Job & Internship Searching – Now What?
At the UGA Career Center, our top priority is to assist students in developing career readiness skills and preparing for life beyond the Arch. For many of you grappling with the thought of not returning to campus to finish out the semester, life beyond the Arch may be feeling more imminent (and perhaps more daunting). We want to acknowledge that this is a difficult time, but we also want to provide you with as much helpful information, applicable resources, and career development support as we can.
If you have an immediate job search need, filter job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn Jobs by “date posted” to see employers who are actively posting immediate hiring needs. Also, be sure to check out job boards with remote opportunities, such as Jobspresso, Remote.co, WeWorkRemotely, WorkingNomads, JustRemote.co, and VirtualVocations.
If you’re searching for a full-time job or professional internship with a start date of this summer, keep applying through Handshake! Many employers are continuing their on-campus recruiting virtually. Check out the “Events” tab on your Handshake account for virtual employer-hosted recruiting events and information sessions.
As a job or internship seeker, know that recruiting processes will likely take place in a completely virtual capacity. To prepare, consider reading this Career Center blog post about video interviewing, and use Big Interview to practice your video interviewing skills. You can also schedule a virtual appointment with your Career Consultant to practice using Zoom (a video conferencing program) and complete a virtual mock interview.
If you have already accepted an internship with a start date this summer, realize that given the rapidly-changing and unprecedented nature of this situation, your employer is likely closely monitoring the situation and/or working to create contingency plans. If you have immediate questions, reach out to your company contact but expect potential delays in response time. As of March 17th, over 80% of 278 employers surveyed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers said they anticipate that summer internships will continue as planned.
Mentorship can be an excellent resource during this turbulent time. Consider reaching out to your mentor(s) to discuss what you're both experiencing professionally and personally. If you do not currently have a mentor, attend a UGA Mentor Program virtual orientation session to learn about being paired with a UGA alumni who can provide guidance and support.
This pandemic will undoubtedly continue to present unique challenges for companies and organizations, as well as employees and job seekers. We are here to support you through these challenges. We encourage you to stay connected to the UGA Career Center! Our staff is available and accepting virtual career appointments, and we will continue to offer a full range of virtual services and programs that you can access from anywhere.