Get Additional Support

There are many options out there for students looking to acquire scholarships for college. Here are some sources that can be used to find scholarships:

• The financial aid office at any college or university
• High school or TRIO counselor
• U.S. Department of Labor’s FREE scholarship search tool
• Federal Agencies
• U.S. Department of Education NY State Agencies
• Library reference section
• Foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses, civic groups
• Organizations (including professional associations) related to a student’s field of interest
• Ethnicity-based organizations
• A student’s employer or their parents’ employers
• Fast Web
• Niche
• Education Connection
• CareerOneStop
• Capex

Find an Internship

Though internships are only considered a requirement for certain positions and industries, they are beneficial in virtually every field and can be a great way to create an impressive resume that stands out among other candidates as you enter the job market. Here are some tips for how to find an internship.

Prepare Application Materials

Students should take some time to develop a resume and cover letter that highlight their experience, education and skills. Depending on the field they’re entering, it might be helpful to also create an online portfolio that showcases their work. Additionally, they should create a professional social media profile and evaluate their personal accounts so that they can delete any inappropriate images or verbiage.

Network and Attend Career Fairs

This is a great first step, and students probably hear it almost systematically since their first day on campus. Before students start networking, they should have their 30-second elevator pitch ready. A first impression goes a long way when a potential employer now has their phone number or email. Students should print several resumes and attend an on-campus career fair. Employers like to visit campuses to find talented students. Some even offer interviews on the spot!

Get help from career services

Most colleges have a career services center where students can get guidance about their resume and even find internship opportunities. Utilizing this resource can help students locate a great internship and improve their chances of getting hired.

Explore Internship Opportunities

Students can usually find internships using a number of methods. They should start by speaking with professors, peers, coworkers, family members, friends and alumni about potential opportunities that meet their interests. Additionally, if a student knows of a company or companies that they’d like to intern with, they can contact them directly and express interest. Students can also search for internships using databases like handshake, indeed, or the career services websites of the college or university they are attending.

Be Confident

At the risk of ending on a clichéd note, it’s important to exude confidence. A behavior often synonymous with decision-making, assertion, maturity, and confidence is coveted and highly valuable to employers everywhere.