Table of Contents
If you’re looking for how to get student work for experience, that’s great! That means you’re proactive and have forethought. It means you’re planning to set yourself up for success!
The biggest hurdle in trying to get a job, especially as a new graduate, is the lack of experience.
Landing your first job is the hardest because you’re brand spanking new in the working world. You have no credibility. So how do you get ahead in life and get some student work experience while you’re still a student?
Here are 3 ways for how to get student work experience as a student
Internships
Find out if your school offers an internship. Make sure you do this directly through your school. If you do this through your school, it will be easier because they will help you.
If your school does offer an internship program, do it! This may mean you postpone your graduation by a semester or two, but it is definitely worth it! I know when I was in school, I did whatever I could to graduate as soon as possible. I just wanted to get my degree and get out there in the world.
And guess what? I struggled finding a job for 10 MONTHS. Because I had no experience. I was unemployed and jobless and struggling for 10 months.
Internships are an easy way for students to get experience and dip their foot in the working world.
They are easier to get than trying to find a job on your own because they are part of the school program. It’s like working with a recruiter or a temp agency. With that said, there will still probably be an interview. Although this interview is usually not as intense as an interview for a real job, you still need to make sure your interview skills are sharp.
Related: 5 Tips for how to ace a job interview
Internships also pay pretty well for a student! If you do well at your internship, you may even be offered a job immediately upon graduation!
Think about how amazing that would be. You wouldn’t have to struggle at all finding a job! No down time. No unemployment. No struggle.
Do an internship!
Companies and industry can also offer internship positions. However, these are also very competitive to get. You’re basically applying for a job. You can use job search sites such as indeed or follow certain companies on linkedin to see if they offer internship programs.
Again, applying for these internships directly with the industry is difficult to get as they are highly competitive and you are competing with absolutely anyone and everyone.
Work study program
If you qualify for financial aid, then you probably qualify for a work study program at your school.
Research if your specific school has a work study program. Work study programs provide part time work for undergraduate, graduate, or professional students with financial need. They were made to help students earn money and pay for educational expenses. However, they are a great way to get experience!
Even better, you could get specific experience related to your studies!
Work study programs are a specific program that your school participates in. Jobs commonly are on campus and you would work for your school. It can range from any position at your school from helping professors, being a research assistant, working at the library, or working in hospitality services.
When I was an undergraduate, there was a professor at my university that studied a very specialized topic. I wanted to get experience in this field to see if it was a potential career interest for me. The professor was hiring a couple of work study positions to help in the lab. I applied for the work study program and then the work study position.
Volunteer and extra-curricular activities
This isn’t the most ideal option because it is unpaid. However, it does gain you experience, which can be more valuable.
If you’re going to volunteer, make sure you are strategic about where you volunteer. If you’re going to work for free and volunteer, make sure you do it at a place that gives you specific experience related to the job or career you want when you graduate. That way you can put these valuable skills you’ve gained on your resume when you graduate and start applying for full time jobs!