Engaging in an internship while going to college is an excellent way to begin to apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom. However, depending on the industry, the demand for internship opportunities may exceed the supply being offered by companies or industry partners. Which is why it is important to think outside of the box to build experience and gain exposure in your field of choice, develop additional skills, or learn new technologies while going to college.
Find Traditional Internships
Searching for internships generally follows the same path as full-time employment. You will want to find an open position posted on a job board, update or create your resume, apply for the position, and then hopefully gain an interview to further discuss the role. To search for internships within CareerQuest, check out Handshake, Specialized Job Boards, or Job Listings for potential internship opportunities.
Outside of CareerQuest, sites like LinkedIn and Indeed are useful to search for internship opportunities using keywords of “Intern” or “Internship.” Also, an often-untapped resource for internships is with the federal government.
Get Connected and Be Open to Learning
Internship experiences can be found through a variety of different avenues. It’s essential to be open to learning from others by joining student groups or professional associations that are affiliated with your major or your chosen profession. If you do not have the time or flexibility to engage in an internship, there are still very valuable ways to demonstrate your skills and elevate your professional experience.
If you are unsure about a specific industry, attending events like webinars and career fairs hosted by UMGC Career Services can provide multiple opportunities to build your network and hear from partnership employers. Connect with UMGC alumni to see what career pathways they chose. Networking with people who are like-minded or are in the industry you desire as your career is a fabulous way to increase your knowledge, build your network, and possibly get the inside scoop on internship or apprentice opportunities.
Try Forage
Another way to gain exposure and experience to break into an industry is to take advantage of the Forage platform. Forage experiences do not require you to interview first and are available 24/7 within CareerQuest. Forage offers real-world work simulations where you can apply the knowledge and skills you gained in the classroom to work through and solve various scenarios. These real-world work experiences can then be put on your resume.
Create a Portfolio
Engaging in an internship, whether it is paid or not, is a beneficial way to give you a jump start on starting your career after you graduate from college. However, if you already know how to do something, or if you have taught yourself something, then show us! If you’ve developed digital media, or built a website, or have a specific class project that you are excited about, it is important to share the information by creating a portfolio and adding the link to your resume or on your LinkedIn profile.
Volunteer
Volunteering in your community in any capacity provides content that you can add to your resume. If you are good at sports, consider being a coach for a little league or junior sports team within your community. Or read to children at the local library or teach art classes to senior citizens at the community center. Perhaps there is an organization or a cause that you already support that needs someone to help organize an event. Moreover, engaging in volunteer work is an admirable way to gain experience and connect with people because you are giving of your time, plus it makes you feel good.
Seek Out Certifications & Freelance Opportunities
InternPLUS, within CareerQuest, is filled with many resources to help you find ways to gain experience outside of the classroom. Whether you are searching for your first job or seeking to advance in your career, pursuing industry certifications and freelance opportunities are a productive way to demonstrate to hiring managers that you are serious about contributing to an industry. Ask your professors what professional certifications are associated with your major or utilize SteppingBlocks to learn about different career pathways, certifications, and majors from fellow UMGC students and alumni.
Raelynn F. Grasso is a Career Advising Specialist at the University of Maryland Global Campus and Adjunct Psychology Professor. She has experience leading and providing individual, group, and career counseling, as well as executing and developing programs to enhance college student enrichment. Ms. Grasso’s areas of research include career decision-making, epistemic cognition, self-efficacy, and college student development. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Utah, an M.S. in Education Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, both from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
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