By: Student Reporter
Students work internships because they want jobs, college career counselors advise.
Toward the goal of landing an internship, a student-focused panel, Internship Tips from Fulbright Students, is scheduled to take place at 5 p.m., Oct. 30 in 512 of the Arkansas Union.
“It’s vital for students to prepare for jobs and they should spend a lot of time connecting with professionals in the area,” said Erica Estes, director of Employer Relations at the Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences.
“It’s not enough to just upload an application and resume. Getting connected is key. That’s where the magic happens,” she said. “Students should spend 60 percent of their time connecting, 30 percent should be researching and 10 applying.”
The panel will feature six Fulbright College students – representating math, journalism, international studies, political science, music, social work and biology. They have been asked to give their peers the inside scoop about how they found their internships, describe the application process and discuss their internships.
Math major Nicole Norman completed an internship with Anheuser-Busch in Portland, Oregon. Molly Feigle completed a journalism internship with Universal Pictures in Rogers. Maya Ungar, an international studies major, has worked internships at The Washington Center, Churches for the Middle East and the Peace Corps.
Emma Kromer, a political science and music major who worked internships with the Faulkner Performing Arts Center, Fulbright College Advising Center, and the Washington County Planning Office. Aja Pence, a social work student, completed an internship with Potter’s House through the United Way and Tyson Community Summer Internship Program.
“Plan your internship right, get tips from your peers,” Estes said.
History professor Alessandro Brogi, who is director of Undergraduate Studies, will moderate the panel.
Some students get help outside the university.
“For me, my mom actually found the internship, but it was great as I want to work in the medical field and this position gave me great exposure. It sealed my passion for medicine and gave me knowledge how to work in a clinical setting,” biology major Johnson said.
Students can find more info about the event on the Handshake website.
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions about things you do not know,” she said. “Your bosses are not expecting you to know everything, but they do expect you be active in acquiring information you do not know.
“Be professional. Our generation has a reputation for not having certain aspects of professionalism, such as proper dress, email etiquette and being on time to work,” Johnson said.