Beefing up those r?PIsum?PIs for summer jobs

With summer just around the corner, students everywhere are looking forward to some long-awaited time off - a period of rest and relaxation free of classes, homework and stress.

Despite the allure of taking a three-month break from everything school-related, many students are planning to use this coming summer as an opportunity to enhance their college experience.

Although many shudder at the thought of writing a r?(c)sum?(c), especially at this point in their college careers, the summer months can be a crucial time to build upon experiences, and in doing so add some beef to the r?(c)sum?(c).

Changing your summer schedule to include a good internship or related job experience, instead of just barbeques and beach parties, can be the key to a successful future.

Dan Ryan, the director of career services, said that r?(c)sum?(c)-building is a crucial aspect of a student's time in school.

"Grades are good," said Ryan, "but students really distinguish themselves by interning and showing that they have experience in their field. An employer is going to want to see some proof that you have done work in your major."

Angela Cole, a senior chemistry major, has been working for a year at her second college internship. Astella's, a corporation that manufactures and sells pharmaceutical ointments, currently employs her.

Hands-on experience and the possibility for recommendations and future career advancements motivates her to intern.

"I will probably end up working in a similar environment, in a lab somewhere," said Cole. "And right now it's good pay for a student like me and there's a good chance that I could get a job there after I graduate."

While it may be more convenient for students to take a simple summer job to make some extra cash, Ryan said a job related to your future line of work in even the smallest way is beneficial.

"A copy-writer at an advertisement agency or a file clerk in a law office; these are types of jobs that will get your foot in the door," said Ryan.

For students who may think they are too young to start an internship, the career services department at UB helps students line up internships. The department has trained counselors who assist students in finding relatable job experience and opportunities. Time goes by fast, and the sooner a student begins to get experience, the better.

"Some internships are paid and some offer credit, and some only offer experience, it all depends," said Ryan. "The engineering career institute offers a summer co-op that's really great here."

Interning, however, is not the only way to build a r?(c)sum?(c). There are a variety of ways that students can add color to their r?(c)sum?(c)s that don't necessarily include working in a professional atmosphere.

"Volunteering is a wonderful thing, and showing community spirit is important as well," said Ryan. "Pretty much anything that shows leadership skills is something employers look at."

Kristen Howard, a junior biology major, is volunteering in addition to interning in order to build her r?(c)sum?(c). The future veterinary school applicant knows that a solid r?(c)sum?(c) and multitudes of experience are the only way to provide access into her competitive field.

"I've worked for a small animal clinic for three summers in a row, and I've job shadowed with a large animal veterinarian," said Howard.

Howard currently volunteers at the Buffalo Zoo in their Mentoring Young Scientists program, and is looking for another internship-type job for the summer with a local animal clinic.

While some students may hate to think their summer is going to be anything more than long nights, new romances and a great tan, graduating with a solid r?(c)sum?(c) is worth the effort.

"The whole idea is thinking about what an employer you want to work for would want to see, and working towards that goal," said Ryan.

Students like Howard understand the advantages of gaining exposure to their chosen fields and building a r?(c)sum?(c) that will get them a job.

"It's important to see if you are really going to like what you're going to school for," said Howard, "the more experience you get the better."