Senior Class News

Preparation after Graduation

By Bianca Dade

            Graduation Class of 2010! It is a fact the once you walk across that stage the next steps are graduate school or employment. Many students at Bowie State University have found that it has been challenging when trying to find employment because of the economic hardship with jobs. Human resources analysts recommend that students who have already graduated from a four year institution should still apply for internships.             There are huge benefits of becoming an intern after graduation because be both formal, paid training programs and less formal, unpaid positions have long been used as a recruiting tool and as a way for young professionals to get their foot in the door of an organization. It is a fact that graduating college students who had internships, nearly 70 percent received offers of full-time employment from their internship hosts during the 2007-2008 academic year, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers 2009 Experiential Education Survey.

 Taking an internship when a full-time job cannot be found may be a new grad's best option. There has never been such a high level of graduates taking internships within the last six years ever in history. While many of the more formal internship programs geared toward undergrads may already be filled, soon-to-be grads can still find them if they are resourceful and target their efforts and are willing to work to convince a company to create one for them.

To get an internship created for you, you will need to use your network to find someone at the company who can help you. If you had a good interview with a recruiter or met an executive at a campus networking event that is a good place to start. Tell your contact you understand there are no jobs available, but ask if you can come in for an informational interview to learn more about the firm. Offer up ideas on where you might fit in and stress that you are flexible and eager to learn. If you are in a position to offer your services without pay for a short period of time never turns to opportunity, the experience could always enhance your resume.

The best internships will provide meaningful work, a mentor relationship and opportunities to expand professional contacts and connections. The goal, short of a coveted job offer, is to "make sure there is a work project with a finished product and a highly positive letter of recommendation" at the end of the internship. So always try to work hard and try to learn as much about that company as possible. Remember after graduation if you cannot find full time employment; always look for an internship because it could turn into a career! Good luck seniors!