Career Advisor Jennifer Coombs speaks with student Eric Snow at the Careers Services Centre at Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS, February 19, 2010.PAUL DARROW
Three tips for launchpad internships.
Get involved: Conferences, associations, case competitions, non-profits, intramurals, and community events all provide great experience and the chance to build new relationships. Finding an internship is about individuals, their interests and their ambitions, and they should be encouraged to get involved in the activities they're most passionate about.
Get exposure: With hundreds of resumes, it is often difficult to stand out. Attending employer events is a great first step to gain exposure to a company before students submit their resume. By building an online presence using tools such as Twitter or LinkedIn, students can connect with industry leaders to start building a name for themselves or even set up coffee meetings. This will ensure your resume is at the top of the pile.
Get experience: Unpaid and volunteer experience is often the most rewarding. Look for internship experience in fields of interest and do not be afraid to volunteer: it's definitely a long-term investment for landing your next big gig. Start-up companies are also a great place where passionate, ambitious, and hard-working interns are always received with open arms and arguably provide some of the most meaningful learning experiences.
Special to The Globe and Mail