Job & Internship Search

Make the most of your college experience by building your resume with various experiential learning opportunities such as internships, job shadow etc! Looking for a full-time job after graduation? See below for resources to help take you take the next step from campus to career!

An Internship and Job Search Checklist for SHU Students

An internship and job search can feel overwhelming, so it’s helpful to break it into manageable steps. The good news is you don’t have to do every step in order. For example, you can start working on your resume before you identify what you want to do. Just start checking off as many of these activities as you can, and you’ll find yourself on the way to a great opportunity. 

  • Step 1: Confirm your basics – contact your career coach for help

    • Identify your skills, strengths, interests and values.
    • Identify the skills you need to develop for your career objectives (i.e, writing, developing, researching, analyzing, communicating, problem solving, calculating).
    • Determine internships which will contribute to this skill development.
    • Create or update your resume.
  • Step 2: Register with Handshake and prepare your tools

    • Upload your resume for approval, understand how to write a cover letter, confirm at least 3 references.
    • Search job postings for internships that might be a fit.
    • Take note of announcements: employers visiting for information sessions, on-campus recruitment, employer panels.
    • Review the Employer Database for a list of organizations that have a relationship with SHU.
    • Use the SHU Alumni Network as a source of contacts for informational interviewing.
  • Step 3: Expand your search

    • Identify your top organizations and develop a system to track your contacts and interactions.
    • Identify SHU alumni, friends, family, and social contacts who might be able to give you advice or connect you to someone affiliated with your target list of organizations.
    • Request information interviews – meetings over the phone or in person where you can ask for advice or suggestions regarding your internship search.
    • Always follow-up with a thank you note and promise to keep them posted on the progress of your search.
  • Step 4: Utilize the Internet

    • LinkedIn: Find at least 50 connections. Establish contacts, follow your top employers, apply to internships.
    • Glassdoor: Find internship postings, salary information, company reviews.
    • CollegeGrad: For recent graduates, find entry level positions.
    • Use other websites to find opportunities: Internships.com, WayUp, Youtern, Idealist.
  • Step 5: Prepare for Interviews and Interactions

    • Develop a 30 second speech for short encounters with employers.
    • Conduct research on the company and the type of internship opportunities.
    • Develop a list of insightful questions for the interviewer.
    • Contact a career coach for mock interviews, help preparing for an interview, or help in evaluating your internship search process.

Adapted with permission from Liberal Arts Career Services/UT Austin.

Looking to receive academic credit? Unsure if this role qualifies as an internship?

Be sure to speak with your academic advisor to ensure you are eligible to receive course credit for your internship.  Additionally, your advisor will be able to inform you of required hours and assignments.

Fraudulent Employer Warning

Although thousands of legitimate internship and employment opportunities are posted on Handshake and similar job portals, all students should be cautious about the integrity of any employer. All opportunities on Handshake are individually reviewed before being posted – however, sometimes opportunities may end up being different than what was described. Scam listings are rare but even one can harm you with lost time, money or personal identity. Please take a minute to review the following warnings list. 

  • A posting/employer may be a scam if:

    • You must provide your credit card, bank account numbers, or other personal financial documentation;
    • The posting appears to be from a reputable, familiar company (often a Fortune 500). Yet, the domain in the contact’s email address does not match the domain used by representatives of the company (this is typically easy to determine from the company’s website). Another way to validate is to check the open positions on the company’s website. – frequent scams include: domain @live.com;
    • The position requires an initial investment, such as a payment by wire service or courier;
    • The posting includes many spelling and grammatical errors;
    • The position initially appears as a traditional job…upon further research, it sounds more like an independent contractor opportunity;
    • You are offered a large payment or reward in exchange for allowing the use of your bank account (often for depositing checks or transferring money);
    • You receive an unexpectedly large check (checks are typically slightly less than $500, generally sent or deposited on Fridays);
    • You are asked to provide a photo of yourself.
    • The position is for any of the following: Envelope Stuffers, Home-based Assembly Jobs, Online Surveys.
    • The posting neglects to mention what the responsibilities of the job actually are. Instead, the description focuses on the amount of money to be made.
    • The employer responds to you immediately after you submit your resume. Typically, resumes sent to an employer are reviewed by multiple individuals, or not viewed until the posting has closed. Note – this does not include an auto-response you may receive from the employer once you have sent your resume.
    • The position indicates a “first year compensation” that is in high excess to the average compensation for that position type.
    • Watch for anonymity. If it is difficult to find an address, actual contact, company name, etc. – this is cause to proceed with caution. The salary range listed is very wide (i.e. “employees can earn from $50K – $90K the first year!”)
    • When you Google the company name and the word “scam” (i.e. “X” Company Scam), the results show several scam reports concerning this company.
    • Google the employer’s phone number, fax number and/or email address. If it does not appear connected to an actual business organization, this is a red flag.
    • The employer contacts you by phone, however, there is no way to call them back. The number is not available. – The employer tells you that they do not have an office set-up in your area, and will need you to help them get it up and running (these postings often include a request for your banking information, supposedly to help the employer make transactions).
  • If employer fraud is suspected:

    • 1. Report to a member of the Center for Career and Professional Development
    • 2. Report to SHU Public Safety, Fairfield Police Dept
    • 3. Suggested that students affected by employer fraud report their experience to the Internet Crime Complaint Center

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Contact & Location

Phone
(203) 371-7971
Address

Linda E. McMahon Student Commons
5151 Park Avenue
Fairfield, CT 06825

Center Hours

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Tuesday 8:30am-6:00pm
Wednesday 8:30am-6:00pm
Thursday 8:30am-6:00pm
Friday 8:30am-5:00pm