| Advice on Finding a Job/Internship | |
The Washington University Career Center and the Weston Career Center offer a number of services for students, including an internship and job-offer database (CareerLink), along with training in the skills students need to be competitive, like interviewing and cover-letter/resume-writing. There is also a massive Career Fair in the Athletic Center twice a year featuring big-name companies like Deloitte and Boeing. While students often complain about their inability to land big-name internships on the East and West Coast, local newspapers, law firms, businesses, and entertainment organizations are eager to hire Washington University students . It is just a matter of presenting yourself well and asking. There are also numerous jobs to be found on campus, from challenging research positions with prestigious professors to lifeguarding at the athletic complex pool. The commercial area of the Loop also offers employment opportunities in its numerous restaurants and stores. Inquire with store managers about work opportunities at some of the cooler stores like Vintage Vinyl or Plowsharing Crafts. Between the Career Fair, campus opportunities, and the huge CareerLink database, you are bound to find something. Don’t expect too much help from people in the Career Centers, but utilize CareerLink as much as possible. It draws from numerous national databases and can turn you onto interesting opportunities. Still, to land the best internships, contact the companies directly. Also, be proactive and look for jobs outside of campus career resources. Look, for example, at Monster.com, or local newspapers and magazines.
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