Working on Campus

Working on Campus Hey guys, Recently I accepted a position as a writing intern for one of the organizations on the Engineering Quad, and so far it has been an a very eye-opening and enriching experience in my short time there. Already I have learned so much, so in light of that, Id like  to impart some knowledge on what its like applying for internships, interviewing for them, and hopefully getting them. If youve been following me from way back in the beginning of the semester, youll recall me blogging about the importance of utilizing the Career Center for applications, resumes, cover letters, and career fairs. Well fortunately, all that talk wasnt just hot air coming from me. With the implementation  of the tips I mentioned in that blog, I was able to land an internship! The process to getting said internship, however, dealt with more than simply handing over my resume and giving a bright smile. From that point on, I had rely on my own skills to secure the position. The first thing I would advise is to have an elevator pitch ready. An elevator pitch is a 30- to 45-second speech on why you believe you are the best fit for whatever organization you are applying to. In this speech, youll want to touch on all of your experiences, whether they are classes, other jobs/internships, or volunteer work. Explain to the employer why you will make the company better through your efforts. (Found on http://www.upbuild.io/blog/why-we-vote-on-potential-clients/) Dress to impress. If you are showing up to an interview setting, its okay to come in a collared shirt, but as my dad used to tell me, Its better to have and not need, than to need and not have. Sure, you may think dressing in a full suit might be overkill for a campus/university position, but in actuality it demonstrates your dedication and your preparation for any situation. Employers will appreciate the added effort. Now if you are fortunate to have been hired for  whatever position you were applying for, make sure to show up early. If youre right on time, youre actually late, especially on the first few weeks on the job. Make sure you clock out when expected to as well. You want to leave a good impression on every position you hold, because one day you might need a recommendation or a reference from a former employer, and you dont want to have a bad reputation. This can  impede your opportunities for advancement in your career. I hope all of this was helpful. Good luck in all of your endeavors, guys. Until next time, Kenny Kenny Class of 2016 I’m in the Creative Writing program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. I’m originally from Tampa, Florida, but I’ve been calling Illinois my home since 1998. I’ve lived all over the Northwest suburbs, from Palatine to Lakemoor to where I currently live back home, Mundelein. Working on Campus By mid-November of my freshman year, I began to get antsy. I had been working and playing sports all through high school, and weekends without a babysitting gig began to grow long. Without a form of income at school, I winced every time I checked my bank account, as it slowly decreased. My summer savings were withering away, and I knew a job was exactly what I needed. Job searching is not easy for many reasons. For me, the hardest part was finding a job that I really wanted when I was so desperate. I applied to nearly every restaurant on Green Street, with no experience in the food industry; I applied to clothing stores,  with no experience in retail. At last, I realized that I needed to search in fields that really interested me. Gif from Giphy.com With much thought, I narrowed down my favorite hobby: real estate. I then focused on applying to various real estate agencies on campus and landed a job with JSM Living. I have been with JSM since winter break, and have nothing but great things to say. Working at JSM has improved my time management skills, my people skills, and my organization in my daily life. Gif from Giphy.com I highly recommend getting a job on campus and making sure that job is something you truly enjoy. It is never too early to start job hunting and believe me, your bank accounts and your parents credit card will thank you. Rachel Class of 2020 I am studying Middle Grades Education with concentrations in Social Sciences and Literacy in the College of Education. Although I now reside in Champaign, I am originally from Vernon Hills, a Northwest suburb of Chicago.