It’s almost recruitment season– one of the most stressful times for a college student. From summer internships to travel and research, the opportunities are endless and, honestly, overwhelming. Applications feel limited and more competitive every year. Here’s my best advice for when you have to go through the recruiting process.
Apply, Apply, Apply!
Rejection is completely normal, and you should get used to it. No matter how perfect your resume or grades are, you can still get an automatic rejection from any company, which is just an annoying part of the job cycle. Most companies have thousands of applications within 24 hours of posting an internship and have technology that can filter through people very quickly. The more companies you apply to, however, the more your chances of getting a job increase! Don’t feel ashamed by rejection emails, and instead, be inspired to apply to more. USC has tons of career pages where you can find internships and fellowships all around the country, including those abroad! There are also tons of on-campus jobs you can apply for.
Refine your Resume
It’s important to have your resume up-to-date to have your best foot forward when applying. USC has many tools available online to help refine your resume, or you can meet with a career counselor on campus to help you make a plan to create a resume. In addition, lots of students make their own personal websites or have a portfolio to showcase their work.
Alumni Network
USC’s Alumni is practically at every company you could think of. Don’t be afraid to connect with them, whether it’s reaching out over email or at an event! USC Viterbi has its own career fair with lots of employees and past alumni looking to hire Trojans. I have reached out to lots of alumni at companies I want to work at, and they’ve been incredibly helpful.
Overall, though this time is super stressful, I appreciate USC for its vast opportunities, and rest assured that there are tons of opportunities waiting for you here!
