Scholarships and
Internships
As a first-year chemical engineering student, you may
not feel you have the skills to start your co-op or internship
positions now. In fact, starting to prepare for them as soon
as possible is the best thing you can do as a freshman!
How can you start preparing now for an internship or
co-op another year or more down the road?
1. Decide Now where you want to go Later.
You may change your mind about it over time. However, if you
have some general idea what you're looking for some years from
now, it'll be easier if you've already decided where you want
to be, and have started working towards it!
2. Start looking Now for potential co-ops
and internships. Click
here for more advice on looking for co-ops and internships.
3. Work on your résumé Now so
it's ready when you need it. A good
résumé isn't written overnight. It's something
you keep adding to constantly. Brian Schwarz, the previous Director
of Field Experience, recommends updating your résumé
every six months "even if it's only to change a little punctuation,
just to keep it fresh."
4. Research your potential employers Now.
This is for many reasons. One of them is to learn now whether
you want to later apply there for a job, internship, or co-op.
It also allows you to learn now what they'll be looking for in
applicants, and gives you time to fit yourself to their position
and get ready if you ever have an interview
with them. Ask other people for information, or search online.
One resource is the Campus Career Network Career
Search (only accessible to UMass Students!)
5. Go to ALL your classes Now.
Being a good student now and learning good study habits now
will help you to be a successful student through your entire
college career. Brian Schwarz and Kym Whitehead, the previous
and present Directors of Field Experience, recommend reading
your textbooks and taking notes on the scheduled lecture BEFORE
going to class. "That way, you might not have to take any notes,
and you'll be reviewing the 'new' information in class!" says
Kym.
[Searching for Co-Ops and
Internships] [Online Resources]
