By Lauren Kazemekas '24Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic searching for and starting an internship is still possible. As internships have adapted to virtual or remote formats, many Marist students are successfully jumping at opportunities. Computer Science major Matt Moldawsky ’22 is one of them.
Late in 2019 Matt accepted a Summer 2020 internship with UPS. When the pandemic worsened the company was able to shift Matt’s experience from in-person to virtual. But how did Matt get the internship? He used a variety of Center for Career Services resources. “I had my resume reviewed multiple times and was able to connect with a representative from UPS at a career event at Marist,” Matt said. UPS had held an information session featuring Marist alumni and other employees who worked at the company to talk with students about full-time job and internship opportunities. During his internship Matt worked on improving a web application related to UPS deliveries. His work was put on a URL and sent out to his entire team at UPS. Matt said his journey at UPS validated that he wanted to continue pursuing opportunities in the computer science field. “I know more about what a job in this industry is like,” he said. Matt does not have a specific opportunity in mind for the next step in his career path, but he does want to continue exploring the technology industry. He revealed that he was fortunate to have the opportunity to intern during the pandemic. Matt believes his UPS internship shows that it is crucial for students to be persistent when searching for any opportunities to gain hands-on experience. His piece of advice to students is to “put yourself out there as much as possible”.
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Q&A between Lauren Kazemekas '24 and Rose Martillotti '21Student Success Stories show how Marist students used the Center for Career Services to find, apply for, and eventually secure their current or upcoming position. We will feature some success stories here on our blog as well as the Marist College Center for Career Services Instagram account. Outcomes for student success stories can include full-time employment, internships, or another form of professional development. If you would like to share your success story with us please email [email protected]. Today we will share a success story from Marist College psychology major Rose Martillotti '21. Lauren: When did you start your internship and what are some projects that you are working on? Is your internship remote or in-person? Rose: I started my internship on August 24 at the United States Military Academy, West Point, in the Center for Enhanced Performance. Through this fully in-person internship I have been able to learn more about the field of performance psychology by working with cadets and Division I athletic teams using training equipment such as virtual reality, alpha chambers, and biofeedback while being mentored by experts in the field. I assist the performance psychology trainers in development of goal sheets, imagery scripts, and workshop handouts. I also shadow the trainers’ work with Division I teams, small groups, workshops, and individual appointments. Lauren: How did the career coaches in the Center for Career Services help you earn this internship? What types of appointments did you schedule and how did the appointments help you improve? Rose: (A career coach) reviewed my resume so it was ready for the application process. Upon request of a cover letter from the Center for Enhanced Performance internship supervisor, I emailed the career coach to review my cover letter and help me make the necessary modifications. When I landed the interview, which took place on Microsoft Teams when everything was shifted to an online format, I used the InterviewStream resource that Career Services provides which really helped me prepare for the interview. I believe students should take advantage of all that career services has to offer. They should also try to start going early on in their college career so that they will be prepared for their job search..." - Rose Martillotti '21 Lauren: What are your career aspirations as you look past this internship?
Rose: As a senior at Marist I am currently applying to psychology graduate programs. I hope to get my PhD in Social Psychology so that I can one day teach at the college level and continue my research to contribute to the Social Psychology field. Lauren: What advice do you have for students who are looking for internships during the pandemic? Rose: Start applying as early as possible and don’t give up. I started applying for my internship at West Point very early in February and was accepted in July for the Fall 2020 semester. It might seem like it is impossible to find an internship due to the pandemic but there are many great opportunities out there, especially remote options, if you take the time to look. It is also very helpful to use all of the resources provided by career services to assist in your internship search. Lauren: Is there anything else you want to say about the Center for Career Services at Marist or your internship at the Center for Enhanced Performance Psychology? Rose: I believe students should take advantage of all that career services has to offer. They should also try to start going early on in their college career so that they will be prepared for their job search during senior year. By Lauren Kazemekas '24Connecting with company representatives during a virtual information session can be challenging at first. Amidst our new way of communicating during the COVID-19 pandemic we are all still adapting to using new software and networking in a group setting rather than one-on-one. When you participate in a virtual meeting through a program such as Zoom, WebEx, Microsoft Teams, or other video conferencing platform, there are steps you need take to be polite and appear professional. Here are some things you can do to put your best foot forward when participating in or hosting virtual meetings. Double Check Your Internet and Audio Connections First, make sure your Internet connection is stable. There is nothing worse than not being able to join the meeting in the first place (trust me). Ensure that your WiFi connection is adequate so you are able to be connected for the entire meeting or event. Most video conferencing software gives you the chance to test your speakers and microphone before you join your meeting, so definitely take advantage of that feature. There are ways to improve and perfect your audio prior to entering a Zoom meeting for instance. Once you enter the meeting make sure your microphone is muted and unmuted when appropriate. A simple mistake of forgetting to mute the microphone can result in distractions for other participants in the meeting. When you are not speaking, make sure to mute your microphone and do your best not to interrupt. Think about whether you should use headphones or your device’s microphone for audio. There are pros and cons to both options. With your laptop’s speakers, for example, it can be easier for you to hear other members of the group when they are talking. But at the same time, it might be harder for the other people in the meeting to pick up what you are saying. Remember that your device could pick up background noise, so if you aren’t able to have privacy during your meeting then headphones or earbuds could be a better solution than built-in audio. Ultimately, your choice should depend on the environment you’re in during the meeting and what makes you more comfortable. Have a Neat Appearance on Camera Make sure you look presentable as you would if the meeting were taking place in person. Professional attire is always recommended for virtual employer information sessions hosted by the Marist College Center for Career Services. If you are not exactly sure what to wear here are some general tips for virtual interviews or virtual information sessions. A big factor in your overall appearance is your background. You should be aware of your space and how it appears on video. A plain background is always safe. Be careful if you’re using Zoom backgrounds or other wallpapers because they can sometimes clash with your clothing. Setting your camera at eye level and framing yourself will also achieve a more professional effect. You don’t want the top of your head to be cut off. Take Note of Your Body Language In one sense it can be tempting to get lazy when connecting virtually. It’s easy to see a lack of close contact or physical connection and have your mind wander. However, it’s important to note that other participants in the meeting will pick up on common behaviors like looking down at your phone or browsing through other tabs on your device during the meeting. When you’re on camera make sure to keep your eyes up. Nodding your head is one key non-verbal indicator that you are interested in what is being communicated. Prior to the meeting do what you need to do to make yourself look alert and attentive whether it’s drinking coffee or maybe even standing up instead of sitting. Slouching or touching your chin can be cues that you are uninterested or disengaged. See this article for more tips on sufficient body language during virtual meetings. Be Precise with Your Verbal Communication Your words on the call should also carry a lot of meaning and purpose. Use assertive language and refrain from passive voice and self-minimizing words. For example, do not say “there is something I can run by you all if you’d like”. Instead, speak with confidence and say “I have a great idea to share and run by all of you”. This switch might seem minor, but it can alter your tone to make you look more mature and professional. With new ways of communicating during the pandemic it is crucial to emulate the characteristics and attitudes that we would convey in person and apply them in a virtual setting. Being present to other participants and confident in yourself can be projected through a screen. Following this advice will not only give yourself better chance of earning an opportunity, but will also make you an effective communicator when connecting with others in a digital environment. By Lauren Kazemekas '24 It can be extremely beneficial to begin professional networking early and often when you’re a Marist student. Networking is not about making short term or temporary connections, but rather building relationships over a long period of time through a series of mutually beneficial conversations. You should approach networking by putting yourself out there and thinking about how you can help someone who shares the same interests as you. Networking conversations can ultimately lead to valuable insight into possible jobs or career paths that might interest you. One effective way to start networking is creating a LinkedIn profile during your freshman year of college. I would suggest uploading a profile picture and listing your past activities or experiences so other people can get an idea of your background and knowledge. You are also able to add interests to your profile, follow updates from specific companies, and join groups on LinkedIn. If you join the Marist College Center for Career Services LinkedIn group you will see information about professional development events and opportunities for you as well as job and internship postings. When I started to look at LinkedIn profiles of upperclassmen at Marist I learned about the kinds of internships and other opportunities they’re taking advantage of. I was able to see the level of experience it takes to land an internship or full-time job after graduation. Their LinkedIn profiles showed me things I need to do to get where I eventually want to be such as joining more clubs, working an on-campus job, or seeking out internships. You should start to search for internships during the fall of your sophomore year. Most Marist students start interning after their sophomore year ends and companies often have early or rolling deadlines for summer internships. Starting your search and applications early in the fall will also leave enough time for you to review the content in your application a few times and make sure you have followed all of the instructions before you submit it. Meeting with a career coach or your internship faculty coordinator is a great starting point when looking for internships. Career coaches can help you prepare your application materials such as resumes and cover letters. Please make sure to schedule a remote appointment with a career coach using your FoxQuest account. Your internship faculty coordinator can also point you in the right direction by discussing options such as earning academic credit for your internship. There is a different internship faculty coordinator for students within each academic major at Marist. You can find yours here. The Center for Career Services also offers career fairs and virtual information sessions with employers for students to learn about various opportunities. It is never too early to make connections that can immensely help you down the road. Starting to network during your first year of college can benefit you in many ways and even make you stand out as a candidate for your future applications. Networking and searching for internships can seem overwhelming at first, but by taking small steps early during your time at Marist you can ease stress that can arise when searching for your next opportunity. |
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