Student Perspective: Help Improve Yourself with an Internship

Submitted by Amanda Austin, Career Services Advisor

See how HPU senior Wesley Chai participated in an internship that utilized his Criminal Justice major and Writing minor in a new start up legal website in South Carolina. Chai had the guts to go outside what is comfortable to gain experience in his program. He describes the value that internship experience can provide and encourages other students to take advantage of internship opportunities.

Chai got it, when he said, “All in all, internship experience makes you a better job candidate, and helps you to decide what type of career to pursue. It provides you with the building blocks you will need for your future.”

What particular services from the Career Services Center did you find most helpful?

Chai took advantage of the HPU Career Services Center’s resume writing and review assistance. In Chai’s words, “Nobody can ever underestimate how important it is to have a good resume.” The Career Services Center provides resources to help prepare you for the transition to career development.

Chai’s Three Learning Outcomes from Interning…

·         I learned to combine approaches from management, law, and the behavioral science to apply them to the situations I was studying.

·         I learned to think critically.

·         I learned to demonstrate dynamic and effective written communications skills.

What advice would you give to other students considering taking on an internship in their program of interests?

“Go for it…By participating in an internship program, it demonstrates initiative. It helps you to learn more about yourself; you gain clarity on your strengths, weaknesses, and interests, and it enhances your resume and increases your professional confidence.”