As the semester begins to come to a close, many students are deciding how they want to spend their summer months. While some students will enroll in summer courses to get ahead on their educational credits, your student may also be considering getting a summer internship or job. Both internships and summer jobs can be helpful in providing valuable experiences and may also aid in creating additional revenue to help with educational expenses in the fall.
Wilma Williams, director of the SAU Employment Resource Center, offers five tips for helping your student prepare to apply for summer internships or jobs.
- Encourage your student to prepare a resume that includes an objective and sections for information on education, skills, work experience, honors/activities, and references.
- Research companies/businesses/agencies located in the preferred geographic area or within driving distance of home. Check websites for summer job and internship listings. The local chamber of commerce is also a good resource for this information.
- Prepare a letter of interest that describes the position the student desires, the qualifications the student possesses, and the request for an interview.
- Mail the resume and letter of interest to the organizations that have been selected or apply online for the positions. The student can also dress above casual attire and make a personal visit to leave a resume for consideration.
- Help your student practice answering interview questions such as:
- Tell me about yourself? Why do you want to work here?
- What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
- Describe the skills you have that will help you to be successful in this job.
Additional resources are also available to your student in the Employment Resource Center (ERC). Students may visit this office to receive samples or help editing their resumes and cover letters. Many businesses and on-campus employers also post employment opportunities with this office, and your student may browse these announcements on Mondays – Fridays during the hours of 8:00 am – 5:00 pm or online. As your student approaches graduation, the ERC can provide assistance in preparing a credential file, marketing your student’s skills and assets to prospective employers, and even interviewing with various employers on the SAU campus.
To seek assistance from the Employment Resource Center, your student may come by the office at 217 Reynolds during normal business hours or contact the office staff at (870)235-4097.