Internships and jobs
Gaining hands-on experience is an important part of any well-designed career development strategy whether you wind up applying to graduate school or not. Now is the time to explore options to determine if certain career paths are right for you. We highly suggest engaging in internships and other experiential opportunities to help you make an informed decision regarding your future career path.
You should focus on internships that will help you explore your areas of interest and broaden your experiences as a whole. Remember- graduate schools are looking for well-rounded candidates- every candidate should bring their unique qualifications when applying. Use internships and other experiential opportunities as tools to explore your interests while demonstrating your focus and determination.
>>Basic process and resources for finding an internship or job<<
1-Prioritize which industries and skills you are interested in exploring. You do not need to find something that is an exact match to the graduate programs you might want to apply to, but the role should be relevant to what you are interested in learning more about. Learn more about job titles HERE or through USC VMock Career Fit.
2-Seek out organizations you might want to work with.
- Research people in your potential industry of interest using Trojan Network and LinkedIn
- Network to find potential internships by email, LinkedIn, phone, informational interviews, etc. (click on links for networking tips!)
- Search by geographical area through platforms in Handshake(in the Resources section) including Hoovers, Career Shift, Your Next Step, Firsthand/Vault Guides, etc. Note: Alumni only have access to Career Shift and Your Next Step
3-Prepare tailored application materials (usually a resume and cover letter, maybe a curriculum vita) based on the skills required for the position. Ensure all applications are Applicant Tracking System friendly.
4-Apply to position and follow-up with organization within 3 business days if possible.
