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Now that your student has some familiarity with college courses and life on campus, they can begin to consider what life might be like after college. There are steps your student can take in their second or third year to gain professional experience and make connections that can help them both at CU Boulder and beyond. Here are three things for your student to consider for the fall semester.

Finding internships

Even though it may seem like no one is hiring in these uncertain times, there are still companies looking to fill open internships and jobs right now. If your student is planning to have an internship in the near future, it can help to start preparing early.

One of the best places for CU students to find jobs and internships is Handshake. This is your student’s free one-stop shop for starting their career journey, and CU’s online recruiting tool used by thousands of employers. It’s available to all CU students, regardless of their major or year. Handshake is also where students can learn about career fairs and events throughout the year. If your student hasn’t set up their free Handshake account yet, encourage them to register today.

If your student has questions about navigating their internship search over the next year, encourage them to meet virtually with a career development advisor. Career Services is open for virtual visits over the summer via Zoom, phone or LiveChat on the Career Services website Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Ìý

Getting involved

It’s never too late to get involved, and involvement can look different for students at all stages of their academic journey. Whether it’s joining a new student organization, volunteering or becoming a peer tutor, getting involved can provide many benefits for students in their second or third year:

• Meeting new people and making friends

• Gaining experience for their resume

• Exploring new interests and hobbies

• Expanding on their academic studies

• Finding opportunities for leadership experience

Encourage your student to explore new ways to get involved this year. If they are already involved in an organization or program, encourage them to explore leadership roles and opportunities.

Establishing rapport with faculty and staff

Faculty and staff at CU can be an influential presence in your student’s journey, whether it’s someone who offers great advice, helps them accomplish their goals or is there to talk things out. Additionally, they also might share opportunities outside of the classroom, such as research projects or internships, and be willing to write letters of recommendation.

As your student moves further into their academic program and gets involved on campus, they can begin establishing rapport with the faculty and staff they meet. To start, encourage your student to attend faculty office hours (either virtually or in-person) during their first week of classes to introduce themselves. They can ask for guidance or tips for academic success in their class, or ask questions to get to know their professor better. Suggest that they plan to attend office hours regularly throughout the semester.

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