Think you’re not ready? That’s exactly why internships exist—to help you build skills, not prove them.
For Third-Year Juniors • First-Year Transfer • First-Year Graduate Students
This step helps you apply your learning in real-world settings. From internships to jobs to research, now’s the time to gain experience, build your network, and show employers what you’re ready for.
What To Do
Open each item to find links, tools, and support to help you take action.
- Choose résumé-building experiences that match your interests and use our Career Action Plan Template to plan ahead.
- Join a student org related to your career
- Volunteer at a site aligned with your goals
- Assist faculty with research
- Get a student job or internship in your field
- Go to the Jobs tab in Handshake and use the “internship” or “fellowship” filter to start your search; use keywords that match your interests, like community outreach, public policy, research assistant, program coordinator, or media production.
- Apply early — most internships and fellowships open 6 months before they begin.
- Attend events labeled “employer info,” “hiring,” or “career fair” in the Handshake Events tab.
- Go to the Employers tab on Handshake and use the "industry" filter to search by your interest, such as movies/TV/music/gaming, social assistance, biotech & life sciences, or healthcare.
- Follow employers you're interested in to get updates when they post jobs or career tips.
- Use our Résumé and Letter Builder to customize your résumé for each opportunity; use the AI résumé alignment tools to make sure your résumé fits the job description (available inside the builder).
- Start with our modern cover letter sample in our Résumé and Letter Builder; use the AI cover letter rubric and alignment assessment to make sure your cover letter matches the job (available inside the builder).
- Add samples of your class projects on Handshake.
- Upload your professional photo — free at our Career Photo Booth.
- Create or improve your LinkedIn profile using our LinkedIn Profile Checklist; use our Professional Brand Worksheet to build your professional brand intro.
We’re Here to Help
Career Guides
Get Support
Schedule a Career Center appointment through Navigate LA (Student Life & Wellness) for:
- Job/Internship Search
- Résumé & Cover Letter Writing
- Interview Practice
- Career Clothing Closet
Call: 323.343.3237
Email: [email protected]
Visit: Between the Student Health Center and the University Gym
Hours: M-Th, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and F, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.