Are you looking to learn more about a potential career field? Needing to network in order to land a job? Wanting to replenish your resume experience? Look no further than the Internship Hiring Fair at 11 a.m. in the breezeway on Fri., Sept. 27, hosted by Concordia’s Center for Career and Vocation in partnership with the School of Business. 

“College is a great time to career shop, and internships help students figure out what careers they might want to pursue further or help them change direction before they graduate,” said Kellie Playter, Associate Professor & Internship Director with the School of Business & Economics. “Research shows that students who complete internships are more likely to get better and higher paying jobs right out of college. This applies to most, if not all, majors.”

“I think every student, regardless of major, should participate in an internship at some point in their time in college,” said Mariah Lucas, Director of Career Development & Vocation. “It is a vital experience to test out a future career path with built in protections and guided learning. Not every internship is created equally though. A benefit of attending the Internship Hiring Expo, is that we have reviewed the employers coming and believe they can offer a quality learning experience.”

“Every internship looks a little different. Some companies hire almost a year out for internship positions and some only take a few weeks,” said Playter. “I always encourage students to build a really strong resume, get feedback on it, and submit a cover letter even if it is optional.”

“An internship is not just a part-time job, it is an intentional learning opportunity where students get to take classroom knowledge and apply it in the real world,” said Lucas. “Many of our employers are asking what internships students are doing in order to gauge how prepared our students are to enter into the workforce.”

Playter recommends that students intending to take advantage of the resources at the Internship Hiring Fair should dress professionally, bring several printed copies of their up-to-date resume, and be prepared to talk about their career goals.  “Even if students are unsure of where they want to work after graduation, this is a great opportunity to start asking employers questions about what they are looking for, when they should be applying for internships and job opportunities, and just to build connections.”

“Apply to multiple internships, and do not be afraid to follow up or reach out to people at the company directly,” encouraged Playter. "Do not be afraid to ask your professors, teammates, friends and family if they know of any internship opportunities. Networking is still key!”

For further resources regarding resumes, professionalism or career goals, visit the Center for Career and Vocation in the top floor of the Schroeder Library. For questions about the internship hiring fair, contact Mariah Lucas at mariah.lucas@cui.edu or Kellie Playter at kellie.playter@cui.edu.

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