Getting Experience

Employers consistently rank "on-the-job experience" as a top qualification that new college graduates should possess. Several types of opportunities can provide practical experience, and many of them take place in a professional environment. They include internships, cooperative education, summer jobs, part-time work, volunteerism, service learning, and work-study programs.

Listed below are some resources for Clarion University students interested in getting experience.

Information

• Getting Experience Narrated Video
• Getting Experience (.pdf)
  Learn about the importance of experience in helping you to make a major/career decision and in developing the qualifications that employers require.
• Why People Volunteer (.pdf)

How to Gain Experience

• Recognized Student Organizations
  Participating in student organizations is a great way to link your personal involvement on campus with your professional goals. Serving on a committee, planning an event, or holding a leadership position are only a few of the kinds of experiences you can add to your resume as clear evidence of skills that employers require.
• Community Service/Volunteerism
  Learn what steps you need to take to 1) register your interest in volunteering; 2) access a list of agencies, civic groups, service organizations, businesses, and special programs that currently seek individual and group volunteers; and 3) report your service hours.
• Community Service Work-Study Positions with Area Agencies
  Learn about the a limited number of off-campus work-study positions that provide students with work-learning opportunities related to education or career goals. 
• Part-Time Jobs
  Establish an account at www.collegecentral.com/clarion to access  a database of part-time jobs currently available on campus and in the Clarion region.
• Internships
  Access internship information.
• Summer/Seasonal Jobs
  Access summer and seasonal job information.
• Volunteer Opportunities
  Access volunteer information.