By: Natalie Batten
CMU’s PRSSA chapter is busy preparing for the annual internship fair. There are more than 20 companies from all over Michigan coming to network with our students. For some of you, attending the internship fair may be a no brainer, but for others who might need a little more convincing, here are seven benefits of attending the internship fair, even if you’re not looking for an internship right now.
1) The opportunity to get a job or an internship
This is an obvious benefit but still worth mentioning. All of the work we put in throughout our time in college is to graduate and get a job. An important step along the path is getting internships. At CMU, IPR students need an internship to graduate. Applying for jobs and internships is a lot of work and stressful because it can be difficult to get in contact with companies or know who to talk to. At the internship fair companies are coming to you and they’re attending because they are interested in hiring CMU students for a job or internship. This is one of the best and easiest opportunities you have.
2) The opportunity to network
With companies, agencies and even a baseball team attending, there will be plenty of different professionals to talk with. They are genuinely interested in getting to know you and by introducing yourself and making conversation, you will start to make a name for yourself. Even if you aren’t looking for an internship this year, attending the fair and connecting with companies will make professionals more likely to remember you in the future. They will appreciate your dedication to their company and building a relationship with them.
3) You will gain confidence
For most people, the thought of putting yourself out there to established professionals and successful companies is a mix of excitement and nerves. Being able to network and engage in professional conversations are important skills that we will use often in our future careers. The internship fair is a great opportunity to start practicing these skills. Even if it feels uncomfortable at first, you will gain confidence the more you do it, so take advantage of these opportunities to practice. The companies attending hope for you to put your best foot forward, but they also understand we are students who are eager to learn and gain experience. They remember what it was like to be in our shoes and they’re attending the fair because they want to help us.
4) It will be motivating
In college it can feel like we are putting in a lot of work for a long time without any huge rewards. For some people it can be tough to see the big picture while you’re in the middle of the chaos of assignments, exams and club commitments. The internship fair is a great opportunity to re-ignite your passion for public relations and remind you why you are working so hard in the first place. For at least one day, it will bridge the gap between student life and professional life. It’s a great reminder that all of this hard work will pay off.
5) It will help you decide what area of PR interests you
As mentioned earlier, there are a variety of companies and agencies attending the internship fair. This is the perfect chance to talk to professionals who do the type of work you are considering for your future. Remember, this gives us the opportunity to ask the professionals questions so take the chance to do so. Also, speak with some companies that aren’t your first choice. You may be surprised at who you end up connecting with and being interested in. If you end up not having any interest in the company then, it’s a great re-affirmation you are looking in the right place after all.
6) There will be a lot of learning opportunities
PR professionals attending the fair are eager to share their knowledge with students. They love answering questions, giving advice and even looking over resumes or sharing tools they use in their daily jobs. Although the internship fair is a slightly different setting, you will definitely pick up some tips and tricks. You will also learn a lot about what it is like to be in a professional situation, which will help you to be more successful in the future.
7) It will give you an opportunity to show off your hard work
As college students, we are working really hard to make our dreams come true and to land our dream jobs. It can feel like a lot of work, without a lot of recognition. Yes, getting a good grade on an assignment is an encouraging feeling, but sometimes loses impact if no one but your professor ever sees it. This is your chance to get dressed up, put your work together and show off everything you have been learning and creating. Be humble but don’t be afraid to show pride in your work. We put a lot of effort into creating the work that fills our portfolio, and now this is our chance to shine and show it to PR professionals who are genuinely interested in seeing what we’ve been doing.
Overall, the internship fair has something for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you are a senior getting ready to graduate in December or a first semester freshman who isn’t even sure if PR is for you. This is a chance to make connections, gain experience and celebrate your achievements without a single dime coming out of your pocket. We can’t wait to see you at the internship fair on Nov. 6 from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. in the UC Rotunda.