The introduction to “State of College Hiring 2015,” opens with a statement that we at Indiana INTERNnet find to be absolute truth.
“Internships help students develop experience, better understand their careers and increase future job prospects and salaries.”
Looksharp surveyed more than 50,000 college students and recent graduates to find trends among work-and-learn experiences. Part of the study’s purpose was to show college students how to set themselves apart from the competition.
To get the “edge” in the job market, Looksharp found that multiple internships, high GPA and online career profiles help increase the chances of graduates landing the right job for them after college. From a personal perspective, I’m hoping these findings prove to be true.
As an intern at Indiana INTERNnet, I’ve been immersed in social media, a key component of many communication jobs. As my internship here creeps closer to its conclusion, I know I’m not a social media wizard, but I am certain the time spent working on social media campaigns has provided a solid foundation from which to grow.
Another experience gained may well lead me to my calling. I’ve known since my days as a newspaper reporter covering United Way’s annual campaign that nonprofits serve a vital role in communities across the country. Their missions make the world a better place. Instead of donating to various causes randomly, following graduation may be the time I contribute in greater ways by putting recently acquired communication skills to use for the greater good. I’ve seen how a nonprofit functions from behind the scenes, and the employees’ passion is inspiring.
The Looksharp study found that about 80% of the survey respondents had an online career profile on sites such as LinkedIn. This indicates the importance of having an organized and detailed presence. To up my chances of landing a great job after graduation, my online profiles need a makeover. This is according to numerous best practices articles I’ve read recently. The upcoming winter break will be a perfect time to properly present myself.
As for job prospects, I will begin my search for full-time employment in late February/early March. With a bit of good fortune combined with the valuable experiences from multiple internships, I will be gainfully employed full-time in the field of communications starting in May. I know the job market is tough, even with a college degree. That’s why if faced with repeated rejection, I will try to keep in mind what a wise family member often says: “Everything happens for a reason.”
