Make Experiential Learning Your Summer Adventure
Reported By: Ellaynah Brown
Illustrated By: Sydney Simmons
While it might not seem like it, summer is just around the corner. Well, maybe not in the literal sense, but the deadlines for summer internships are closing in, and you should start applying–yesterday.
Summer internships, or opportunities for “experiential learning,” as the Director of the Career and Academic Planning Center (CAP) Logan Walton puts it, allow you to put into practice what you have learned in your field. These summer experiential learning opportunities enable students to gain experience in their field without having to simultaneously maintain a significant course load.
While finding an internship may be intimidating, there are many ways to navigate the search as a college student. Familiar platforms like Handshake, Indeed, and LinkedIn, are great options, but, as you may know, these require a lot of time and grit as you work to make yourself stand out in a sea of applicants.
Working in tandem with cold applications, Walton urges students to build their network. “The number one skill when it comes to professional development is networking,” Walton said. “The best ROI (return on investment) is networking your way into an internship.”
Networking can begin within your classes–talk to your professor and see who they can recommend you to. Next, try to meet business professionals in a career you aspire to be in. Attending career fairs can also be helpful.
A very large component of seeking out internships is landing an interview. Traditionally, in any application, you will be asked for a resumé and cover letter. These two documents will hopefully leave employers wanting to know more about how you can be an asset to their team. During the process of refining a resume, many fall victim to the idea that you don’t have enough experience that relates to your desired internship, but that’s not necessarily true.
When filling out your resume, consider the projects to which you have contributed, courses you have taken, and any employment, whether it pertains or not, and add them to your resume. Once you develop more experience, you’ll start to filter through what you include on your resumé, but for now, any experience that has developed important working skills is applicable.
Walton emphasizes the importance of being specific when discussing positions, responsibilities, and tasks performed. “Avoid assumed familiarity,” Walton said. If you’re able to use dynamic and descriptive language when communicating with employers, the transferable skills you have gained through your experiences will help set you apart from other applicants.
In addition to your experiences, employers want to know precisely what makes you unique. The cover letter gives you the opportunity to elaborate, going into detail about how your experiences make you the perfect candidate for the desired position. This document should be captivating and engaging, leaving the employer wanting to learn more about you in a follow-up interview.
What skills do you want to develop? What do you want to learn? Why do you want this specific opportunity? The answers to these questions can point you towards your “why.” This should be a motivator when applying for internships, as you seek out opportunities that will fulfill you. This will help you have more fruitful and meaningful conversations as you go through the networking and interviewing process.
Lastly, know that you have resources and people right here on campus that want to help you. You can get help writing a cover letter, formatting a resume, and practicing for an interview by visiting the CAP Center. You may even be able to talk to people who will connect you with their network. No opportunity is out of reach when put in the effort and seek out helpful resources.
Visit the CAP center and schedule an appointment on their website.