Looking for a Internship or a Summer/Part-Time Job?

The How To's

The Possibilities are Endless!

• You may simply need and want cold-hard-cash. If this is the case, you may be looking for opportunities simply based on salary.
• You may want to do a combination, job-internship over the summer that provides career-related experience and provides the necessary income.
• You can do volunteer work a few hours each week in a career-related experience while working full-time or part-time paid positions to earn income
• Or, maybe you will work two (2) part-time jobs over the summer for variety and diversity of experience

Anything is possible. Be creative!

Getting Started

You've decided what you're looking for, what you want from your experience, and where you want to be geographically. Now is the time to get to work! Your best bet: allow plenty of time! Starting your search in the beginning of spring semester is not too early. There are several strategies you can implement to obtain a summer job and/or internship. The best approach is to use a combination of all of them. Develop a plan and let the process begin!

What You'll Need

• Resume: Develop a resume highlighting your education, employment history, interests, activities, and special skills. You may be required to submit a resume in order to obtain an interview.
• Cover Letters: You may be conducting long distance summer job searches which require contacting potential employers by mail. Whenever you send out a resume, you should always include a cover letter.
  ***For resume and cover letter advice and counseling, set up an appointment with the staff at the Career Services Office by calling 202-319-5623 or stopping by the office at Suite 202 in the Pryz.
• OF612/SF171: For opportunities with the Federal Government, you may need to submit one or both of these standardized forms. Make sure you check with employers to see if this is a requirement of the application process.
• Other Supporting Information: Depending on the nature of the position for which you are applying, you may need to provide a writing sample, portfolio, etc. Be prepared and knowledgeable of what employers expect you to provide.
• Organization & Follow-Through: It is important to keep yourself organized and follow-up with employers in a timely fashion. Develop a method of organizing your contacts and interactions with employers (phone calls, resume/cover letters sent, etc.).
• Commitment: You need to commit to the job search! It requires time and patience. Remember, the more attention given to your search for summer employment, the more it will pay off!

Locating and Creating Opportunities

Don't wait for opportunities to come to you....go find them! Below is a list of resources for locating opportunities and identifying organizations.

• Personal Contacts: Talk with friends, family, former employers, faculty, alumni, and professional associations (identify and talk with a professional in your field of interest).
• Advertised Jobs/ Classifieds: regularly look on Cardinal Connection, local newspapers, and bulletin boards at libraries, post offices, grocery stores, and neighborhood restaurants.
• Directories/ Published Material: Scan employer directories, yellow pages, and professional journals and publications.
• Temporary Employment: Check out organizations such as Manpower, Kelly Services, or Don Richards Associates.
• Be an Entrepreneur: Creative business opportunities that you can run yourself shouldn't be forgotten! Painting, landscaping, and sales are a few examples.

How to Approach Employers Who Haven't Listed Jobs

Call the organization in which you are interested. Indicate that you are a college student looking for a summer job, and would like to know if they will be hiring. (Have your resume in front of you in case they start asking questions over the phone about your experiences.)

• If "yes," find out what kind of positions, and how to get in contact with the right people. Make sure you take note of any deadlines.
• If "not sure yet," find out when to call back, and who to contact.

If a formal summer job program is available, find out the name of the contact person, application deadlines, and procedures. Be prepared to send your cover letter and resume.

You Got an Interview...Now What?!

Take all information you will need to fill out an application:

• References (names, addresses, phone numbers)
• Social security card
• birth certificate
• driver's license
• resume

Be prepared to SELL YOURSELF! Employers are looking for individuals who are adaptable, dependable, and personable. Research the organization in order to convey your level of interest and enthusiasm. You want to show that there is a "match" between your needs and the needs of the organization. Dress and act professionally. Talk about your interests for summer employment but be flexible to the organization's needs. Before leaving the interview, be sure to ask when you should expect to hear a response. Be enthusiastic!

It is important to send a thank you note to employers after the interview as well as to other referral services you have contacted for help. "Last impressions" as well as "first impressions" are very important. The thank you letter should not only thank the interviewer for his or her time; it should also reaffirm your interest.

Once you have accepted an offer, it is proper etiquette and business ethics to inform other potential employers of your status, and decline all other interview offers.

Career Services Key Resources

• Alumni Career Network
• Appointments with Staff Members (resume & cover letter critiques, interviewing, specific job search needs)
• Cardinal Connection (24- hour Internet access to jobs and internships)
• Educational Handouts (resume and cover letter writing, job searching, interviewing)
• Employment Directories (Peterson's Guide to Summer Jobs, National Trade and Professional Associations, Washington Information Directory, Washington 2005, Job Bank Series, etc.)
• Student Resource Area (access to the Internet, fax, and phone services within the Career Services Office)
• Links to internships held by CUA students and Other Internship Resources

Special Programs

• Spring Job Fair (March)
• Full/Part-Time Job/Internship Fair (October)
• Engineering Fair (January)
• Information on how to find an internship for students with disabilities, click here.

Contact Us:

• By phone: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 202-319-5623
• By e-mail: careers@cua.edu
• Stop by: Suite 202 in the Pryz