JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Checklist for job hunting: 1 | 2-3 | 4-5

4. Internships

What is it?

  • Work related experiences which allow you to learn more about a job and career
  • Unique form of work experience: shared understanding (usually) between employer and intern as to the importance of the internship as a source of learning about a particular field.

Why do it?

  • Provides exceptional career exploration opportunities
  • A way to gain direct work experience
  • Enlarge your network
  • Get your foot in the door
  • Experience the relationship between theory and practice in a non-threatening way.
  • Benefit to employer: An internship is a "low-cost" way for your employer to evaluate you as a potential employee

How to do it?

  • Process of looking for an internship is similar to the traditional job search...treat it just as professionally
  • Use your networks, information interviews, and your mentors
  • Identify what you want and need from an internship
  • * What do you want to learn?
  • * What skills do you want to develop/utilize?
  • * What specific tasks would you not want to do?
  • * Do you absolutely need a paid internship?
  • Think about creating your own internship opportunities

* Requires some familiarity with an organization and its needs.

5. Volunteering/Community Service

What is it?

  • A position, unpaid and usually with a non-profit, that provides an opportunity to get involved with local issues and to meet individuals that could be possible mentors and sources of contacts for paid employment.

Why do it?

  • An opportunity to help others: intrinsic value
  • Flexibility
  • A respected way to gain experience and contacts
  • Provides exceptional career exploration opportunities
  • Enlarge your network
  • Get your foot in the door
  • Relieve stress associated with the job search
  • A way to obtain references
  • Benefit to volunteer organization: To numerous to list, but basically a way for them to meet their needs to serve the community, or a part of the community, by using dedicated and caring people

How to do it?

  • Contact the local volunteer bureau
  • Make an effort to go in for a face-to-face interview to arrange for your volunteer placement (rather than arranging it over the phone)
  • The local newspaper often lists volunteer opportunities
  • Be VERY clear about what you want to do and the amount of time you are able to commit.
  • It is easy to overcommit to a volunteer organization because the needs are so great
  • A volunteer position should be treated with the same respect and professionalism as paid employment

Some other key points for your job search:
ORGANIZATION is important
Keep records/files of your job search, both successes and challenges Possible items to include:

  • Classified ads/job descriptions
  • A calendar marking conferences, interviews, seminars, etc. that are pertinent to your job search
  • Cover letters/rejection letters
  • Notes/reflections on interviews
  • Recommendation letters
  • Try to have copies of specific letters that were written to recommend you for a particular job, as well as more general recommendation letters that could be used as a reference for any particular job.
  • Phone numbers, fax numbers, e-mail addresses of contacts
  • Make sure these are up-to-date, especially of those individuals who usually write letters of recommendation for you
  • Copies of school documents: transcripts, writing samples, list of courses, grades, etc.

Conclusion
You can apply the five career strategies in many different ways
* Use all or one; make it a part of a conscious job search strategy
PEOPLE are your greatest resource!
Again, your skills in organizational analysis, research, evaluation, writing, etc.
* are all applicable to the job search itself
You will use them over and over again in formulating your career network, focusing on an occupation, and finding a job.