RFLA Foundations Summit Next Steps

According to the NACE 2022 Job Outlook survey of employers, one of the top qualities employers look for in new hires is if they have had an internship in the field. In fact, when two equally qualified candidates are competing for a job opening, employers give the edge to the candidate who has completed an internship with the employer’s organization, and/or the one with internship experience in the same industry. 

Job outcomes aside, internship opportunities offer you effective ways to explore roles, organizations, and industries, while also giving you the chance to assess and develop new skills, and expand your networks. Here are some resources you may want to consider when exploring internships:

• Internships Search Strategy & Avenues: As you begin your internship search, do not underestimate the power of your networks (familial, social, academic, and professional). Soft leads and insights from individual connections combined with effective internship and/or job board explorations will help you land opportunities that align with your values and interests. Platforms to consider include: 
  
  • Handshake 
  • LinkedIn
  • Idealist
  • Micro-Internships with Parker Dewey 
• Consider using a guide like the Rollins Internship Search Plan. 
• Want to maximize the benefits of the experience and progress academically? Consider pursuing an Academic Internship and engage in a reflection course that runs concurrent with the experience. 
  • Academic Internship Criteria
  • Rollins Academic Internship Employer & Student Guide
  • Academic Internship Registration Guide
• Interested in receiving funding to support your summer internship experience? Explore possibilities through the Gateway Fellows Program which offers funding support to undergraduate students participating in academic internships.

Unsure how to talk about your curricular and co-curricular activities in professional settings? Team-taught by college faculty and career center staff, the CLP 102 course (Making any Major Marketable or Embarking on Your Career) helps you package and market your experiences into a successful personal brand. Topics include resumes, cover letters, professional networking, interviewing, and graduate school. This course counts as a 2-credit, general elective and counts towards the graduation hour requirement. 

CLP 102 and other career preparation courses are offered each fall and spring semester. Connect with your academic advisor, explore options, and register for a CLP course in the coming semester. 

The CCLP team is eager to support you throughout your Rollins journey! Ways to connect with us include:

• Dropping by the Career Studio—our student-led career collaborative space offers you a chance to engage with career ambassadors and peers in all career topics. Our Career Studio is open Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 2:00pm during fall and spring semesters.

• Scheduling an appointment via Handshake for individualized advising led by our career professionals. Matching expertise, the range of appointment topics you'll encounter is vast. 

In addition to scheduling career advising appointments, accessing resources, and finding job and experiential learning opportunities, Handshake is also your go to platform for staying informed on career readiness events. Events and Programs you should consider include:

• Fall and Spring Networking & Recruiting Nights—typically happening in October and March, these high-impact engagements give students and alumni a chance to explore opportunities and connect with 35+ employers looking to recruit Rollins talent. Look at Handshake, Get Involved, and your Rollins Email for upcoming engagement dates. 
• Work Fox Employer Spotlights—individualized and small group employer connections happening every Tuesday and Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. Login to Handshake to view future employer participant information.
• On-Campus Employment—although on-campus jobs are available throughout the year, the majority of the roles are posted in mid-July. Explore available roles in Handshake, and start engaging in skill-building and network expansion opportunities next semester.
• Gateway Fellows Program—an access-focused intitiave, gives students the chance to apply for funding towards the costs of a summer internship: transportation, housing, living expenses, internship course fees, etc.. Applications typically open in February. Funding is made possible by: 
  • Alumni Donors supporting student engagement in broad internship experiences
  • The Johnson Family Foundation supporting student engagement in internship experiences with non-profit organizations whose efforts focus on LGBTQ+ and social justice issues
• Career Champions Mentor Program—a student-centric, mentorship-focused initiative, gives students a chance to connect with alumni mentors in their professional field of interest. In the program, alumni mentors serve as career champions—Rollins community members who bring their professional knowledge and industry insight to support students in working towards their future goals. Applications typically open in March.