Newsletter

Summer Internship After Second-Year - 2021

October 2021

This time of year, many second-year students are experiencing a lot of stress and pressure related to employment and internship search. Students frequently believe that they are the only ones without a job offer while, in fact, well over 70% of the class is still seeking employment for next summer.  

Recruitment for summer internships occurs throughout the school year, with peaks in Sept/Oct and again in Jan/Feb. Outside of these peaks, there is still plenty of hiring activity that extends right into the summer months.  

We find that two common mistakes that students make while searching for an internship are: 1) relying exclusively on job postings and 2) delaying their job search indefinitely (often due to feeling stressed or overwhelmed).

Here are two ways students can overcome job search inertia and stress:

1. Meet with a career coach.  The Career Advancement Centre (CAC) has a team of coaches who are available to meet with students on an individual basis. Recurring meetings can be scheduled to support a student through the entire job search process, including self-assessment, resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, networking, and job search strategies that go beyond job postings. Meeting with a coach can also help with the emotional roller coaster that many students experience as they seek employment.
   
   
2. Connect with alumni. The Queen’s alumni network is eager to support, advise and mentor our students. Even if they can’t provide job opportunities, they can provide valuable connections and tips to help students secure employment. Alumni can be found through SmithConnect and LinkedIn.
   
   SmithConnect is a private Smith School platform that currently has over 6000 alumni who have registered and indicated the different ways they are willing to support students. A career coach can guide students on best practices and ways to get the most out of the alumni network.

Don’t hesitate to encourage your student to reach out to the CAC for support and guidance today.