With summer approaching, the University of Indianapolis and companies in the Indianapolis area are posting summer jobs and internships on Handshake. By creating a profile and uploading a resume, students can apply directly for a majority of the positions from Handshake.
Director of Career and Community Integration Betsy Knott said that summer jobs and internships are important opportunities for students.
“There are lots of levels of importance. To some degree, I would say it depends really on what it is that you’re trying to accomplish out of your summer,” Knott said. “Everybody has a different motivation and a different priority. But working in general—whether it’s part-time, full-time, [or an] internship—is always going to give you more information about likes and dislikes of what you want to do with your life full-time.”
Associate Vice President of the Professional Edge Center Corey Wilson has a similar view.
Graphic by Melvin Mendez
“Practice makes perfect, so starting early in your experiences from working at a summer job or an internship is going to help you,” Wilson said. “It’s never too early to start thinking about getting that experience. The more practice you have, the more clarity you’ll have at the end, when it’s time for the real opportunity.”
Wilson and Knott highlighted a few of the hundreds of opportunities posted on Handshake. One of the jobs available to students is with UIndy’s Office of Admissions.
The summer ambassador positions work with the admissions staff from May 31 to mid-August to recruit and welcome future students. They not only help with the day-to-day duties of the admissions office, but also work registration days, sit on student panels as needed and attend out-of-state receptions.
Some of the off-campus companies with summer opportunities include Baldwin and Lyons Inc., the Indianapolis Zoo and the Indiana State Government. Baldwin and Lyons Inc. is offering internships in a number of its departments, including graphic design, human resources and auditing.
The Indianapolis Zoo is looking for ticket takers, ride operators and seasonal camp counselors and has a variety of other positions as well. Students can apply for the Governor’s Summer Internship Program with the Indiana State Government in various departments, including human resources and content development.
To help students feel prepared for summer jobs, internships and their future careers, the Professional Edge Center is continuing to host events. On Wednesday, March 23, at 10 a.m. in the Krannert Memorial Library, the Professional Edge Center is holding a resume workshop. At the workshop, students can have their current resume reviewed or get help starting one.
More information of the Professional Edge Center’s upcoming events is available on the events page on Handshake. Students also can make one-on-one appointments with Professional Edge Center staff members for resume reviews, interview tips and help with finding summer employment opportunities.
In addition to attending Professional Edge Center events, Knott suggests that students tell others about the opportunities they are interested in.
“Tell people what you’re looking for,” she said. “That includes the Professional Edge Center, that includes your parents, that includes faculty, that includes your RA, that includes anybody who might have a vested interest in making sure that you are successful at the level that you want to be successful at.”
Wilson advised against waiting to figure out summer plans.
“Don’t wait until May to start thinking about what you’re going to do this summer. Spring Break is a great time to really start that process with yourself of thinking [about] what you want to do,” he said. “As soon as you come back from Spring Break, come see us [The Professional Edge Center], because we’d like to help you connect with whatever that may be.”
