INDS 410

Tue, 25 Oct 2016 16:33:46 -0400

I’m not exactly sure where the time has gone, but registration for winter classes is already here. If any of you are worried about finding a summer internship, or even wondering how to get started on your resume, cover letter, or any of your other professional documents, consider taking INDS 410!

This one-credit, pass/fail course will get you motivated and prepared to land your dream internship. You will develop a polished resume/cover letter, identify target internships, and practice talking about your strengths in a supportive environment. You'll also receive individualized feedback from a career professional, peers, and visiting employers.

The class is open to all UMBC students, regardless of major, class, or career interests. That sounds pretty cool to me. You never know what kinds of interesting discussions you can have with people who have completely different interests than you.

There is only one assignment attached to the class, an Internship Strategy Book that is geared towards helping you identify your strengths and potential internship opportunities, tailoring your experiences to those specific opportunities, and communicating your attributes to employers.

Still not sure if you want to take the class? If you’re on the fence, here are a list of questions that you will answer during the course of the class:

What strengths do I possess?

What kind of internship do I want?

Where do I want to intern, and how will I apply?

How will I stand out on paper?

How will I stand out online?

How will I stand out in person?

Who is already in my network, and who do I want in my network?

Where do I start?

If you’re interested in knowing the answers to any of these questions, this is the class for you.

As college students, it’s fairly expected that we complete an internship during our college careers. This is the perfect way to learn how to market yourself and your experiences to get that internship.

If you want to get a head start on your Internship Search, come to the Career Center and speak with a member of our Internships and Employment team! Directions on how to schedule an appointment can be found here.

Finding the perfect internship for you can take a lot of time and research. The Career Center’s website offers a number of different resources to help students with their search. Learn how to navigate UMBCWorks, how to meet employers on campus, and strategies to find jobs and internships. Those are only a few of the tools the website offers.

I know sometimes it seems like classes like these aren’t worth the effort, but getting credit and understanding how to use your strengths to market yourself is a great way to have a productive winter break!