Getting undergraduate work experience is usually as straightforward as getting any other type of work experience. You need to find jobs that interest you and apply for them until a suitable job has been obtained. Luckily, there are actually many work experiences that are open only to undergraduate students, making it possible for many students to find jobs more easily than they might were they not enrolled in college. Internships, work study, and student jobs allow students to find employment that fits with their studies. Sometimes, it is even possible to find undergraduate work experience that relates directly to your field of study in school.
Many undergraduate students obtain work experience simply by applying for jobs. These can be jobs open to anybody, or they can be jobs open only to students. Colleges often maintain a listing of job openings on campus that hire only students. This not only reduces competition for these jobs, but also ensures that employers will understand the pressures of being in school. One thing to keep in mind when looking at these jobs is that the number of hours that can be worked may be limited by the college or another agency.
Another kind of undergraduate work experience in the United States of America involves working off-campus but getting paid through a special program called Federal Work Study. The funds used to pay students working in this type of job come from the government, but the jobs are available in a variety of fields. Undergraduate work experience of this type requires some planning, because the funds must be granted based on financial need, which involves a financial aid application. Work study jobs are often very stimulating and interesting, and some are available for employers who would normally ask for volunteers.
Paid internships are arguably the best type of undergraduate work experience because these opportunities are almost always in interesting fields. Undergraduates can gain experience working in highly specific areas like archaeology or marine biology and may learn valuable skills relating to their careers. This type of experience also looks good on both academic and professional resumes.
Each of these types of undergraduate work experiences requires initiative on the part of the applicant. Most employers, particularly within colleges, do not expect students to have much experience before attaining this type of job. Even so, it is still important to follow directions given in job advertisements and dress well at the interview. Undergraduate work experience cannot only help a student fill out his or her resume, but also gain valuable experience with applying for jobs and performing well in interviews.
