Although that is the majority, some college students are actually at work, and I don’t just mean typing up a paper or researching for class work. Virtual internships are a thing of the present, and although online colleges seem a bit sketchy, online internships can yield some real resume building experience.
Personally, out of the seven publications I have written for, only two were honest to goodness in-person jobs, and only one was in a typical 9-5 format (although it was really 9-6pm with a half hour lunch break).
Although working in your pajamas seems like a dream come true, and sometimes is, getting dressed and going out in public to work can make a great difference to your motivation and quality of work. I’m not going to lie though, making deadline in my workout clothes while on the deck at my grandmother’s house with iced tea and cookies in hand is a dream come true…
As a journalism major, gaining writing experience online is an option. Education majors might not find as much luck gaining virtual internships, but knowing how to find internships online is key.
Check out the Top 10 Internship Ready Majors provided by Internships.com.
Speaking of that site, five out of the seven writing opportunities I have had were from internships.com. The steps to finding an internship are easy. Make a profile. Upload your resume. Copy and paste your cover letter. Search and apply. Just be sure to tweak your CV for employers aka customize it with their company name and highlight one specific reason why you think you’re cut out for their position. Then it’s all a waiting game.
Gaining experience can be nerve racking, but the more things you apply to, the better your chances of hearing back. Don’t leave any pebble unturned.
One thing I realized the hard way is to be sure to research or read up about the company before applying and accepting. I knew a bit of what I was getting into with one job I had, but I quickly realized it was not for me. This situation can be prevented if you do your research beforehand.
There are tons of quality websites to find internships and entry-level jobs that are major specific. As a soon-to-be college graduate, I’m reluctant to sharing all of the websites I use as a journalism major (since the field is so tough right now), but as soon as I nail something down for myself I’ll share some specifics!
Good luck and happy hunting.