How To Make Strides On Fall Break

If you’ll be around during break, WPI’s Campus Center is a great area to get applications and messages out productively.

As final project deadlines and exams approach next week, most students cannot wait for Fall Break!  I know I’m feeling that itch as well.  BUT!  A smart move would be to put aside a couple days in the Break that you can crank out more of your job search, whether it be for full-time or internship opportunities.

I use a 6-step process for this kind of objective that I find to be particularly effective:

1.  Clear your head of anything “A-Term” that’s in the past – classes, events, homework assignments…they’ve happened already!

2.  Find a place where you can be productive.  Back home for me, that’s the town library (which has Wi-Fi!), and at WPI, it’s the third floor of the Campus Center.

3.  Truly explore internet resources, such as  JobFinder and CareerSearch.  I think you would be surprised at how many Archived Job Postings in JobFinder companies have that they may still be on the search for this year!  Additionally, CareerSearch allows you to find companies very close to home.

4.  Find out if any towns or cities near you have networking events in that timeframe you can explore.  An in-person introduction continues to be the best way to make an impression, not an online application!

CareerSearch is located on the homepage right-hand column of your JobFinder account.

5.  Search your LinkedIn connections for who may be connected to a company employee with whom you’d like to speak.  Several of your connections are interested in helping you out, even if they can’t do so directly!

6.  Book ahead on JobFinder for CDC events and add them directly to your Outlook Calendar, such as company information sessions! 

For more tips, tricks, and advice on your college career moves, check out what Ahmad, Sebastian, Emily, and Sam have been saying recently!

Until next time,

Adam