With classes wrapping up and summer plans quickly approaching, several students at NC State are preparing to spend their summer overseas studying abroad or participating in an internship, job study, co-op or research.
With on-campus resources such as the Career Development Center and Study Abroad Office, students can receive advice and more information on options for students to better enhance their resumes and experience for future careers. Internships are the best way for students to get hands-on learning and work experience.
“I would recommend internships for students because, nowadays, employers not only look at grades as a factor, but they are also looking at students who have experience,” said D. R. Ingram Jr., the Career Development Center assistant director. “Internships give students the chance to develop those skills and to get that hands-on experience so that they can be effective in their full-time opportunities. I think it is a must regardless of your discipline and your major. I just think it is important to get some form of experiential learning. It makes students competitive upon graduation so they can begin to look for opportunities.”
Internships are not required for most colleges and degree programs, but they do open up opportunities for students to learn about what it is like to be in a job that is related to their studies while at NC State. Sam Collis, a second-year studying psychology, is excited to see what it is like to work in his prospective field.
“I am going to be working this year at Liberty Hardware Incorporated as a human resource intern,” Collis said. “I am hoping to gain some real-world experience within the field and will be doing real work whether that be training or hiring or updating safety protocol. So I am just hoping to get experience and actually figure out if I like the field as well as it being a resume builder.”
Study abroad is another way students can gain valuable experience by continuing their studies while learning new cultures. Learning overseas can also help students stand out to future employers with learning skills such as intercultural communication, adapting to new homes and society and personal growth from being outside of one’s comfort zone.
Around 20 percent of undergraduate students participate in study abroad while at NC State in locations such as Prague, Italy, China, Germany and others. Study abroad enrollments at NC State reached their all-time high in 2016-17 with 1,370 participants. Summer is also the most common time for students to study across the country’s borders.
No matter if students are preparing for an internship, work study or study abroad, students and advisors have words of advice for those getting ready to spend their summers or next semesters away from NC State.
“This is the beginning stages of their journey to their professional careers,” Ingram Jr. said. “I would also recommend that students carry themselves in a professional manner. They are being watched. This could possibly lead to a full-time position. It is important to be professional as far as their appearance is concerned and their communication skills whether it is verbal or written.”
Ingram Jr. also added that students should keep a record of their time in their programs as a way for not only the students to record memories, but also to share what they did as skills to put on a resume.
“I would also add that they should keep a journal,” Ingram Jr. said. “If students can document accomplishments, achievements and things like that. When it comes down to enhancing their resumes, they can transfer some of that information so that employers can see those accomplishments and skills. That can also be talked about in an interview or other situations.”
Students are encouraged to take full advantage of the advising and resources from on campus offices such as the Study Abroad Office and Career Development Center. It is an opportunity to experience life outside of the classroom, get a jump on a future career and to explore and have fun in a different environment.
“If the opportunity presents itself, yeah, students should consider doing a program while they are here at NC State,” Collis said. “It is good work and learning experiences. If you can do it, there is no reason to say no to having that kind of background going into the future.”
