What
is it?
One
of the most important decisions students
can make during college that will impact
their professional development is gaining
career-related experience in their field
of interest. We know that 75% of employers
who recruit college graduates prefer to
hire those who have some type of career-related
experience on their resume. These experiences
help students test out and confirm their
career interests; develop real world skills
that enhance qualifications for future employment;
make professional contacts in their field;
and possibly gain an offer of full-time
employment.
What
Can Parents Do?
Encourage
your son or daughter to meet with a Career
Consultant at University Career Services
to learn more about their options.
What
are students' options?
Cooperative
Education
(Co-op) |
A
structured program where students
who meet eligibility requirements
gain paid, professional-level, supervised
work experience. Students must complete
a minimum of 640 hours (one semester
full-time or two semesters part-time).
Co-op usually adds a semester to students'
stay at college.
|
| Internships |
Work
experience that provides students
with practical knowledge and firsthand
experience in a particular field of
study. Some are paid via an hourly
wage or stipend. Academic credit is
available if the student's department
offers an internship course, although
not all do.
|
Part-Time/
Summer
Jobs |
Paid
jobs that may involve significant
career-related tasks or may be peripherally
related to career areas but allow
students to get a "flavor"
of an organization or occupation.
|
| Externships |
A
one to five day experience where students
"shadow" and observe a professional
at their job site.
|
| Volunteering |
Unpaid
work sought to gain practical experience
in a field, to make contacts, and
to provide service to the community.
|
Campus
Leadership |
Active
participation in a campus organization
can enhance skills and provide excellent
experience in problem-solving, organization,
program/event development, teamwork
and collaboration.
|
Mason
students may contact Career
Services to find out how to join PatriotJobWeb
where they can access internship, Co-op
and part-time job listings as well as full-time
job listings.
