Students gathered at a career and internship event co-sponsored by Academic Advisement in the student center ballrooms during common hour (12:30-1:30). The event offered food, refreshments, and direct opportunities for students to connect with professional resources.
The event acted as a ‘one-stop shop’ for students seeking internships, experiential learning, and career development. Staff guided attendees through internship processes and experiential learning benefits. Ten departments participated.
Academic advisor and retention specialist Kayla Stepinac explained that the event aimed to better inform students about experiential learning opportunities available within their majors and externally, outside the university.
“We have a lot of departments that offer support with internship searching, finding ways to get experience in the career before they graduate, and we want to expose them to this information earlier on, so that they don’t wait until they’re a senior graduating to start getting the experience,” Stepinac said.
Students were also introduced to PowerPath experiences, a program designed specifically to help them build practical, in-demand skills and improve their readiness for employment through hands-on opportunities outside the classroom.
In addition to learning about internships, students benefited from on-the-spot resume reviews, during which career advisors provided actionable feedback on resume formatting, experience descriptions, and tips for tailoring applications to specific industries. They also gained practical AI tips for job searching, resume building, and interview preparation, making the job hunt more efficient and effective.
The departments are looking for students to shape their careers and work on their transferable skills. Stepinac noted that some of the things employers look for are “some of their soft skills, so working on networking, working on resume review, interpersonal communication,” and the ability to do an elevator pitch in 30 seconds, describing who you are and why they should hire you, on the spot.
Dr. Tia Cherry, director for academic initiatives and student engagement, and coordinator of internships, represented the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. She encouraged students to use the eight NACE competencies: career & self-development, communication, critical thinking, equity & inclusion, leadership, professionalism, teamwork, and technology.
“A lot of employers are looking for those transferable skills. So it doesn’t matter if you’re an English major, if you’re a communications major, they’re looking at what it is that you have learned in the classroom, and what is it that your resume is saying before you are in front of them,” Dr. Cherry said.
Stepinac also said that the departments were trying to get students to understand the importance of their digital footprint as they enter the workforce. By creating a LinkedIn or Handshake account, “employers can learn more about you before they even meet you,” Stepinac said.
Dr. Cherry mentioned that there are currently more internship sites and employers interested in hiring students than there are students applying for these positions.
She went on to discuss how internships are practice for the real world. When you get an internship, “that’s putting the practice into play. So when you get that internship, that work study job, community service, part-time job, whatever it is, it’s not only helping you to build your resume, but also to get those foundational skills that will help you in any job,” she said.
Mentorship opportunities were also highlighted through the Pesce Family Mentoring Institute, which connects students with experienced professionals and alumni who offer career guidance, networking, and industry insights, helping students make informed decisions and build confidence as they begin their careers.
One student who attended, Markquiroz, a social work major, attended the event to gain support from the services, learn how to put her resume together, and learn about other resources available.
She said that these types of events are “absolutely helpful, especially with things like handshake, because it’s not the only thing you need, there are other places and platforms that will provide jobs.”
She added that she hoped to gain the right knowledge “for the next steps towards internships and jobs” by attending the event.
For students who may feel nervous or insecure about the internship process, Stepinac said to remember “everyone is just an individual or a person,” and that there’s no need to think someone is above you or has a higher status, “they’re just another individual, that you can potentially seek opportunity from, or possibly connect with.”
She highlights that networking is about “trying to find the connection point with another person,” which “takes a level of vulnerability, you have to open up and share.” She also stresses knowing “what you’re looking for, what your goals are, why you’re here today,” and being able to “talk more about yourself and have that confidence.”
On that note, Dr. Cherry emphasized the importance of starting with campus resources.
“You have the career development center, you have my office, you have your advisor. Go to them and speak with them, as they may be able to assist you. They also have different tools in the career and development center where you can do mock interviews, and they’ll give you feedback.”
As the event concluded, students left with actionable advice, new contacts, and a clear sense of how campus resources can accelerate their career goals. The central takeaway: taking initiative and using available guidance are key to a successful start.
