Locating Good Summer Job Opportunities
by Suzanne Jones, Career Services

Remember the age-old adage “The early bird catches the worm”? Well, many college-aged students believe that if they did not apply for internships during the previous winter, they cannot find a good summer job or internship opportunity. However, that is not the case at all! Each day, Career Services receives calls and information from employers still seeking students to work part-time, full-time, or as interns over the upcoming summer. Students may even be able to work on-campus while they are taking summer courses, either being paid directly from a department’s budget, or by using remaining or newly-available work study funds.

As much as possible, summer employment should be used as an opportunity to gain career-related experience. Whether working through an internship, part-time job, or volunteer experience, students can transfer skills and knowledge acquired during summer work to both the classroom and future employers. Here is a brief list of ways for students to locate good summer jobs:

• Talk to professors about career interests and potential employers in the community
• Visit the Webster University Library’s web site to access Sorkins Online directory, which provides valuable information on employers in the greater St. Louis area
• Interview family and friends working for companies in the industry of interest (e.g., neighbor works for Edward Jones and the student is interested in financial planning as a potential career)
• Use an Internet search engine to locate organizations of interest
• Contact Career Services to schedule a time to meet with Suzanne Jones, Assistant Director of Experiential Education, regarding job search direction and strategies

Above all else, remember that the best thing about summer employment is that it not only allows students to try out a potential career field, but it also gives them the opportunity to decide what they do not want to do after graduation. Too many students make career decisions based on what the “hot” show is on television, or where they think they can make a lot of money. Unfortunately, many of these same students are quickly discouraged when they discover the actual responsibilities they have in the workplace. Students are encouraged to take the time to assess their interests, skills, values, and personality traits prior to making career decisions, and Career Services staff can also help with this process.

For Off-Campus Opportunities: To view career-related part-time or internship positions, please call (314) 968-6982 or visit Career Services at 568 Garden Avenue to establish an online account in the eRecruiting database. To view non-professional full and part time job vacancies available in the St. Louis area, please visit Career Services to check the three-ringed binders located in the resource area.

For On-Campus Opportunities: Visit the web site of the Student Employment Program, at www.webster.edu/homecampus/homes/studentEmployment.html. Summer positions will start being posted in mid-April and will continue to be listed as available. Students interested in these positions should apply as directed or contact the supervisor listed for the position.