So, you’re ready to start looking for a job or an internship. Where do you begin?

We’ve put together this list of tips to help you get started.

Expand your Network.

Many experts now say that about 75-80% of jobs are found through the “Hidden Market” Networking helps you open the door to opportunities that never get listed. Make connections through a variety of sources including:

Your personal relationships- family, friends, members of social and religious organizations.
Your professional relationships- prior supervisors, faculty/staff members, clients/customers.
Social Media- LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter give you instant access to a world of contacts. Visit LinkedIn’s Student Jobs 101 to get started on your LinkedIn profile if you don’t have one.
Once you create a profile, you can use LinkedIn to search for jobs.
Contact the Oglethorpe Office of Alumni Relations to connect with many of our dedicated alumni who are interested in offering advice to students interested in various fields:
Set up informational interviews with people in your network in fields you are interested in.

Create a Target List.

Because most jobs aren’t even advertised, coming up with a target list of employers you are interested in is a better strategy. Identify employers by checking sites like Glass Door or trade magazines. Go to employer sites and look at their job listings.

Check out O*NET Online, a free resource created by the Department of Labor that can provide you with occupational information to get your research started. The database, which is available to the public at no cost, is continually updated by surveying a broad range of workers from each occupation. Information from this database forms the heart of O*NET OnLine, an interactive application for exploring and searching occupations. The database also provides the basis for their Career Exploration Tools, a set of valuable assessment instruments for workers and students looking to find or change careers.

Check Handshake regularly.

Students and Alumni have access to a Career Database called Handshake to view openings posted by local employers and can also upload their resume for those companies to view.

Attend Career Fairs.

Oglethorpe is part of a small school consortium that plans a large career fair each fall, the Georgia Career Consortium, held at the Cobb Galleria Conference Center. Transportation is provided for students who are interested in attending. Additionally, we host one Career and Internship Fair each spring on campus. Check back here for upcoming dates.

Explore Internships and Professional Fellowships.

Visit our Internship section to learn how you can gain valuable work experience while obtaining academic credit at the same time. Fellowships are also excellent ways of gaining experience and expanding your network and skills.

Fellowships:
- are short-term opportunities lasting from a few months to several years
- focus on the professional development of the fellow
- are sponsored by a specific association or organization seeking to expand leadership in their field
Fellowship programs can be designed to support a range of activities including:
- graduate study in a specific field
- research to advance work on a particular issue
- developing a new community-based organization or initiative
- training and reflection to support the fellow’s growth
- opportunities to further explore a particular field of work

Volunteer with our Center for Civic Engagement.

Being civically engaged is a great way to make connections and gain important transferable skills. Volunteer Match can also help you find meaningful causes.

Consider Recruiters and Placement Agencies.

Many of these organizations can help you find full time or contract work. Some local recruiters that we work with: