departments have standard sets of packages they offer to new hires that include many of the items you were likely going to request.

It would certainly appear careless to request the very items that were already being offered to you!

Compromise.

As the word “negotiation” indicates, both parties will likely need to practice the art of compromise.

Consider what factors are most important to you and compromise on the others.

Remember, you will likely have to work with the person you’re negotiating with and it’s much better to have a great working relationship than to disagree over something petty.

You don’t want to sabotage your potential hiring contract over something that may not matter that much to you in the end, either.

Try to put each item in perspective and consider whether or not it makes that big of a difference in your future.

Be humble.

If a company is offering you a position, they know they are lucky to have you – you don’t need to remind them. Often times, relationships can be severed and offers are rescinded because potential employees become too arrogant in the hiring process and demand too much.

Make sure all of your demands are within reason and on par with the rest of the current team you will be working with. You certainly don’t want to enter into a scenario with bitterness and resentment because you were able to over-negotiate.

While it may seem like a good thing to get more, it may place more strain than it’s worth on your relationship with your coworkers, making your work relationships very difficult.

In the end, the goal is to find a happy medium that both parties feel is fair. This should be fairly simple if the negotiators come to the table open-minded and honest about expectations.

When the process is finished, it should result in both a signed employment contract as well as the start of a successful working partnership that will last for years to come.

What advice would you add to this list?

Meeting with people who work in a career or company that interests you is a great way to get a jump-start on your dream job. They'll not only let you know about opportunities in the field, but they can also give you some great advice based on their experience. However, in order to get the information you need, you have to ask the right questions.

Up Close with a Career

By getting a person's perspective on his or her career, you can think about how you want to plan your own career path.

• What interested you in this career?


• Why do you think this was a good career choice?


• If you were choosing a career today, would you make the same choice?


• How did you get your job?


• What is your role in your organization?


• What is the part about your job that you like the least?


• Do you enjoy coming to work every day?


• Would you recommend that your son or daughter follow in your footsteps?

Know the Field

Get a better idea of what the industry is like.

• What are the most important qualifications to succeed in this career?


• What kinds of people have held the job I'm interested in?


• What kind of training and/or schools would you recommend for this field?


• What are the big issues in your field today?


• What are the major problems?


• What opportunities do you see arising in this field?


• What is the culture usually like in this field?


• How has the field changed since you entered it?


• Are there organizations in this field in the ________ area?


• Do you know anyone else who can tell me more about this industry?

In Good Company

Learn more about the companies in your field and make a more educated decision about who you want to work for.

• Do you know of any organizations that hire new graduates?


• What do you like about your company?


• What did you like about the previous companies you worked for?


• Do you know anyone at _________ (a company you're interested in)?

Choose the questions that are the most appropriate for your field and listen carefully to the answers you get. What you learn may be your ticket to a great job and a great career.

No one will ever care about your career as much as you do. But if there were ever a group of people to come close, it would be alumni from your college or university. These former students have likely been in your shoes themselves, and are generally among the most willing to help your career development if you ask.

Why are alums such an excellent career resource? For starters, they have something in common with you. They went to your school. They may have had the same classes and professors as you, joined the same student organizations and participated in the same extracurricular activities. So they have a natural connection with you and your institution's current students and graduates.

Because of this connection, alums can often give specific career advice you probably wouldn't get from anyone else. If you're a sociology major, for example, alums who majored in sociology will know about your specific academic program and can tell you how they translated that major into a career. They can also tell you about "if I could do it all over again" aspects of their college and professional careers, so you can avoid mistakes they made in school or when embarking on their careers.

Furthermore, many alums are looking for ways to give back to their schools without giving money. They'd much rather give their time and advice to you than a check to your institution, especially since they receive the nice side benefit of helping someone directly.

So make a conscious effort to include your school's alums in your career decision-making or job hunting efforts. It's easy to track down alums to talk to, either in person or via phone or email.

Visit Your Campus Career Center

Many campus career centers maintain computerized databases of alums who have volunteered to talk with current students about career issues. Typically, you can search these databases to find alums who work in a certain industry, majored in a certain degree, or live and work in a certain geographic area. Occasionally, campus career centers also host alumni panel events, during which several alums return to campus to discuss their careers with students. If your school offers such opportunities, be sure to take advantage of them.

Use Your School's Alumni Office

Almost all campus alumni offices publish alumni directories. The directories are usually indexed by variables, including graduates' majors, industries and geographic locations. Increasingly, alumni offices are making their directories available online as well. Remember, too, that most alumni offices publish a monthly or quarterly alumni magazine that is mailed to alums and is often available online. These magazines typically include listings of alums, describing what they are doing now, career-wise.

Look for Alumni Chapters in Cities That Interest You

Many alums, particularly from larger schools and private schools, form chapter groups in their cities, with the express purpose of getting together with fellow alums. These groups can be outstanding resources, especially since you can safely assume the people who participate in them are likely interested in talking to fellow alums, or future alums -- like you. To learn about alumni chapters in your area or elsewhere, simply contact your school's alumni office or visit its Web site.

Use MonsterTRAK's Career Contact and Alumni Network

This database consists of alums and others, representing diverse career fields nationwide, who have offered to share their career experiences with you. Search the database for your school to find some helpful contacts.

Whenever you're figuring out what to major in, what career to pursue, or how to land an internship or job, it helps to know people who are on your side. Alums can be among those people. All you need to do is ask, and then make use of their informed advice to help you define and reach your career goals.

This article originally appeared on Monster.com.

Networking is more important than ever when it comes to landing a job.

You may think that networking is for corporate types, not for college students. But you're wrong. According to one Wall Street Journal survey, 94 percent of respondents said networking was their primary job-search method. As the saying goes, "either network or not work." So where do you start as a college student?

1. Compile a list — Make a list of everyone you know, from your hairdresser to your professor, from your Aunt Beatrice to your car mechanic. Everyone has their own network; one of your hairdresser's clients just might be the executive of a company you'd like to work for.

2. Review the list — Prioritize the names according to a criterion that works best for you. For instance, you may feel more comfortable approaching contacts who are closer to your own age or who are at the beginning stages of their careers. Start with this group, and then work up to calling contacts outside your "comfort zone."

3. Create strategy sheets — Fumbling for words while networking can spell disaster. Script out what you plan to say in advance. Start with two basic elements: who you are and why you are calling. Quickly summarize your background and explain how you found this contact. Don't say, "I want a job." Instead, say "I'd like your advice about opportunities in engineering in the local area," or "I'm exploring this field and I'd like some advice." Practice beforehand with your written script, but keep it natural: During the call, use your script as a reference, but avoid reading straight from it.

4. Get on the phone — The phone is the best way to start networking. Start by hitting the points on your strategy sheets and then ask for a brief meeting. If your contact is unable to meet, ask for additional contact names. If you reach voicemail, use your strategy sheets to leave a message. Set a goal of making a certain number of calls each day.

5. Prepare beforehand — Decide what you want to discuss and prepare meeting notes. Jot down your strengths, achievements, goals and any questions you have. If you are meeting to learn about a company, do some research (the Internet and the company's public relations department can help) and prepare questions.

6. During the meeting — Use your notes to guide your questions and keep the meeting on track. Take notes during the meeting if it seems appropriate. Don't be shy about asking for additional references. As a rule, try to get at least two other names and numbers from each contact you meet.

7. Follow up — Afterward, send a handwritten thank-you note. Keep a record of your meeting, noting whom you met, what you learned and any additional references you received.

8. Keep in touch — Once you have a job, write all contacts a brief note to let them know what you're doing. And remember, networking is a two-way street: Let your contacts know you will provide them with help in return whenever possible.

Experts say that when you’re trying to get your career off the ground, you should go to work. This may seem like common sense: if you want to keep working, go to work. What we’re actually referring to here, however, is the value of being present in the office. [gate]

But my office environment is flexible and my boss doesn't mind if I work from home!

Perhaps that’s true, but there is something to be said about being present in the office. It says you’re dependable. It says you’re ready to conquer the day’s tasks and that you prioritize work.

Yes, there are valid excuses to work from home. What we’re referring to is working from home on an all-too-regular basis.
Think about it: what happens in the office if you are working from home?

For example, your boss needs to assign the next big project to someone. Who will he or she give it to? The person they cannot see at home or someone who came in that day? Likely, the latter.

A person’s presence reminds you to think of them and, in this case, keep them in mind for projects.

More than likely, to someone who comes in everyday. The truth is that trusting relationships are built when colleagues see one another, day in and day out. They become staples in each other’s days, as any other form of normalcy.

Reminders or Issues? Forget about it. If you’re not present, you’re on your own.

The best way to gather information is always from the source.

Whatever arises throughout the workday is usually unexpected and, on the rare occasion that it’s exciting, the people that have been there for all of the issues (even the boring and mundane) will be there to hear about it first and deal with it.

Most likely, they’ll do this before even considering calling you at home.

If you’re chalking your career up to being at the right place at the right time, we’d strongly suggest being in the office – a place where many successful people have been “discovered.”

After all, how can someone give you a promotion if you’re never present?

Where are all of the jobs?

This question has plagued job seekers in recent years, especially with companies cutting back on hiring due to the economy.

The economy is better – in fact, 5.5 million jobs have been added since 2010, but there’s still improvement necessary.

However, according to U.S. News, some industries seem to be resilient enough that they’re recession-proof. This may be because of the nature of the particular industry or are need-based.

Either way, the following industries are definitely here to stay, with record-breaking amounts of jobs available now and, more than likely, in the future.[gate]

The Healthcare Industry – 14.5 million jobs



Healthcare is a recession-resistant industry. It grows along with the population and, as the population grows, they age – all of which aid the industry in a booming hiring spree that doesn't seem like it’ll slow down anytime soon.

The Food Industry – 10.1 million jobs



Bars and restaurants will always be around as long as people get hungry and thirsty.

Now that the economy is starting to look up, people are spending money on eating out again, especially when they feel they’re receiving value for their money.

The Retail Industry – 5.3 million jobs



Only certain types of retailers are at particularly high hiring levels.

What do these types have in common? They’re the retailers that sell necessities, like grocery stores and tire shops, or the ones that sell discount items at places like pawn shops and bargain basements.

Management Positions – 2 million jobs



Even though many companies have been forced to cut back on spending, people with management skills are still in high demand to ensure that day to day business runs smoothly.

What other industries do you see hiring trends in?

Can Twitter actually help in your job search?

Apparently, using social media can be an effective tool in making the hunt a little more manageable.

By utilizing the simple tips below, you can position yourself into becoming a social networking super sleuth, detecting jobs tweet after tweet. [gate]

Tip 1: Brand Yourself

Whether it’s your name, a description of your capabilities or your occupation or your brand, make sure that your Twitter handle is personal, professional and represents your personality and flare.

For example, a Twitter handle showing a description of your capabilities might read @strngleadr, while an occupational handle might be @designerofgraphics.

Tip 2: Network

Find people within your field and follow them. They could be past or present colleagues, people within your business network or other acquaintances.

Introduce yourself via Twitter and utilize their connections once they follow you in return.

Tip 3: Tweet It

While it can be challenging to express yourself in 140 characters or less, look at it as a writing challenge. Create your own original content that is thought-provoking within your field and share it to your followers.

When tweeting, it’s always great to consider the follower. Would I want to read this? Would I find this useful? You won’t gain much recognition if the answer to either of those questions is a resounding “no.”

Tip 4: Search

Make the most of Twitter’s search function by looking for job openings. Become familiar with how to search in different ways, through hash tags (#), which make twitter topics easier to sort through.

Search terms like #jobs, #job, #nowhiring, #careers, #work and other related topics will be most helpful to include within your search.

In addition, you can add terms that apply to your specific situation to narrow down the results, such as #scientist or #Chicago.

If you see a company that looks interesting, but they don’t have an opening that fits your specific criteria, you can follow them in case they post an opening at a later date. That way, you’ll see the job posting come up in your news feed immediately.

Tip 5: Become a Follower

On Twitter, you’re able to follow anyone. You don’t need to have the other party’s permission to follow them and they don’t have to be following you back. Follow industry leaders, recruiters and headhunters and people within your field you’d like to get to know.

Remember, it’s all about connections!

Tip 6: Retweet

Never underestimate the power of a retweet. Read the tweets of people you’re following and, when you find something interesting or insightful, retweet it. It will flatter the person that wrote it and likely get them to notice you.

It would be especially noteworthy if you add an additional insight to their tweet. Do this only when you actually have something of value to say, otherwise you won’t be drawing the right type of attention to yourself.

Tip 7: Share Your Story

Cautiously share tidbits of information that others looking to hire might find valuable. Without becoming a braggart, post tweets letting others know when you accomplish something or make a significant contribution within your area of expertise.

Share opportunities with others like seminars, events, articles and exhibits they may find interesting or relevant. That way, you will soon position yourself to become a staple user profile they regularly check for the most up-to-date information, making you noticeable, valuable and helpful – all qualities people would like to see in a potential employee.

As always, remember the rules of social media etiquette.

Stray from controversy, profanity and unprofessional topics. Keep in mind that once you post something, it will always be out there.

If you wouldn't say it during a job interview, then don’t post it for potential employers to see.

Tip 8: Play Favorites

Twitter also allows users to “favorite” tweets. If you read a tweet you find particularly fascinating or perceptive, add it to your “favorite” list.

The person that composed the tweet will be notified that you've chosen their tweet as a “favorite” and will likely be flattered that you value their thoughts and added your own as well.

Have you made any job connections via Twitter?

We’re not going to sugarcoat it: interviews can be tough. You’re a bundle of nerves and you really want that position. You don’t want to mess up or say the wrong thing.

You think you’re doing everything to prepare but what if you’re making one huge mistake that’s ruining everything?

After all, everyone wants to walk away from the interview with the wow-I-just-nailed-it feeling. At Fastweb, we want you to feel that way, too.

Here are some common interview mistakes that you should be avoiding like the plague:

1. Long Answers –
   
   
   
   It’s great if you are enthusiastic during the interview and could go on for hours. It doesn't mean that you should, though. Interviewers prepare a set of questions and are likely allotting a short amount of time for each. So, although you might be able to go on and on, don’t. It may come across as egotistical or (gasp!) boring.


2. Not Answering the Question –
   
   
   
   Whether or not you like their question is irrelevant because, obviously, the interviewer likes it if they asked it. Don’t half-answer in order to bridge to another question you’d rather answer. This will likely only irritate the interviewer and cause them to believe you wouldn't or, even worse, couldn't answer their original question.


3. The Smile and Nod –
   
   
   
   It’s great to seem friendly and also to nod in agreement when the interviewer is speaking. But do that the whole interview and you can come across as disinterested, checked out or not listening – all qualities that people don’t look for in potential employees.


4. Embellishing Experiences –
   
   
   
   It’s tempting to exaggerate your experiences, even if ever so slightly, but this can easily come back to haunt you down the road. Whether it’s through references or just qualifications, make sure you can back up what you say during the interview process. Focus on qualities and skills you have strength in and don’t get carried away with silly exaggerations.
   
   
   
   If you find yourself needing to exaggerate too much, you may be interviewing for the wrong job position.


5. Shooting Down Ideas –
   
   
   
   If the interviewer shares a potential idea that is a task falling under the position they’re hiring for and you don’t agree with it, wait until you get the job to take a stand or give them advice on the position they're hiring for.


6. Know Your Presentation Format –
   
   
   
   You may have the most advanced technology out there for your presentation but do you know how to use it? It won’t help you one bit if you don’t. Practice beforehand so you’re familiar with your presentation format and because technology can be unpredictable create a back-up plan just in case things go awry.
   
   
   
   In the event things do go south (technology –wise), use it to your advantage to show the interviewer your organization, preparation and flexibility. Many interviewees would freeze in the situation but, when prepared with backup materials, you can roll with the punches and shine.


7. Dismissing Personnel –
   
   
   
   Don’t judge an interviewer or other office personnel by their age or position. Be kind and courteous to everyone that works where you’re interviewing. After all, they work with the interviewer and people do talk.


8. Snarky Answers –
   
   
   
   There are times when an interviewer may rub you the wrong way, ask a question that you find inappropriate or, perhaps, irrelevant. It’s always best to respond with grace than with attitude because, regardless of the question, the person is still your interviewer.


9. Poor References –
   
   
   
   If you give references, make sure they are favorable ones. A gap in employment is always better than a negative reference from a former employer.
   
   
   
   Sometimes references aren't negative, just halfhearted or unresponsive to a potential employer’s inquiry. Make sure that you ask your references ahead of time if they mind so that they can be prepared for the responsibility.
   
   
   
   Remember, you can also always ask to see any letters of recommendation sent on your behalf to ensure they meet your standards.


10. The Yes-man –
    
    
    
    While everyone wants to appear friendly and agreeable in interviews, beware of just seeming like a “ yes-man.” It’s great to communicate that you value working as a team and collaborating with others but, when you emphasize the importance of getting along with others too much in a interview, the interviewer may view you as weak or too concerned about what others think to get the job done.


11. Unawareness or Unwillingness to Admit Weaknesses –
    
    
    
    Nobody’s perfect. This shouldn't be news to anyone; yet, many candidates think they might be able to trick an interviewer into thinking they are. It takes a stronger person to admit their weaknesses than to hide them.


12. Conditions –
    
    
    
    Although you might be far in the interview process make sure to remember: if you don’t have an offer in writing, you don’t have an official offer. Don’t list conditions of employment before you actually have an offer because, chances are, that will take you out of the running faster than you can say “paid vacation.”


13. Pretending You Know Answers You Don’t –
    
    
    
    Sometimes, it’s really OK to admit you don’t know an answer. Most interviewers will be refreshed that you can admit ignorance rather than trying to pretend you know what you’re talking about. Trust us; you’re not fooling them when you babble on about company statistics, data and reports you know nothing about.
    
    
    
    That being said, this only works to a certain degree. Prepare for an interview beforehand so that you know answers. Not knowing one answer is human. Not knowing any means you might need to prepare more or, perhaps, you’re interviewing for the wrong job position all together.

Have you ever experienced any of these mistakes? What happened?

If you're on the fence about whether or not to pursue an internship during college, the statistics alone should convince you to do one. Employers overwhelmingly point to internship experience as the most important factor they consider in hiring new college graduates for full-time positions, and they have a variety of self-serving reasons for feeling that way.

How do you benefit from taking part in an internship? Here's what a few of your fellow students and recent graduates had to say:

Gain Industry Knowledge You Won't Learn Anywhere Else

"Being able to talk with people working in the industry I'm studying to work in is priceless," says Jared Smith, a 24-year-old junior at Shasta College, beginning his second Web development internship for Redding Electric Utility in California. "I was able to spend the day in the control room at the power station, which was amazing for me. I was also able to see the data that is going to be important to me in my career. I learned about things I'll never find in the classroom. Now I can focus on my studies and strive for the knowledge I'll need in tomorrow's workforce."

Accumulate Evidence of Your Abilities

Eugenia Sozzi, a 21-year-old senior at the Catholic University of America, majoring in human resource management, says her recently completed internship at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, DC, "Gave me many opportunities to test and refine my skills." She spent her summer creating, implementing and managing a new internship program for the organization.

As a visionary, she says, "I had to create a program from scratch, setting down its foundations through a mission and vision statement and creating the core aspects of the program accompanied by the supporting details. As a saleswoman, I needed to sell this program to the supervisors and directors who had better things to be doing than supporting this program and even allocating resources to it."

Now, Sozzi says she can demonstrate her leadership talents to future employers, her ability to work well with different types of people and her skills in seeing projects through from start to finish.

Make Critical Professional Contacts

"One of the benefits I took away from my internship was the personal references I can use when [future] employers ask for them," notes 22-year-old Michael Charron, a recent communications graduate of Worcester State College who interned for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette newspaper during his senior year. "That's important, because now I have an actual reference letter from a work-related person rather than a family friend. Plus, I've also been able to do some networking and get prospective leads on other workplaces that might be hiring."

Your Confidence Will Improve

Michelle Jost is a 22-year-old senior at the University of Wisconsin at Madison who will graduate in December 2001 with a degree in conservation. She's interned as an animal educator at the New England Aquarium in Boston, as an assistant for Natural Health magazine in Boston and as an attractions hostess at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida.

"How have my internships benefited me?" says Jost. "I'm in the process of finding a job right now, and my resume rocks! I'm not concerned about finding a great position in the field I want. I'm going as a Disney-trained, internationally published educational presenter who has the New England Aquarium as my main reference. So I have the confidence of someone who's been in my field for several years, and I have the names, references and organizations to back me up."

Possibly Land a Full-Time Job

Forty-seven-year-old Wendy Stubbs is now a career development specialist at the University of South Dakota, thanks in great part to the internship she completed at the USD Career Development Center last year as a graduate student. Meanwhile, 24-year-old September McIntyre, who just finished her master's degree in public relations at the University of North Texas, landed her new job as a public relations specialist for BSMG Worldwide in Dallas following a six-month internship with the company.

Research shows that 85 percent of companies use internships and similar experiential education programs to recruit for their full-time workforces.

How would you like to be an intern in the British parliament? Or teach English in Japan?

With an international internship, you'll show employers that you have a knowledge of international business, as well as the ability to work in another culture.

Programs That Send You Abroad

To find an international internship, start with your school. Colleges and universities sponsor many overseas internship programs. You can sometimes get credit and financial aid for your internship. Check your academic department or study abroad office for more information.

Exchange and placement programs also offer paid and unpaid internships. Submit your criteria and they select openings that fit your needs.

Start by checking out:

• The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE): One of the largest international education organizations, the CIEE offers work, study and travel programs for students all over the world.


• The British Universities North America Club: provides opportunities for students from Great Britain, the U.S. and other countries to work and study overseas.


• The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience: lets you work in jobs relevant to your studies.

Going Straight to the Source

You don't have to go through a placement program to get an internship. By going directly to international organizations or businesses, you can discover some incredible opportunities.

To learn about how businesses and governments run internationally, check out internships with public multinational organizations. These organizations offer a truly global perspective by bringing together representatives from all over the world. Most of these internships are unpaid; paid internships are generally reserved for graduate students. Some good places to start your search include:

• U.S. State Department


• United Nations


• The World Bank

Private corporations like Proctor & Gamble and Coca-Cola can also be a good source of internships. Larger companies may offer more clout, but smaller local firms are likely to be less competitive. Most internships with private industry pay enough to cover basic living expenses.

Non-government organizations (NGOs) are non-profit organizations that focus on topics ranging from human rights to research. For more information about NGO internships, visit Ngo.org.

International educational organizations are always looking for English-speaking teachers. You usually need a bachelor's degree and must commit to at least one year of service. Check out these programs:

• Teach English in Japan through the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program.


• The International Educators' Network Association offers a searchable database of overseas teaching opportunities.

Get Ready to Go

If you want to do an internship abroad, you need to plan ahead. Deadlines for summer programs can be as early as November 1. And make sure you have time to:

• Get a passport, work permit and visa (if applicable).


• Plan how you are going to cover living and traveling expenses. Many internships are unpaid.


• Clearly define your job duties with the sponsoring organization.


• Find out from the country's consulate if you need any vaccinations.


• Ask about opportunities for academic credit or scholarships.


• Ask the sponsoring organization to help you locate housing.


• Familiarize yourself with the language through classes or tapes.


• Research the country's history, politics, economy, traditions, etc.

Interning abroad proves you have initiative, experience and a global perspective. Your resume will get a boost, and you'll have the opportunity of a lifetime.

When you're a college student or recent grad and trying to write a resume, especially your first one, you'll face questions you typically won't find addressed in the current blizzard of resume books. That doesn't mean your questions aren't valid; it simply means the resume experts often overlook them, because they generally target mid-career audiences.

Over the last five years as The MonsterTRAK Career Coach, I've seen many versions of the following resume-related questions. It's time for some answers.

1. Should My Resume Be One Page or Two?

If you read enough books or talk to enough people who “know” about resumes, you'll come across a rule stating your resume should be only one page long. It's time to let this myth go, along with the resume handcuffing it spawns.

It's great if you can do this. But if you end up leaving out so much good material that you destroy your interview chances, what good have you done?

Remember: A human will read your resume. Some readers demand your resume be one page. Others will read a two-pager without hesitation. You don't know who's who, but the point still remains –- a one-page rule simply doesn't exist.

2. Should the Education Section Go at the Beginning or End?

In most cases, it makes sense to put the Education section at the beginning of your resume, since you're a college student or recent grad. But if you've got a lot of great internship, co-op or work experience closely related to your chosen field, position your Experience section ahead of Education.

Here's another resume area where there's no rule. Put it where it makes the most sense for you and your particular skills and experiences.

3. Should I Include My GPA on My Resume?

Yes — if it's above a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). If not, try to make it look better by highlighting your major GPA instead of your cumulative one or calculating your GPA for the last three or four semesters, for example.

4. Should I List My School Address, My Permanent Address or Both?

If in doubt, list both — as long as you can actually be reached at both. If not, use the address where an employer will actually be able to reach you for the next few months.

5. What Can I Put on My Resume If I Don't Have Much Experience?

For starters, don't overlook or ignore the skills you've gained from jobs you've taken simply to get through school. You've also gained valuable experience from:

* Your foreign-language study.

* Alternative learning experiences, like studying abroad or conducting research.

* Your constant computer and Internet use.
* Extracurricular activities.

6. Should My Resume Include Only Paid Experience?

Not at all! Employers are interested in your skills, not whether or not you've been paid to learn them. So don't hesitate to highlight nonpaying work and volunteer experiences if they've given you bragging rights.

7. Should I Include Precollege Information on My Resume?

Generally, no -- employers aren't likely to care about it much. There are exceptions, of course. Suppose you won a national award in high school, or you accomplished something well beyond the ordinary. Then you should highlight it, especially if it's connected to your chosen field.

To learn more about how to develop a great resume, visit the Monster Resume Center. And remember: Resume writing is much more art than science, so just as you would with an art project, express yourself the way that works best for you and the information you're trying to portray.