Five tips for current college students
By Julexus Cappell
The right scholarship can make the difference in easing the financial burden of tuition and the right internship fills major requirements with real-world experience, but how do we go about actually securing these opportunities? There are the obvious acts of keeping your grades up, having extracurricular activities, etc. Here are five tips you can use to supplement your chances of obtaining your desired internship or scholarship, no matter your field.
1. Keep your transcript and departmental connections strong.
We’ve all had a class or two that made us say “C’s get degrees” and shrug in defeat, but maintaining a higher GPA does more than look pretty on a resume. Students in their college/university honors program (typically 3.0+ GPA) are usually the first to see scholarship and internship opportunities available. Involvement in an honors program also offers support of advisors, but they are not the only ones on campus. Having a good relationship with your academic advisor is also a way of staying up to date with scholarships and internships based on your academic interests.
2. Always do an online search and check your campus email!.
Websites like www.fastweb.com are useful for a list of various scholarships and internships available nationally, but a good tip to narrowing down your search would be to start on your college or university’s site. Looking directly under your department’s page can lead you to little-known possibilities within your major. Another way to catch the latest scholarship and internship applications are to regularly check and use your university email. Opportunities based on classification and major give students the chance to work with companies and organizations in their prospective fields, so it’s best to stay on top of what your institution offers, essentially. Also, when sending in academic or professional applications use your student email to ensure that your information makes it to the correct destination, rather than being tossed into junk mail because of a username you made in the eighth grade.
3. Have all the right materials: resume, business cards, and website portfolio, if necessary.
At times, this is the difference between being remembered or not. Most campus job and internship recruiting events require you to bring a set number of resumes to give to employers; however, going the extra step of having business cards shows initiative and lands you a better chance of being contacted. For those seeking positions in areas like design, photography and writing, consider having a web page designated to your work. This makes your abilities more accessible to employers and could be easier than maintaining a folder/binder of papers.
4. Take any opportunity possible to network.
No matter your major, there are always ways to meet others in (or also studying) your profession. Events like career fairs and major symposiums are the perfect occasion to talk with professionals about what you can offer them as an intern. These business leaders come to campuses in search of students, like you, who can be the next generation of CEOs, teachers, engineers, and more. Show up to see how you can put yourself in the best position to have employment after graduation–the ultimate goal. It is also key to network with other students.
5. Try out all of your local resources.
When looking for a scholarship or field experience, consider all options. If you work part time, check into your employer’s scholarship or tuition reimbursement programs. Starbucks, Chipotle, Walmart, Amazon and Publix (to name a few) are all companies that offer money back on tuition, generally based on the amount of time employed there. Finding an internship can be as simple as inquiring at local businesses related to your field, especially as a freshman or sophomore. Spending your first summer assisting at a local place dedicated to your prospective career is a great way to “stick out” to possible employers and internships in your junior and senior years.
