First-year Friday: Using your Tar Heel family
By Jamal Little, UCS Career Peer
The internship search is a daunting task, especially for first-years, and it can be very difficult to break through the clutter of applicants and stand out. Fortunately, though, Career Services has a very useful tool: the Alumni Advising Network.
The Alumni Advising Network allows us, as students, to reach out and contact alumni that are currently in the workforce. It has proved to me as very helpful while I have been applying for internships. After sending my resume to an organizaztion, I searched the network to see if there is an alumnus currently working at the company.
Then, I just sent that individual an email introducing myself and expressing interest in their company and program. Tar Heels are more than often willing to help other Tar Heels!
Next time you send your resume to an organization, see if there is someone from UNC working there, and contact. It cannot hurt, and you may just find the perfect connection to help you get the internship!
