4 answers
4
Asked 232 views

How do I go about applying for internships when I still don't really know what I want to do for a career after college #Fall24?

I'm still pretty lost about what I want to do postgrad and it feels like a lot of internships expect you to have significant experience in a specific field already.

career college career-path internship education fall24
Answer This

+25 Karma if successful
From: You
To: Friend
Subject: Career question for you
4

4 answers

0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Daniel’s Answer

Great question! While you are correct that the idea scenario assumes that you know what you want to do. What most employers fail to mention is that your education doesn't end when you graduate - you are a student for life. I had the best luck with summer employment in college when I focused on my desire to learn from the experience instead of the decision to make that a lifelong career. I have spent almost no time doing what I majored in since I graduated
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Kennedy’s Answer

Hi Leighanna, great question! Deciding a life long career early on in college can seem pretty daunting. I personally was not sure what I wanted to do until my senior year. But throughout my summers, I tried to apply to internships that sounded at least remotely interesting. By applying to varying internships, it helped me to narrow down what kind of work I really enjoyed, that challenged me and where I could utilize my unique skillset. I would encourage you to search through your institutions resource network to explore what kinds of internships are available. Internships are for learning and developing. Most employers understand an intern will have limited knowledge in the field, don't feel you have to be an expert to apply to a certain position. But gaining experience is the most important part. The more data and knowledge you gain about yourself, the better informed your career decisions will be in the future.
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Jeiana’s Answer

Well what are you interested in? What are your hobbies? What do you have such a passion about in this world? These are all things that you should ask yourself. What are you majoring in, does your major reflect what you enjoy in life and what your interests are? Consider searching for common jobs or careers that people have that majored in the same thing that you are. Figure out if one of those positions sounds like something that you like to do and start searching for internships in that particular field. I'd suggest looking for internships that require no experience (they are out there you just have to be willing to dedicate some time searching for them, it worked for me, it should for you). As for where to find the internships, the best place that I found my internships were Handshake. I also recommend using Indeed and LinkedIn to aid your search in potential career paths as well as internships. I just suggest creating a profile even if you have minimal to no experience, this allows employers to find and message you on the platform.
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Michelle’s Answer

Hello, Leighanna !

This is a great question you've posed ! You are correct - Internships are specific to a focused career, but there is something that you can do. All is not lost !

Instead of thinking "internship" switch the thought to Volunteer Work. There is a wealth of satisfaction and growth when doing volunteer work and it will help you gain experience. I have left a link to a list of places in your town that may be possibilities for volunteer work. Remember, it's perfectly fine to not do an Internship, nothing to worry about. I personally never did an internship and was fine.

Another thing you can do now is to start participating in extracurriculars at your school. Think of your favorite subjects, hobbies, interests and join groups that are connected with things you love. Give yourself the luxury of exploring various activities and you just may be surprised at how inspiring it could be. Take active steps towards it. Are you in college now ? What are you majoring in ? I feel I don't have complete information to further guide you, but you can be assured that the volunteer work will be a good opportunity for you to explore.

If you are in college now with this concern, visit the career center or student academic counseling offices and they may even know of some volunteer opportunities for you. Take good advantage of all the resources that are where you are. You can also explore volunteer opportunities for remote work by doing a search on the internet. Here are some places you can consider for remote volunteering by looking up their websites online: Points of Light, Ancestry dot com’s World Archives Program, Carnamah Historical Society, Smithsonian Archives of American Gardens, Smithsonian Digital Volunteer, American Red Cross virtual volunteer program, Humanitarian Data Exchange, Humanity Road, Cherie Blair Foundation Online Mentors, Grow Movement, Resolution Project, Audiopedia (if you speak a foreign language), United Nations Online Volunteering Database, and The Trevor Project which is a crisis intervention program for which you'd be trained. These are just some and I am sure you can find more through an internet search.

I hope this is helpful for a start and I wish you well moving forward !

Michelle recommends the following next steps:

PLACES TO VOLUNTEER AT IN YOUR TOWN https://greatnonprofits.org/city/shreveport/LA
0