What’s your dream job? You know, that idea that sits in the back of your head while you’re in class trying not to doze off. Why am I here again? Oh yeah, I want to be CEO, or a surgeon, or famous. Maybe you want to make a difference in this world, or maybe you want to make a million dollars. Cliché as it is, we are literally in the best place to pursue our wildest dreams so why not start right now.
So imagine your dream job and now take it down a few notches. Where could you get your foot in the door? What connections do you have? None? That’s OK because out of the hundreds of thousands of UNC-CH alumni, someone probably does.
Just as people around this campus are fairly friendly, holding doors and whatnot, most alumni want to help their fellow Tar Heels, and they are an extremely useful tool for job and internship searches. From the day you step foot on this campus, you’re immediately proud to be Tar Heel. How can you not be? And alumni want to help younger generations continue the great reputation this school has. You can check them out at http://careers.unc.edu/resources/careerolina.html
It’s coming down to the wire for summer internship applications. If the deadline has not already passed, it is coming soon and resumes and cover letters need to be finalized and in the mail. Details like recommendation letters or transcripts need to be acquired and envelopes addressed.
University Career Services is an amazing resource that people don’t take advantage of enough. On the second floor of Hanes Hall (not to be confused with the art building) there is a library dedicated to the sole purpose of finding you a job! There are binders full of contacts and companies sorted by location, major or field. They have bookcases full of tips on how to ace an interview, how to write a great cover letter and how to search for the internship you want.
Careerolina is the featured database to search for jobs that are offered by alumni and other employers who know how qualified UNC students are. Anyone can upload their resume, search internships or full-time jobs by different fields and send employers their information.
UCS hosts networking nights and information sessions often and is holding an internship fair on January 27, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Union. This is a great opportunity to meet with local and nationwide businesses. Bring several copies of your resume and dress to impress.
It’s a good idea to apply to a variety of internships at different levels because you never know who might accept you; UCS suggests 15 to 25 different internships. To be safe you might want to apply to 10 jobs you think you have a good chance in getting and are exactly the location you are planning on living. Then apply to five jobs that are slightly harder to get, and three that are the internships of your dreams.
After all, Confucius said it best, “Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
Credits:
Photo 1 – http://www.governor.state.tx.us/music/about/fellowship
Photo 2 – http://www.ubalt.edu/template.cfm?page=2694