Employers are now expecting students to graduate and already have experience. Most students will then say, "How can I get experience if you won't hire me?" The answer to this Catch-22 is INTERNSHIPS!! An internship, or two, while in college shows not only that you're interested in your career path by going the extra mile to gain relevant experience, but it also demonstrates to employers that you are committed to your career, a hard worker, and a multi-tasker. Plus, when employers see candidates with experience versus candidates without experience, who do you think they will pick?
It's a competitive job market right now with national unemployment reaching 6.5% and Indiana unemployment reaching 6.4%, the highest rates in 16 years! Schmitt & Baker (1), researched recession periods in America and predict that it will only get worse before it gets better. According to their assessments we fall in the Severe Projected Recession category with a prediction of national unemployment reaching 8.4% in 2011. "What are you saying Karen?!" I'm saying that you need to do everything you can now, to prevent yourself from falling in that unemployment statistic in the future.
Now that I have your attention and your heart is racing with anxiety, let me put it at ease with some comforting options and truths about gaining relevant experience before you graduate.
- TRUTH: Co-ops (Cooperative Education experiences) are always paid and are renewable. They are also one way to gain relevant experience within your major. Check with your academic department if this is an option for your major.
- TRUTH: A lot of internships are already paid. Employers base the pay for interns on their budget and most will offer some type of compensation for students. If the internship description does not specifically mention that it's paid, you can always inquire about your options AFTER the company offers you the internship. Check out ways to negotiate your salary for some good tips. You can find books on these and there is a section in our career guide about it as well.
- TRUTH: You can turn your current volunteer experience into a great internship. Many places that work with volunteers are in a constant need for help and if you only ask what more you can do, then more could be granted. I highly suggest preparing your "pitch" with examples of what you can do to help that also matches your major. Remind the organization that you are being trained in this particular major and if you could keep your current hours, or add a couple on to sweeten the deal, then they can only gain from this opportunity.
- TRUTH: Ask for more responsibilities at your current part-time job and gain relevant experience. If applicable... Some jobs may not have this option for you but if you are working a part-time job now and are interested in gaining more experience, then ask your supervisor for more responsibilities and turn this job into something more.
- TRUTH: Job Shadowing is another viable option. You have the opportunity to learn about the company and know if you would be a good fit within the certain position you shadow. This is also a great way to network and "get your foot in the door" at an organization/company in which you're interested. You only have to give up a couple hours out of one day to do job shadowing, a great option for busy students.
1. Schmitt, J. and Baker, D., What We’re In For: Projected Economic Impact of the Next Recession, Center for Economic and Policy Research, January 2008.
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