Test Drive a Job

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” might be a question that is tailored toward kids, but the heart of the question is relevant to any student or job seeker. While you might know what kind of job you want, it’s difficult to know if it is the right position for you without an on-the-job experience. Just like test driving a car, you can test out a career before you commit to it. This is called work-based learning, and can include volunteering, internships, and apprenticeships.

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Over 50? Be a Midtern

Are you an older worker who wants to go in a different direction with your work life but not sure how to do it? Have you been you laid off and unable to find work? If this sounds like you, consider a mid-life internship or “midternship”.

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How and Why to Get an Internship: A Personal Story

Diane Kulseth is a junior marketing major at the University of St. Thomas.  She has benefited from several internship experiences, including positions at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, the University of St. Thomas Career Center, and Three Deep Marketing in North St. Paul.  Diane offers good advice for students weighing the pros and cons of internships.

I began my internship search during my sophomore year of college. I knew internships were important, so I wanted to prepare early. Even if I didn’t get a position that summer, I knew the experience of interviewing with employers would be essential for my future job search endeavors.

I searched for internships through my school’s career center, which has a great program of interviewing on campus, and a job board which hundreds of organizations use. I also attended the Minnesota Private Colleges Job and Internship Fair to get a feel for what a big job fair was like. It was a great experience. I would highly recommend that anyone thinking of an internship attend this year.  

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