Internships key to post-graduation success
In this competitive job market, college graduates who have completed one or more internships are more competitive than graduates who haven't interned. From the potential employer's perspective, graduates who provide evidence that they have succeeded in a professional setting are attractive candidates. This is because, in addition to the knowledge acquired through a students' academic program, employers also desire our graduates to have professional skills and attitudes that will enable the graduate, as a new employee, to succeed and thrive in the employer's organization. For the graduating senior, not only does an internship make their resume more competitive, but it also gives them plenty to talk about during the job interview. Even though there are numerous benefits of participating in an internship, a large number of our students choose not to participate. In an effort to increase student participation, Career and Leadership Development has implemented a number of initiatives to make students both aware of internship opportunities and coaches students on how to locate and secure an internship. Below is a summary of our assistance to students:
- Locate internships - we offer students advice on internship searches through our database of employers.
- Resume preparation - we help students prepare their resumes to make sure their application is competitive.
- Interview skills - we offer practice interviews and coach students how to successfully interview for the internship.
- Internship Web site - we have a website with helpful internship information for students. We encourage parents to visit the site at www.uww.edu/internships
- Internship blog - we offer an internship blog (www.blogs.www.uww.edu/internships) providing students with up-to-date information on internships.
- Hawk Internship Program - we've developed a local internship program to provide students with connections to employers in Jefferson, Rock and Walworth counties. These are great first-time internships for students in all majors. Thirty internship opportunities in seven communities in our immediate area have been developed to date. More information is available on-line at www.uww.edu/internships/hip/
- Disney College Program - UW-Whitewater participates in the Disney College Program, which provides internships for approximately 9,000 students from across the county annually. Each year about 15-20 UW-Whitewater students are accepted to serve a three-month internship at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. This is a very good career development experience for participating students. More information may be found at uww.edu/internships/disney/
We encourage you to talk with your son or daughter to participate in an internship during their college career. There are many benefits that will help your student more successfully compete in the job search process once they graduate. For more information contact either: Laura Jacobs, Internship Coordinator (MorrowL@uww.edu), or Ron Buchholz, Director (BuchholR@uww.edu).
