Develop Skills and Build Experience

(NOTE: Links to non-UNI Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement)

Know What Employers Want and What you Have to Offer

There are certain skills that employers seek from job seekers and new graduates besides the specific skills required for a particular job position. These skills are not job specific and can be applied to many different occupations, You probably already have some of these skills developed through coursework, projects, hobbies, sports, jobs, internships, and etra-curricular activities. It is important that you identify which of these critical skills already you have and develop the ones you don't have to increase your employability. These skills are called "transferable" or "soft" skills

Plan for a Co-op Or Internship Experience

All academic departments at UNI offer a course number (xxx:179) for co-op/internship credit coordinated through the UNI Co-op/Internships Program from Career Services.

Some academic departments offer additional internship experiences that are separate from those offered by the Co-op/Internships Program. Check the course list for your department in the University catalog or ask your faculty advisor how to locate and create these opportunities.

Remember that a part-time or summer job that you already have may be eligible for co-op/internship credit, if the work is substantial and career-related. Check with professional staff from the UNI Co-op/Internships Program to see if your job could earn you credit toward graduation.

The Washington Center Internship Program helps students from all majors find internships in a wide variety of settings – government, for-profit, and nonprofit – in Washington, D.C. and surrounding areas. The UNI liaison for this program is Al Stamberg.

Don't Overlook Volunteering

Consider On-campus Jobs

On-campus jobs can provide opportunities to develop such skills in communicating, working as part of a team, dealing with the public, and so on. Other campus jobs can even offer opportunities to earn career-related experience. Check with Financial Aid for job openings in a variety of offices around campus.

Financial Aid Job Board
Wellness and Recreation Center
Department of Residence (including Dining Services)

Note: Your on-campus job or volunteer experience might be eligible for co-op/internship credit. Visit with professional staff from the UNI Co-op/Internships Program to see if your job qualifies for credit.

Get Involved in a Club or Organization

UNI offers over 200 student organizations, from governmental groups to interest groups to fraternities and sororities. Taking an active role in an organization can help you develop skills and gain experience in communicating, organizing, planning, promoting, managing--the list goes on. Check out the possibilities on the list of UNI student organizations and the list of fraternities and sororities on campus.

Ask Faculty About Research Opportunities

Many academic departments at UNI offer students opportunities for independent research or research with a professor. Check with your faculty advisor or academic department to find out how to locate opportunities.

Learn to Speak Another Language

Why Study a Foreign Language (Click on links at the top of the page for specific languages)
Teaching and Non-Teaching Majors and Minors at UNI
Certificates in Language Studies

Note: You may be able to shorten the time to complete a language major, minor, or certificate by taking a CLEP test to pass out of some lower-level course requirements, if you took language courses in high school. Check with a Modern Languages faculty member for the language that interests you to see how CLEP tests could be helpful.

Consider International Opportunities for Internships/Traineeships/Volunteering/Temporary Work

Important Notice

The information on this website may not be used for commercial purposes and is not intended as a substitute for the advice of qualified professionals. We encourage you to visit UNI Career Services in person whenever possible. Links to any resource should not be interpreted as an endorsement of or contractual relation with any product, viewpoint, organization, or individual and UNI Career Services. Upon creation of this informational resource, links to other locations were up to date and accurate. This information is, however, subject to change without notice. Please notify us about broken links.