8 Ways You Might Find A Job or Internship This Year

Getting a job or an internship while at UC Santa Barbara is a great way to get relevant experience for your major, to acquire work study hours to help pay for college, or to meet and build connections with new people! Here are some resources and tips that I would like to share which have helped me during my own job hunt.

 

 

Managed through UCSB Career Services by counselors and staff at the university, GauchoLink is a free student website service that posts job and internship listings that are on-campus or nearby. By logging in with your UCSB NetID, you will have full access to a database full of recent listings and available positions. This site is updated frequently with position openings as they come and go, so make sure to check GauchoLink at least several times a week!

 

 

There are several on-campus job listings posted through Housing & Residential Services and the UCSB Alumni Association on GauchoLink, but there are some places on campus that are always accepting applications. Some of these include UCSB Dining Services (De La Guerra, Ortega, Portola, and Carrillo Dining Commons), Davidson Library, the Recreation Center (Robertson Gym), UCSB Bookstore, and other places in the University Center. A great thing to consider when getting a job is that on-campus jobs usually take your class schedule into high consideration before arranging your work shifts; employers understand that being a student comes first. There are also several perks at some of these places, including employee discounts or free meals at the dining commons!

 

 

Isla Vista is totally run by college students, and that statement isn’t justified just by the energy and vibrance of people biking up and down the streets. Many students have part-time jobs at the shops and restaurants in IV, and you can apply, too! Make sure you have several copies of your resume and your schedule handy, because most places will just ask for your experience and availability.

 

 

If you are trying to find relevant experience for your major or your interests, there are several (and endless) ways to get involved! There are hundreds of student groups – specifically 680 different registered organizations – that you can join or use as a resource. While many of these groups are recreational, there are also many that are major-specific or professional including the Accounting Association, Pre-Pharmacy Student Association, American Marketing Association, and the Environmental Affairs Board. Many of these groups have first-hand knowledge of new internship opportunities, as well as dynamic student leaders who may have the ins and outs with another group of your interest! You can find all the organizations registered under the Office of Student Life at http://orgsync.com.

 

 

Many companies choose to market their services or products through various universities by hiring dynamic student leaders on campus. These positions can help you build your resume while taking on responsibilities that require less time commitment than an internship. Plus, the perks and benefits are just as good! Most of the responsibilities of a campus representative of a brand include social media marketing, event-planning, and networking with other student groups and organizations on campus. It’s a great way to meet new students on campus, build relationships with managers in the company, and make a weekly stipend or small cash on the side! Some of the many companies that have campus rep programs include Amazon, Chipotle, Spotify, Victoria’s Secret PINK, Pura Vida Bracelets, and Serengetee. You can also register on https://www.thecampusjob.com for more listings from several start-up companies, which are updated several times a day!

 

 

Becoming a research assistant in your department of study is an opportunity that is especially unique to college students because working under a researcher is not something everyone has the chance to do. To be eligible for these opportunities, students must meet a minimum GPA requirement – this is important to check within your department if you are thinking of taking a research assistant role in the future! Research experience will give students learning experiences they can only gain outside the classroom, and these can help you find what field of study you find most intriguing while allowing you to become familiar with faculty and graduate students. Building these connections can lead to a quality letter of recommendation. For more information about research opportunities within your department, talk to an advisor or professor you have and ask about ways to get involved!

 

 

There is one career fair held each quarter by UCSB Career Services, and multiple career fairs held by each department throughout the year. To be admitted to these career fairs, you must have had your resume reviewed by UCSB Career Services and be dressed professionally. Many potential employers from several big companies will be there to meet you and take your resume, so be prepared!

Career Day Conferences are great events to open your eyes to new and different opportunities for jobs and internships, as well as chances to connect with UCSB Alumni and other potential employers. They are run by each department, so make sure that you are subscribed to your department’s email list for important announcements and events.

 

 

Lots of times, friends and family that you know may have connections with someone who can help you with what you need! Get in touch with the people in your network in order to proactively find an opportunity that you may not have even thought of yourself. A great way to connect with others is through LinkedIn, a professional network that many employers and students use to build profiles that reflect their work experience and business-oriented interests. UCSB has a “Jobs & Internships” Facebook group that many students post and respond to as well!

 

 

• Get your resume or cover letter critiqued. UCSB Career Services offers critiquing services for a resume or cover letter you are sending out to a potential employer. Because employers will skim each resume quickly before passing it off, it is important to make it easy to read and stand out among others. It is also important to cater your application toward the specific position you are applying for. Counselors can help review your resume as a potential employer would, so make sure you stop by!
• Be proactive and persistent. The job or internship you want is not going to come to you. You need to be the one who is actively searching and applying for things that you qualify for and would be interested in. Make sure you follow up (phone over email, but either is better than none!) after submitting your application, and again after your interview.
• Before interviewing for the job, do your research. It doesn’t hurt to know the CEO or manager of the department you are applying for. Also, having background knowledge of the company’s history is something not a lot of people make the effort to do, but this may impress your potential employer if the opportunity presents itself. Be prepared, be confident, and be professional.
• Third, fourth, and maybe fifth time might not be the charm. Don’t get discouraged if you do not get a reply or get rejected from the places you have applied. There are many competitive positions that many students who are just as qualified as yourself are trying to get. There is an opportunity out there waiting for you to snag – just keep looking!