The Importance of Building Experience Now
- Participate in Co-curricular/Volunteer Activities
- Seek Part-Time/Summer Jobs
- Take a Class or Conduct Research
Participate in Co-curricular/Volunteer Activities
- Join student organizations or an Athletic Team to meet people, get involved and develop leadership and other skills
- Seek opportunities for leadership within an organization or athletic team (i.e. become an officer or take on a position that demands responsibility)
- Volunteer on campus or in the community. For volunteer opportunities, contact Alaina Shaffer at [email protected].
Check out part-time and summer opportunities
- Seek Part-time/Summer Jobs
- Your seemingly unrelated summer/part-time job will help you develop additional skills that can carry over into your professional future. Example: 'Being a food server will teach you patience, customer service, efficiency, time management and interpersonal skills'.
- Consider connecting your summer/part-time work with your academic and career goals. Example: 'If you are interested in publishing, seek employment with a local media outlet'.
- Look for opportunities on Nittany Lion Career Network - https://nittanylioncareers.psu.edu
- Watch your email for new opportunities that become available in the weekly job and internship email alert
- Be proactive and ask employers about summer/part-time work opportunities (don’t wait for something to be advertised)
Take a Class or Conduct Research in a Field of Interest
- Select general education or elective courses that interest you
- Explore undergraduate research opportunities to work with faculty in a specific academic area or contact a faculty member that you currently have a relationship with to ask about any opportunities with them.