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Welcome to a special rewind episode of Motivational Mondays in recognition of National Internship Awareness Month! This week, we're embarking on a journey through the archives to bring you the best insights from our past podcast guests on navigating internships and kickstarting your career with confidence. Join us as we delve into the wisdom shared by internship/career experts Philip Wilkerson, Lauren Berger, Anna Taylor, Tim Taylor, and LinkedIn guru Mandy McEwen.
Unlocking Internship Success: Expert Insights from Philip Wilkerson and Lauren Berger
There's no better advice than that of productive thought leaders sharing valuable strategies to empower your professional journey. Internship experts Philip Wilkerson and Lauren Berger were the perfect guests for our previous webinar, How to Get the Most Out of Your Internship. Using their years of experience, Philip and Lauren explained how the right internship is more than a resume line item and can make all the difference in your career trajectory.
Navigating Career Transitions: Leveraging Diverse Experiences and Overcoming Internship Challenges
Lauren Berger emphasizes the importance of leveraging diverse experiences when seeking employment. She suggests that individuals should showcase their various experiences, whether they are from volunteer work, caregiving, part-time jobs, internships, or academic projects. Berger highlights the need for self-reflection and recommends creating a comprehensive list of these experiences.
Phil Wilkerson concurs with Lauren Berger’s advice but also highlights the challenges some individuals face in pursuing internships, particularly if they cannot afford to take on unpaid positions or if their life circumstances prevent them from participating without compensation. He suggests that for those looking to transition into new industries where internships may not be readily available, it's crucial to proactively create relevant experiences so that they bring you closer to your dream job.
The Power of Volunteering in Building Your Resume
Anna Taylor of The Greater Sum Foundation and Tim Taylor of America Success emphasized the importance of showcasing practical experience and skills gained through volunteering, highlighting its significance alongside internships on a resume. They suggested that volunteering for a cause dear to you can demonstrate a candidate's commitment, adaptability, and ability to work in diverse environments, making it a valuable asset for job seekers.
Anna and Tim’s advice is perfectly rounded out by LinkedIn rockstar Mandy McEwen who expressed the importance of letting your personality shine through your LinkedIn profile. As she states, of course, keep it professional but employers today are interested in learning more about their candidates as people; what drives their passions and ambitions, what’s important in their lives inside and outside of the workplace, and what makes them stand out from the crowd in a competitive job market.
Listen to this episode to learn about...
- [3:12] What are some strategies for networking and building professional relationships during an internship
- [12:21] Marketing your strengths when seeking internship opportunities
- [16:03] The perceived hierarchy of certifications, volunteering, college degrees, and social networking
- [19:52] The growing number of Gen Z users on LinkedIn
Tune in to the Members Only episode to learn about Corey Andrew Powell’s favorite internship memory
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