Foundation year student? Concentration year student? Advanced standing?

No matter what year you are in, or where you are at in your social work program, you may be feeling some type of pressure to begin planning out your future. This could be trying to figure out where you want to intern next year, or where you want to work this summer! You may look around in your classes and notice students are looking more stressed, or you may hear rumblings of discontent.This time of year can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be! I am writing today about tips and helpful hints, to stay clam, cool, and collected this time of year.

                                                          Foundation year

New internships are on the horizon. You may be asking yourself what you want to do next year and where you want to be. Below are helpful hints and tips to guide you through this process.

• Plan ahead! If you need to have your resume reviewed by career services or a friend. Did you know that you could email me or Lisa for resume guidance. My email address is kristcha.deguerre@du.edu and Lisa’s is lisa.Ingarfield@du.edu. We can give you tips and edits regarding your resume. 
• Tip: It is suggested that you customize your resume for every agency and program you apply to for next year’s internship. Make sure your resume highlights previous similar experiences, show the agency what work you have done that is relevant.

• Practice, practice, practice. Make sure you practice your interviewing skills, have a elevator speech ready. Know that interviews can be unique and that you can be asked unexpected questions. 
• Tip: An elevator speech is a clear, brief message or “commercial” about you. It communicates who you are, what you're looking for and how you can benefit a company or organization. It's typically about 30 seconds, the time it takes people to ride from the top to the bottom of a building in an elevator.

• Try to AVOID the rumor mill. You may hear false information such as “All the good internships are taken” “There is not enough internships for everyone.” These are both not true! Did you know that there are more internship placements than students? 
• Tip: Attend upcoming career workshops, that are offered at GSSW. Click here.

• TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! Practice self-care. This is a stressful time of the year, but you you take time for yourself it can be less stressful! 
• A great list of self-care ideas can be found here.

                                         Concentration year/advanced standing
For all you concentration year and advanced standing students, it is jobs that may be on our mind. “What am I going to do after graduation?” may be a question you are grappling with. If you are asking yourself this question, below are some tips for you.

• Reach out to career services at GSSW to talk about your hopes for after graduation, we can help with resume review, job interview skills, and to talk through any career questions.
• Tip: It is suggested that you customize your resume for every job and program you apply to for next year’s internship. Make sure your resume highlights previous similar experiences, show the agency what work you have done that is relevant.

• Network,network,network! Start to ramp up your networking. Meet with people in the field who are working in areas that interest you to learn from them. This kind of networking isn’t about asking for a job it is about building your connections and developing your professional reputation prior to beginning your job search. Contact alumni and employers to set up informational interviews on a weekly basis.

• Attend Workshops- GSSW and the main DU Career Center host  numerous workshops throughout the year  to help  you prepare for the job search. These include resumes,cover letters, licensure,salary negotiation and financial planning.Watch your email and check the GSSW Career Development website for details. Click here.
• Tip: March/ April: Begin applying for jobs There is a benefit to applying for jobs before you graduate because your job search could take as much as six months, sometimes longer.You will get practice at crafting cover letters/resumes and interviewing skills as well as make contacts in the field. If you see a position that you like that requires an MSW,  reach out to them to ask if you can apply prior to receiving the MSW (since it will be expected). This shows interest and initiative.

Please review the career timeline for concentration year and advanced standing students, click here.