Whether you’re just starting out or rethinking your path, this Internship/Job Search Resource Guide for Students walks you through every step: assessing yourself, exploring careers, gaining experience, marketing your strengths, and building your network. Use it as a roadmap to stay organized, focused, and intentional as you shape your future.
REFLECT
Before looking for a job or an internship, understand who you are and what you want.
Here are some questions that you can ask yourself to assist in your assessment:
- What are my top skills and strengths?
- What kind of work environment do I thrive in (independent, team-based, hybrid)?
- What are my core values (e.g., creativity, stability, helping others)?
- What motivates me?
- What kind of lifestyle do I want?
Don’t be afraid to use tools to help you throughout this process. Focus 2 is a wonderful resource to help you assess your values, skills, personality and work interests. If you need additional help, make an appointment with a Career Coach.
EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS
Start exploring jobs that match your interests, strengths, and values as soon as you’ve identified the type of work you want or what matters most to you.
Here are some great guiding questions to ask yourself:
- What majors or interests match specific career fields?
- What careers align with my skill set?
- What industries excite me?
The Career Center offers individualized coaching and various tools to help with your career exploration such as:
- What Can I Do With My Major – Helps you explore career paths, industries, and employers related to your major.
- Occupational Outlook Handbook – Provides detailed information about job duties, salary, education requirements, and job outlook for a wide range of careers.
- O*NET Online – Breaks down the skills, tasks, and work environment of different careers to help you understand daily responsibilities.
- NCCareers.org – Offers tools to explore careers, compare salaries in North Carolina, and match roles to your interests.
- Heels Engage – Connects you with UNC alumni for career conversations, networking, and mentorship.
TAKE INITIATIVE
Hands-on experience helps you build your skills and test your interests. There are various ways to gain experience including:
- Volunteering
- Job Shadowing
- Part-time jobs
- Internships
- Class projects and research
- Forage – Work simulators
- Parker Dewey – Micro-internships
- LinkedIn Learning
BUILD YOUR BRAND
Once you have an idea of what you are aiming for, market yourself! You may want to consider using a job tracker or a spreadsheet to keep track of information such as job titles and companies, deadlines of applications, people you have connected with, and so on.
Check various job boards including: LinkedIn, Indeed, company websites, and Handshake! You may want to also type in the title of the role you are desiring and include the words “job board” after to individualize your results further.
When diving into company websites, Read their About Us, Mission & Values, and Leadership Team pages and ask yourself:
- Does their mission align with my values?
- Are they doing work that I care about?
- Do I see myself contributing meaningfully here?
FINAL THOUGHTS
The job and internship process is meant to be a journey and a cycle – not a straight line. Be curious, stay organized, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or pivot.
The team at the UNC Career Center is here to support you—wherever you are in your journey.
