By Tate M. Slaven
Staff Writer
As the end of the semester nears, Bonaventure students not only long for sunny weather and a break from the books, but also internship and job opportunities to help prepare themselves for their futures.
The Career and Professional Readiness Center (CPRC) is a place where students can go get the help they need in order to succeed after graduation. Whether it be putting together a resume, landing a summer internship or preparing for a career, the CPRC is there for you.
Pamela Burdick, the CPRC’s employer relations coordinator, explained the center’s top five tips for securing a job or internship. Burdick realizes that the search for such openings is not easy, and ensures that CPRC’s mission is to help students succeed in finding the opportunities they are looking for.
Although the list could go on forever, there are certain tips that take precedence and can really help secure a position for students. Burdick said a solid résumé tops the chart.
“Number one is definitely getting your résumé ready,” Burdick said. “There are different tips and tricks that we know about résumés that are more aesthetically pleasing for the profession a student is applying for. Before you apply to anything, you need to make sure you have a quality résumé.”
The list continues with networking. Burdick explained when searching for a career path, more often than not, it’s all about who you know and how you connect with people.
“Students sometimes miss the power of networking,” Burdick said. “Being a Bonaventure student allows for such a powerful network and students need to tap into that. It is so important to make connections with people in the field you’re interested in.”
Networking leads to the third tip, which is a student’s ‘elevator pitch.’ An elevator pitch is the ability to sell yourself, or the ability to get your brand out there, according to Burdick.
“This is the way students put themselves out there; it’s a first impression,” Burdick said. “When you walk up to a professional you have five to 10 seconds to sell yourself, and they have to connect with you. It is a professional way to basically say ‘I need help, how can you help me?’”
Number four is to produce a dynamic cover letter. A cover letter is a document submitted alongside a résumé that explains an applicant’s qualifications and interest in the opening.
“The cover letter needs to not only be well-written, but also needs to relate to the company in which the student is applying to,” Burdick said. “It also needs to speak about who you are, and what you are interested in; it needs to be dynamic and make you stand out professionally.”
Last but not least is to make sure when searching, look at multiple platforms and resources. It is important to search everywhere and anywhere, visit sites such as LinkedIn and College Central, and go to company websites and see what they have to offer.
“You just have to dig,” Burdick insisted. “The search isn’t easy, and you don’t want to limit yourself and only apply to one opportunity and think that is enough. Apply to 20 openings rather than four. You want to give yourself the chance to say ‘no.’ It’s great to have options.”
During this time of year, students should keep searching for opportunities and keep their heads up. Rejection can be hard, but if students follow these tips, put themselves out there and go the extra mile, they’ll show why they deserve the position, Burdick said.
“That extra step can really make the difference whether you’re put in the maybe pile or the yes pile,” Burdick concluded.
