Before entering the workforce, ma
ny college students participate in various internships that will help benefit them in their future. Here at Gustavus, we have had many students participate in internships, 75% of Gustavus students do take part in some engaged learning experience (Internships, Career Exploration, or Job Shadowing.) Julie Rudolf, a Career Development Specialist, and the Mentoring and Internship Program Director provided some insight and tips for students that they can use to help lock down these internships.
The number 1 tip for students and internships is to start sooner than you think. Finding internships is not always that easiest and could take some time. In order to speed this process up, have a resume ready. Almost every place you apply to will require a resume as part of an application. If you don’t have a resume the Career Development office can help you build one.
Internships are also a way you can gain academic credits. In order to do this, a student must be at least junior in standing, credit-wise, at the start of the term. If you can’t do one during the academic terms, there is also Career Explorations during Jterm. These are more of a job shadow but are very helpful in seeing what people do in their jobs, this option is open to Sophomores, Juniors, or Seniors.
Internships are great because they allow you to directly take what you learn in the classroom and apply it hands-on in a position. Even if you are not 100% sure of what you want to do, internships give you insight into positions and work fields that you won’t get from not doing them.
Gustavus is unique with internships because we have an Engaged-Learning Fund. Gustavus understands that some internships are unpaid or underpaid and this fund is a way to help students in this situation with mileage or other costs. For more information, click this link: https://gustavus.edu/career/EngagedLearningFund/
Internships are very beneficial to students and a great way to get introduced to work environments. Gustavus knows that finding internships can be stressful but there are many resources to help out students on campus. For any questions, reach out to Julie Rudolf, jarudolf@gustavus.edu, or stop by the Career Development Office! https://gustavus.edu/career/