The sun is shining, and the warmth of summer is just around the corner. As students reflect on their experiences finding internships and utilizing career resources at the University of Minnesota, it’s clear that the journey to landing a summer job or internship can be challenging. To overcome these challenges, the University offers tailored career centers for students across different colleges, each providing support with finding internships, networking, interviews, and resumes. **Career Center Resources**
• The University’s career centers cater to students from various colleges, providing a range of services to aid in their career development. • Each center offers resources tailored to the specific needs of students within that college. • Utilizing these resources can be crucial for students who require assistance with internship or job interviews. Katie Razink, director of undergraduate career development at the Carlson School of Management, emphasized the importance of leveraging these resources. “If you’re making it to the interviews but not getting further, utilize those resume resources,” she said. “Come in for a practice interview, or utilize interviewing.com, which you can access through Handshake.”
Applying for Summer Internships
Audrey Ronan, a fourth-year student studying psychology with minors in health services management and Spanish, began applying for summer internships in November. She submitted a total of 47 applications, but unfortunately, was rejected from 26 and received no response from around half of the remaining applicants. “I think that’s a growing trend too,” Ronan said, “A lot of companies just won’t even respond to you, which is why I knew I had to cast a broad net and start submitting applications early.”
The Importance of Finding the Right Fit
Ronan’s persistence paid off when she landed an internship at Blue Cross, Blue Shield Minnesota, where she secured a role in health administration. The internship is flexible with her degree, offering a wider range of possibilities and giving her a broader scope to explore her interests. For many students, narrowing down the job search can be a challenge. Razink advised that applying to jobs that truly interest you is crucial for achieving better results. “For instance, if you’re interested in marketing, instead of searching for’marketing internship,’ search for digital marketing or social media marketing internship,” she said. “Getting as specific as you can based on the types of positions you’re interested in will yield better results.”
Navigating the Job Search: Networking and Connections
Lukas Perdekamp, a second-year student studying economics, discovered the value of connections during his internship search. Although he admitted that networking wasn’t his favorite activity, he acknowledged that it can be effective. When looking for jobs in the fall, Perdekamp attended a networking event where he met a recruiter and applied for the job while maintaining contact with her. This initiative paid off, as he received an interview and was assured that the recruiter would have dropped him if he hadn’t reached out. Razink emphasized that networking is essential not only for securing summer internships but also for future career searches after college or for postgraduate opportunities. “Doing that, again back to that bigger picture, you’re building a network for a future search,” she said. “You have an established connection in that space.”
Key Takeaways
• Consistency and applying to jobs that genuinely interest you can lead to better results. • Being specific in your job search can significantly improve your chances of success. • Networking and building connections can be crucial for securing summer internships and future career opportunities.
- Utilize the resources provided by the career centers across different colleges.
- Be specific in your job search to increase your chances of success.
- Network and build connections to enhance your job search and future career prospects.
| Expert Insights | Katie Razink, Director of Undergraduate Career Development at the Carlson School of Management |
| Utilize resume resources and practice interviews to improve your chances. | “If you’re making it to the interviews but not getting further, utilize those resume resources, come in for a practice interview, or utilize interviewing.com, which you can access through Handshake.” |
Real-Life Examples
Audrey Ronan’s experience is a testament to the importance of persistence and adaptability in the job search process. Her initial 47 applications led to a successful internship at Blue Cross, Blue Shield Minnesota.
Quote from Audrey Ronan
“When I applied to the internship, I thought I had a pretty good chance of getting it, but I knew I needed to cast a broad net and start submitting applications early. I think that’s a growing trend too, that a lot of companies just won’t even respond to you, which is why I knew I had to do that.”
Final Thoughts
As students look forward to the summer months, it’s essential to remember that securing a summer internship requires effort, persistence, and the right resources. By leveraging the career centers, being specific in your job search, and networking, students can increase their chances of success.
