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Everywhere I look on campus, it seems like no one (including myself) is ready to be back - except for the Career Center, that is. We're hitting the ground running this semester, and already have some exciting events lined up for the coming weeks. Here's a quick run-down of what not to miss:
Resume Critiques: Friday 2/5, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, Career Center; Monday 2/8, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm, Campus Center Room 218; 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm, Career Center
In the next week, there will be 8 hours' worth of resume critiques, and you don't even have to hike uphill to Dowling if you don't want to (note the Campus Center location on Monday). Drop by for a quick 10-minute appointment to get another pair of eyes looking at your resume. It's great timing, considering the summer internship application season now upon us, as well as...
Spring Career Fair: Wednesday 2/10, 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, Gantcher Center
That's right, people. The Career Fair is a week away. It's hard to believe since we just got back to campus four seconds ago, but it's the perfect jumpstart we need to get us thinking about internships, jobs, and post-graduation plans early on. In my opinion, the Career Fair is, above all, a fantastic opportunity for networking; you might find your dream job just by talking to people. Don't miss the biggest Career Center event of the semester - all class years and majors welcome!
Career Center Summer Internship Grant Info Sessions: Friday 2/12, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, Dowling Hall Milmore Room, Monday 2/29, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Dowling 745A
If you get an amazing summer internship, either through the Career Fair or on your own, but learn that it's unpaid, don't prepare yourself for 3 months of begging your parents for money every time you want a BlueZone from Helen's. The Career Center offers summer internship grants for students working unpaid internships. Come to an info session to learn how to apply for $3,500 in funding!
This is just scratching the surface of all the events being put on by the Career Center this semester. We haven't even gotten to March yet. So even if you're not ready, don't worry, because the Career Center is ready for you.
But what does it really mean to be "ready"? I mean, honestly, are any of us ever prepared for the craziness of college life? I personally find that I'm so busy with classes, work, and extracurriculars that it's hard to find time to think about my career once school starts up again. Before we know it, midterms will be upon us, and then we'll be bogged down in exams until May. But before my philosophical musings and nihilism send you to bed with a tub of ice cream for the rest of the day, here are a few tidbits of advice I can offer. I claim no expertise on the topic of reserving time for yourself, but these are simple recommendations that anyone can do. (Baby steps, right people?):
Breathe. It will be okay. If you're already this nervous about finding a summer internship, believe it or not, that's a good thing. That fear will motivate you to conduct a lengthy, in-depth search that will certainly result in something. Get the idea that you won't find a job or internship out of your head. They're out there; it just takes some looking.
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| If I've learned anything through my employment at the Career Center, it's that I'm a sucker for cute animal memes. Source |
Meet with a Career Advisor. Take thirty minutes out of your day to focus on you. By meeting with a Career Advisor, you'll be able to articulate your career goals and receive advice on how to achieve them from a professional. It's an act of self-care, and one that every Tufts student should perform.
Stay on top of yourself. The only thing standing between you and the perfect internship is yourself. That sounds like it came straight from the mouth of an overpaid motivational speaker, but it's the best way I can think of to emphasize the importance of perseverance. An internship search is a long-term process, not one that can be finished in a week, or even a month. Don't give up because you think it's too overwhelming and your time is better spent elsewhere. Think of how rewarding an experience it will be to work in and learn about an interesting career field for three intensive months. That payout is worth any investment (and I've never even taken an Econ class).
This post, like the first week of classes, threw a lot of information at you. But I hope that, in flooding you with little pieces of advice, you take away at least one or two for yourself. Be aware of the resources available to you, and take advantage of them. And, most importantly, stop in the Career Center now before you get busy (well, busier).
Until next time,
Sean Boyden
Class of 2017
