Interview and Job Search Preparation

1. Define Your Goals and Priorities: Before you start your job search, take the time to define your career goals and priorities. What type of work do you enjoy? What industries or sectors align with your interests? Knowing what you're looking for will help you focus your search and make more informed decisions.

2. Polish Your Resume and Online Presence: Meet with USI Career Services to craft a strong, tailored resume that highlights your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements. Ensure your online presence, especially on professional platforms like LinkedIn, reflects your qualifications and aspirations. Many employers now rely on these platforms to find potential candidates.

3. Network: Utilize your personal and professional networks to learn about job opportunities. Attend career fairs, workshops, and networking events related to your field. Don't be afraid to reach out to alumni, mentors, and contacts in your industry to gather insights and potential leads.

4. Customize Your Applications: Avoid the temptation to send out generic job applications. Tailor each application to match the specific job requirements and showcase how your skills align with the role. A targeted application shows that you've done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position.

5. Stay Persistent and Resilient: The job search process can be demanding, and rejection is a natural part of it. Stay persistent, maintain a positive attitude, and learn from any setbacks. Keep refining your approach, seeking feedback, and adapting your strategies as needed.

Remember, finding the right full-time job often takes time and effort, but with determination and a strategic approach, you can increase your chances of landing a position that aligns with your career goals.

Certainly, finding an internship can be a crucial step in gaining valuable experience and building your career path. Here are five tips to help you secure a meaningful internship:

1. Research Your Field: Understand the industry or field you're interested in. Research companies, organizations, and institutions that align with your career goals. Identify the roles, responsibilities, and skills commonly required in your desired field.

2. Utilize College Resources: As a USI student, you can meet 1:1 with a professional Career Coach for guidance on finding internships, resume building, interview preparation, and networking opportunities. They often have connections with local businesses and industries. Schedule an appointment.

3. Networking is Key: Tap into your personal and professional networks. Let friends, family, professors, and mentors know that you're looking for an internship. Attend career fairs, workshops, and industry events to meet potential employers and learn more about available opportunities.

4. Search Online Platforms: Utilize online internship search platforms and job boards. Websites like USI Career Launch, LinkedIn, and Indeed often have listings for internships across various industries. Narrow down your search based on location, field, and duration.

5. Direct Applications: If there's a specific company or organization you're interested in interning with, visit their website and check if they have a dedicated internship section. Many companies accept direct applications for internships, and this proactive approach can showcase your enthusiasm for their work.

Remember, internships are not only a chance to gain practical experience but also to demonstrate your abilities to potential future employers. Tailor your application materials to highlight your relevant skills and experiences, and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to the organization during interviews.

This program provides jobs for undergraduate and graduate students who need financial aid. Students are paid at least minimum wage and work between 5 and 20 hours per week when school is in session. During periods of non-enrollment, eligible students may work full time. A portion of the earnings from non-enrollment periods is used to meet the student's academic year expenses and, therefore, may reduce a student's need for other assistance.

A portion of USI's Federal Work Study (FWS) funds are devoted to support student participation in community service organizations. Organizations USI collaborates with are the Boy Scouts of America, Central Child Care, Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana, and the YMCA.

Students may apply for the FWS program by completing the FAFSA and indicating work study as a type of aid requested on the FAFSA. After completing the FAFSA, interested students should complete the Federal Work Study resume. The FWS resume is found online in the Student Financial Assistance forms library. Preferred filing deadlines should be observed to ensure consideration of the student for these limited federal funds. For more information, view our Federal Work Study frequently asked questions handout available online in the Student Financial Assistance forms library.

The University employs many students as part-time employees. Some benefits of working on campus are:

1. Convenience: On-campus jobs are usually close to student housing and classes, making it convenient for students to balance work and academics without the need for extensive travel.

2. Flexible Scheduling: Many campus jobs offer flexible hours that can accommodate a student's class schedule, allowing them to earn money without sacrificing study time.

3. Skill Development: On-campus jobs often provide opportunities for students to develop valuable skills such as communication, teamwork, time management, and customer service, which are essential for future career success.

4. Networking Opportunities: Working on campus allows students to build relationships with professors, staff, and fellow students, which can lead to valuable networking opportunities and potential mentorship connections.

5. Resume Enhancement: Having on-campus work experience demonstrates to future employers that a student is capable of balancing multiple responsibilities and can contribute to a team in a professional environment, enhancing their resume.

6. Financial Support: On-campus jobs provide students with a source of income to help cover expenses such as tuition, books, housing, and personal expenses, reducing the need for student loans or financial aid.

7. Academic Support: Some on-campus jobs, such as tutoring or working in academic support centers, provide students with opportunities to reinforce their own learning while helping others, which can improve academic performance.

8. Community Engagement: Working on campus allows students to become more involved in campus life and engage with the broader college community, fostering a sense of belonging and connection to the institution.

Contact Career Services and Internships in the Orr Center for information about non-work study student employment both on and off campus.

When you are launching your career, finding ways to test out different industries or even get your foot in the door can be challenging, especially without having prior experience. That's where Micro-Internships can help. Parker Dewey provides short-term, paid, professional projects that are open to all college students and recent graduates of U.S.-based institutions. From working directly with an entrepreneur to supporting a large enterprise, you'll have the opportunity to explore different roles and company cultures in a way that fits into your schedule. 

Every project on Parker Dewey is paid a fair per-project rate, so what you see is what you will earn upon completion. Most importantly, Parker Dewey protects you as you'll never have to negotiate pay, send an invoice, or create a contract—all of these details are managed behind the scenes on their platform.

There is no cost to participate. Simply create a Profile at https://info.parkerdewey.com/colum, Browse opportunities and apply!  There are no fees to create an account or browse opportunities on Parker Dewey.