References

References are essential elements to a resume that can further solidify your hiring at a company. Companies look to references to gain further insight on: who you are as a person, what type of work ethic you possess, and what type of skills you bring to the table. Furthermore, references can either make or break you. Be sure to ask before adding someone to your resume as a reference; this can backfire and become a very messy situation if the reference does not know of you adding them as a reference. In addition, make sure that you have a well-developed relationship with the person you chose as a reference.

Next, after choosing the appropriate reference, it’s time to prepare them to be able to speak informatively about you in the letter; this should involve giving them a copy of your resume, talking with them about your goals and aspirations, as well as, informing them of the position you are applying for and the job requirements; this will allow them to tailor your skills to the position and speak strongly about you as a candidate.

Lastly, follow-up and thank them for taking the time out to write the reference letter and be sure to keep them updated on the outcome of the whole process.

All You Need to Know about Internships

Internships are a great opportunity to get experience in a field that is interesting to you! Whether you're interested in a specific career path, major, or simply curious about what a job requires, internships offer real life experience for academic credit.

Benefits of internships include:

• Test potential career paths without a permanent, full-time commitment.
  
• Develop competencies and gain knowledge that employers seek when hiring college graduates.


• Explore and clarify your major and career goals with professionals in your field.


• Establish a network of professional contacts and mentors who may serve as references and assist you with your professional, full-time search.
  
• Increase your marketability for your full-time employment and admission to graduate school.
  
• Take responsibility for your own learning and create a more rewarding college experience.
  

Career Services is offering an Exploring Internship Workshop a few times throughout the semester. Anyone curious about internships will benefit from this workshop, so come find out anything you would want to know about how to get an internship.

To begin the process of interning, you will need to attend an Internship Registration Workshop, offered every Tuesday at noon in Career Services, Bonds room 104. Pre-registration isn't necessary.

The following resources can help you locate an internship:

• Office of Career Services
  
• B-W Career Network
  
• ClevelandIntern.Net
  
• Annual Career & Internship Expo
  
• Family, friends, faculty, and staff contacts
  

Remember that you must have at least Sophomore status, carry at least a 2.0 GPA, and meet the criteria established by the specific department/division and the Office of Career Services.

Examples of places B-W students have interned in the past include:

• The Cleveland Museum of Art
  
• The FBI
  
• The Cleveland Clinic
  
• The Cleveland Indians
  
• The Cleveland Cavaliers
  
• The Cleveland Browns
  
• The Cleveland Orchestra
  
• The Great Lakes Theater Festival
  
• FirstEnergy
  
• Earth Day Coalition
  

Further information and guidelines about internships can be found on the B-W Career Network, the Career Services website, and by calling or stopping by the office of Career Services, located in Bonds room 104. Start planning for this terrific opportunity!