Students blog

This past summer I worked as an intern in New York City, and it was a whirlwind of fun and chaos all at once. Moving to a big and hustling city like this was extremely exciting but was also very unsettling to be in a new place without any familiarity. I was fortunate enough to have a lot of friends from home and from college also living in NYC for the summer, so I was able to explore, try different restaurants, and walk around new areas as much as have time outside of work. For anyone that is moving to a new city for the summer or even for full-time, here are three tips to help you adjust to an exciting and fast lifestyle.

Get to know your coworkers.

While this might go unsaid, it is really important to make an effort at work both tangibly and socially. You may not think that your fellow interns or even supervisors would ever be the same people you see on the weekends – but you would be surprised. It is always nice to have a familiar face in the office, and around a big city. One of the most routine events on a Thursday afternoon is office happy hour, and you want to be a part of it! Becoming close with your coworkers can make all the difference when it comes to enjoying your time in and out of the office, especially if you do not know many people.

Sign up for classes.

I am sure everyone has some kind of hobby or activity they have wanted to pick up and the amazing thing about cities, is that they have pretty much any kind of class you can think of. Since being here this summer, I have gone to cycling, boxing, Pilates, and barre classes around NYC. While exercise is undoubtedly great for your health and lifestyle, attending classes is a great way to make new friends or even bond with a friend you are looking to spend more time with. If you happen to hate workout classes, look for group-style classes in cooking, pottery, yoga, minigolf and even jewelry-making. Even if you only try one a month, you never know what you might learn to love or who you might meet!

Walk around, especially without a destination.

I know this sounds cliché, but the best adventures around a city usually come as a surprise. The great thing about a place like New York City, is it is walkable and full of different stores, restaurants, and events in every nook and cranny. When I had a free day or a free afternoon, I always tried to grab a friend and go for a walk around a new area of the city. We could catch up and do some sightseeing. Often, this ended up with us walking into small and unique thrift stores or trying a new restaurant with the most delicious sounding appetizers. It turned out to be a great way to get familiar with a new place, spend quality time with my friends, and discover new types of foods and experiences.

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Networking is an essential skill that can significantly impact your college experience and future career. As a college student, developing a strong network can open doors to internships, job opportunities, mentorships, and valuable advice. Here’s how you can effectively network during your college years.

1. Start with Your Peers

Your classmates are your first network. They can offer support, study partners and eventually professional connections. Engage actively in group projects and join study groups. Building strong relationships with your peers can create a supportive community that lasts beyond graduation.

2. Get Involved on Campus

Joining clubs, organizations, and societies is a great way to meet like-minded individuals and expand your network. Whether it’s a professional society related to your major, a cultural club, or a hobby group, these organizations provide opportunities to develop leadership skills and meet people with diverse interests.

3. Attend Networking Events

Most colleges host career fairs, guest lectures, and networking events. Attend these events regularly to meet professionals from your field of interest. Prepare by researching the attendees and having questions ready. Remember to bring a resume and practice your elevator pitch to make a strong impression.

4. Utilize Social Media

Platforms like LinkedIn are invaluable for building a professional network. Create a compelling profile, connect with classmates, professors, and industry professionals, and join groups related to your career interests. Share relevant content and engage with others’ posts to increase your visibility.

5. Build Relationships with Professors

Your professors are more than just educators; they are valuable connections to the industry. Attend office hours, participate in class discussions, and seek advice on your academic and career goals. A strong relationship with a professor can lead to research opportunities, recommendations, and introductions to industry professionals.

6. Seek Out Alumni

Alumni can offer insights and connections that are incredibly beneficial. Many colleges have alumni networks or events. Reach out to alumni in your field, ask for informational interviews, and attend alumni gatherings to expand your network.

7. Volunteer and Intern

Volunteering and internships provide hands-on experience and networking opportunities. They allow you to meet professionals in your field and demonstrate your skills and work ethic. These experiences can lead to job offers and strong professional references.

8. Follow Up

After meeting someone new, always follow up with a thank-you email or message. Express your appreciation for their time and mention something specific you discussed to reinforce the connection. Regular follow-ups help maintain and strengthen relationships over time.

Networking as a college student requires initiative and persistence, but the rewards are immense. By actively building and nurturing your network, you pave the way for a successful career filled with opportunities and support. Start early, be genuine, and stay engaged, and you’ll find that networking becomes a natural and beneficial part of your college journey.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

What do you want to be when you grow up is a common question that children are asked in their youth. I feel very lucky that I always knew my answer. I want to be a teacher. Maybe it was because of the “superhero” teachers I met during my grade school years or maybe it was my love for learning, but I’ve always known exactly where I belonged: in the classroom.

This led to me to my dream school Rutgers University for their undergraduate Mathematics program and Graduate School of Education where I could earn my teaching certificate. As part of my undergraduate journey, I took a class called Undergraduate Supervised Tutoring in Mathematics for aspiring high school math teachers. Through this class, I had the opportunity to work with real high school math students one day a week for a whole semester. I was able to dip my toe into what my future could look like and became a teacher... come along my journey with me!

The First Day

As a student teacher, you step onto a path paved with lessons and experiences both in and out of the classroom, shaping the learning experience for your students while foraging your own personal identity. I was both excited and nervous stepping into J.P. Stevens High School in Edison, New Jersey on my first day of student teaching. I knew my role was to help the teacher in any way they needed and aid student learning in three different math classes – Geometry, Algebra I and Algebra II – but I wondered what the students and staff would be like and wasn’t sure exactly what to expect. I walked through the familiar high school-esque concrete walls, metal lockers, and colorful bulletin boards. My shoes squeaked on the floor tiles as I finally made my way to room 217, period 1 Geometry where I was met with 17 pairs of curious eyes. Even though I was a stranger in their classroom, the teacher gave me a welcoming smile and introduced me to the students who I could tell were intrigued, albeit confused, at the new face in their room.

Building Relationships

I went into student teaching knowing it would take some time for the students to become comfortable with me. I was a new personality coming into their classroom halfway through the school year, altering their classroom dynamic and everyday habits. Some of the students were intrigued, asking me where I went to college, what I was studying, and how long I would be in their classroom, while others were more hesitant to approach me. However, one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching in general for me is having the opportunity to form meaningful connections with students and establish a safe relationship, so I spent much of my first day introducing myself to every student and getting to know them. For the next couple of weeks, I continued this practice and engaged with every student during the period, asking how they were doing or if they needed help on a problem. Eventually, walls crumbled and shells opened up to the point where the students came up to me as they entered the room before class started to tell me about their weekend or the test they just took. Externally, I was as cool as a cucumber, but inside I was jumping with joy at the progress I had made!

Embracing Growth

There were definitely moments of doubt and uncertainty during my student teaching when I questioned my abilities as an educator. Especially in the beginning, I often second guessed myself and overthought every single action I made. Did I explain that clearly enough? Maybe I should have said ___ instead? That was definitely confusing for that student, I’m an idiot! And sometimes, I didn’t even have an answer to a student’s question which just left me thinking wasn’t I supposed to be the one with all the answers?

This is where my mentor teachers really helped me. They shared stories from their days of student teaching and how they felt the exact same way at first. Phew! At least I wasn’t alone. Even though I was in a “teacher” role, it was easy for me to forget that I was still a student at the same time, and this was meant to be a learning experience. I tried to adopt a growth mindset and learn as much from my students as I hoped they were learning from me. As the weeks passed, I witnessed a profound transformation within myself. Each interaction contributed to my growth as an educator, a student, and a person. I searched for feedback from the students and mentor teachers and applied it to future lessons, recognizing this as a catalyst for improvement. Through reflective practice and continuous self-assessment, I learned to spend more energy on trying to improve rather than putting myself down for mistakes or missteps. By the end of my student teaching experience, I felt I had honed my teaching skills and gained infinitely more confidence in my abilities.

So what is one piece of advice that I would I give to future student teachers? The best piece of advice that comes to mind is to be fearless. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, don’t be afraid to accept criticism and use it to better yourself, don’t be afraid to get to know the students, and don’t be afraid to be yourself!

Looking Towards the Future

The end of my first student teaching journey was bittersweet. I was sad to bid farewell to my students, but I was proud of what I had accomplished and my personal growth. Amidst challenges or lack of confidence, there were so many moments of triumph – seeing the spark in a student’s eyes as they grasped a difficult concept or watching a student have an “ah-ha” moment while working on a problem. These small victories served as reminders of the profound impact that teachers have on the lives of their students, reaffirming my passion for education.

I also knew that my student teaching journey was just getting started! Next year, I will begin my clinical phases and expand to full time student teaching! I’m so excited to embark on the next chapter of my teaching journey and learn more about what it means to be not just a good teacher, but a great one, before I have my own classroom!

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When students are seniors in high school, their biggest worry is finding the best university to attend in the upcoming fall. For seniors in college, it’s about finding the right career after graduation. For juniors in college, their whole concern is finding a co-op/internship that will eventually help them find that job in the coming year.

Finding a co-op/internship was one of the most challenging tasks I had to accomplish in my junior year. I was constantly checking LinkedIn or Handshake for postings, attending conferences every month, and completing interview after interview. After finally landing one of the most prestigious internships in my major, I moved across the country for the summer and went on some of the wildest adventures.

While many talk about the positives of internships, such as valuable experiences and networking opportunities, few prepare you for the potential drawbacks. Personally, one of the biggest challenges was being placed in an office without other interns. Many people will be placed with other interns, it all depends on the company and if they’re willing to take on that responsibility, but for me, I was alone, on the other side of the country, away from friends and family. Despite the loneliness, I cherished the opportunity and learned immensely, though adjusting to not seeing my friends daily was tough.

Another aspect to consider is the role itself. As an intern, you're often in a learning phase rather than handling full responsibilities like regular employees. There were days of boredom and busy work, yet the hectic days taught me invaluable lessons. There are a few cons to co-ops/internships, but I wish that somebody had told me about potential disadvantages, so I was better prepared.

Internships are also some of the most rewarding experiences a college student can have. Not only do they offer extensive networking opportunities, but they allow you to gain insights into your desired career. My internship program was split into multiple parts, allowing me to experience different roles and companies within my major, broadening my experience further. However, not all internships offer such flexibility.

Overall, my experience was positive. I was able to develop my skills and gain real-life experience. I encourage pursuing internships but advise thorough research into the company culture and environment. Understanding what to expect ensures your experience is fulfilling and beneficial for your future career. You want your experience to be truly fulfilling and the best it can be for your future career. So, while working towards your internship goals, remember to embrace adventure and enjoy every moment—make the most of your summer!

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Jobs and internships that require skilled writing will almost always request a writing sample with your application. Luckily, college is filled with writing, and I’m willing to bet you already have a rough draft ready to refine for your sample. With some fine-tuning, essays, memos, and creative pieces can become excellent examples of your work. Revise papers with the appropriate tone and style for the company or industry and showcase the skills you highlight in your resume for a compelling writing sample.

Setting standards for your writing sample

A good place to start when refining your paper is to decide what you like about it. Do you like the topic? The format? The impact of the prose? Depending on what you like about the paper, refine it to strengthen its other attributes. Ensure your paper meets your writing standards for writing quality, tone, style, and formatting.

Select an excerpt or revise and set your focus

Ultimately, you’ll want to trim your piece down and create two versions: a one-pager and something under five pages. Consider whether your writing sample should include your entire essay or just an excerpt (or both to account for both versions). When revising an excerpt or full piece, focus on the job and your brand. Make sure the tone is appropriate for the job you’re applying to. Recruiters in every industry want to see your ability to synthesize information into something that is clear and concise. Then, consider your primary skills and your personal brand. Does your writing sample represent you, your resume, and your talents?

Polish your writing sample and add an intro

Every job will be different and will likely specify their word count or page length preferences for writing samples. As mentioned in the section above, having a one-pager and something longer (3 pages is a sweet spot) should help you cover your bases. Add an introduction to all your writing samples that briefly explains where the piece comes from and why you selected it as your sample. Here’s an example:

This paper has been revised from a March 2024 submission for an American Politics assignment that analyzed shifts in dominant political parties in the United States. I chose this as one of my writing samples because it demonstrates my ability to synthesize original research into a concise summary and accessible visuals.

Note: While you want your writing sample to be polished and professional, you still want it to be representative of the quality of work your future employer can expect on a regular basis. Make it pretty but keep it real.

Prioritize your objectives for your writing sample

1. Show you can do the job — What does the job require? Memos, articles, visuals?
2. Support your resume — What skills are you highlighting? Research? Communication?
3. Make it memorable — What do you want the recruiter to remember about you?
4. Make it relevant — Bonus points for pieces relevant to the industry or job.

Polish your writing sample to submit to jobs and be on the lookout for future opportunities to add to your portfolio. When you have that magical moment at the end of a project where you review it and think, “not bad, Me,” set it aside to refine into your next professional writing sample. Revise it to show: (1) you can accomplish the job you’re applying to, (2) you can do what you claim in your resume, (3) you’re a culture fit, and (4) you have an interest in the work.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

As a college student I am constantly thinking about “what’s next”. How many times have you thought about a world beyond college? Did these thoughts make you anxious or stressed? There are many factors that affect the transition for college students into a post-college world. These factors can determine whether you have a positive transition out of college or a negative one. A college graduate can experience a career gap when transitioning due to a variety of reasons. There are two main reasons, which include not attaining an internship and a failure to network and build connections.

Internships

Finding a productive post-college experience is substantially influenced by the internship you attain. To begin with, completing an internship is a way to decide whether the career you are pursuing is the right one for you. Securing the correct internship can set you up with a possible job offer after college if it goes well. Moreover, internships provide a significant advantage for those who can secure them because they can be used as recent experience for the career or specific job you are pursuing. A good internship program looks great on your resume as well.

Networking and Connections

The connections that you build throughout your college journey have significant importance on your transition out of college, too. Networking while still in college can be positive post-college because it can make your job search process go more efficiently. For example, in the business world it is a lot about who you know; therefore, business students spend a lot of time connecting with professors and attending job fairs to build their networks. In fact, building your network by creating connections plays a significant role in getting your brand and name out in your career field, and, as a result, makes the transition out of college more effective and efficient.

The environment beyond college is a whole new world with all new challenges, opportunities, and people for college students to explore. Students should begin preparing for this transition as soon as possible because it can sneak up on you. Therefore, students should be given an idea and be prepared for all these new possibilities in this new world. Connections get you so far and help you find roles you never knew about or never dreamed you could reach. We never get anywhere by ourselves, so building connections and fostering relationships goes a long way.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

As a student taking steps towards my future career, I have learned some things you can take to secure that internship you have always been dreaming of. It doesn’t matter whether you are a freshman or a senior, these steps apply to everyone and can be used to help propel yourself to getting closer to that offer.

To start off, it is important for you to understand what type of industry you see yourself working in. This not only narrows down what you may be interested in, but it also allows you to tailor your documents that may be needed when applying.

Once you have figured out where you want to apply, now you must start preparing you respective documents. The first and arguably most important one is a resume. There are many resume templates online that you can utilize and reference. You can even reach out to a friend or colleague to gauge how they applied for a similar position using their resumes. The main points on the resume should be your contact information, list of achievements, and any activities or clubs that you may be a part of that are relevant to this job opportunity. Next, you want to edit and make sure the resume is clear and legible. Most recruiters look at an applicant's resume for a maximum of ten seconds, so it is very important you have an easy-to-read resume. This allows someone to quickly browse through and gain an understanding of the type of person that you are.

After you have created a resume, it is time to create a LinkedIn. This form of social media is very helpful in developing connections and staying in contact with your colleagues. It also can prove to be a place where future opportunities may present themselves to you. Here on LinkedIn, it is important you once again list your achievements and relevant experience to the industry you are seeking to work in. You can also feature a link to your LinkedIn profile on your resume.

Once both your resume and LinkedIn have been finalized, now comes the application part. It is important that you apply to as many jobs as you can that your experience matches up with. Rarely will the first couple of applications land you an interview. For me personally, whenever I have some free time or I’m bored, I’ll generally use that time to apply to a couple job postings. There are many sites one can use to apply to jobs. I tend to use Handshake and LinkedIn. Handshake is great as it's geared towards college students, so a lot of the job postings will be geared towards your level of experience. LinkedIn is also great as most employers utilize LinkedIn to recruit.

What also helps if you’d like to gain more experience is to join clubs at your university that are geared towards the industry you are interested in. If you like learning about cars and want to design cars, maybe try joining a car club on campus. Having activities and interests that are also aligned with what you are trying to pursue upon graduation makes your resume stand out even more.

The process to secure an internship can sometimes be disheartening, however it is important that you persist and continue trying. Even though initially you may not get the results you desire, if you are improving and trying every day, you eventually will get to your goal of securing your dream internship.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

After dozens of applications and nerve-wracking interviews, you finally secured your first internship within your perspective career field! Starting your first internship can be overwhelming, but I am here to say you’re not alone! Last summer, I completed my first internship as a Rice University Research Intern, and I want to share the lessons I learned so you can start your first day with a mindset that will help you succeed. I spent 10 weeks at Rice and while it was a struggle at first, I was able to successfully complete my internship thanks to these 3 lessons:

Manage Expectations

Coming into my first week, I knew how fortunate I was to be selected for my internship, so I placed a lot of pressure on myself to be the best. I took notes, stayed after hours doing lab work, and spent nights outside the office doing research on my research topic. While this helped me be productive, it also stressed me out as when I had issues like bad results, I began to think I was failing. I met with my mentor, and he explained to me that I am not supposed to know everything and that the whole point of an internship is to learn. This was eye opening for me as I finally realized I was my own problem. Simply put, understanding both what is expected of you and what you expect of yourself will prevent you from placing excessive stress upon yourself, and help you focus on learning as much as possible.

Relationship Building is Key

As an introverted person, I was very nervous about meeting new people, so I kept to myself for weeks. At first, it let me focus on my work; however, it eventually got lonely as I would spend hours alone doing lab work or typing up presentations. This changed when a new intern named Robert started and I was given the task of showing him around. Getting to talk with somebody helped me open up and eventually I was jamming to Taylor Swift with my lab mates and sharing stories about life. Building relationships with the people around is a great way to make your internship more enjoyable, but also opens doors to other learning opportunities.

Value Your Personal Time

Many internships are full-time or 40 hours a week, so if you don’t have any experience with that work schedule then it is an adjustment period. I remember struggling my first few weeks because I always felt tired and sluggish, but I was eventually able to get used to the hours. However, what made things worse was how I managed my personal time as I chose to stay late to keep working. The added hours and decreased time to spend with friends or on hobbies made me really dread getting up early in the morning for work. By setting the boundary that work does not seep into personal time, you can speed up your adjustment period and establish a healthy work-life balance.

Ultimately, your first internship is one of the most formative experiences of your life as it prepares you for your future. Keeping this value in mind, managing your mindset is one of the single best ways to get the most out of the experience as the right mindset ensures you are focused on what is important and not placing extra stress on yourself. While not the perfect guide to internships, I hope that these lessons offer some good insight and I wish you look with whatever internship you are about to start. I know you’ll do great!

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

Making the decision to go to college can be a challenging one for many individuals. People pursue higher education for various reasons, often revolving around job opportunities and career support that can shape their future. It's crucial to keep your goals in mind throughout your college journey and understand why you're there. For me, the primary objective was to ensure job security and I knew getting a good internship experience would be important. Here are four tips that helped me discover internship opportunities.

Engage in the Process

The initial step in landing an internship is to proactively put yourself out there, starting as early as possible. Even if it's just for practice, engaging in this process prepares you for the real deal. Attending career fairs at your school, especially those tailored to your major, is a fantastic idea, as it demonstrates your proactive approach and a clear understanding of your priorities, even as a freshman. Drawing from my own experience as an accounting major, attending career fairs as a freshman allowed me to engage with prominent accounting firms.

Be Professional

During career fairs, presenting yourself professionally is crucial. Dress appropriately, bring resumes to distribute to those you engage with, and inquire about opportunities suitable for your age and experience level. Don't forget to smile, share a laugh, find common ground, and collect business cards. Once it is over, follow up with a polite email to leave a lasting impression for future encounters. Building connections at these events, even if the timing isn't perfect for internships, establishes a foundation for future opportunities and networking in the professional world.

Build a Network

Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find many internship opportunities during your freshman year. Joining an accounting and finance professional fraternity on campus exposed me to more networking opportunities, leading to numerous offers from top firms during my sophomore year. Joining other campus organizations outside your academic interest is another effective way to expand your network.

Utilize LinkedIn

Build your LinkedIn profile as soon as you start college and then use it to connect with everyone you meet at career fairs, professional organization events, etc. These connections may lead to job recommendations and offer insights into securing internships and jobs. I highly recommend connecting with as many people as possible on such platforms, expanding your network beyond the confines of your campus. This played a crucial role for me in securing a prestigious internship with the world's largest Big 4 accounting firm for the summer after my sophomore year. That was followed by a return offer, which set the stage for a seamless transition to a full-time job upon graduation!

Securing that initial opportunity is undeniably challenging, but once you do, you're on the path to a potentially stable career. Even if you discover during an internship that it's not your ideal fit, the experience on your resume will undoubtedly set you apart in future job searches.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started!