Beyond the Job Board: Redefining Your Search for Experience

Written by Serigne Thiam, Graduate Assistant for the Graduate College

As a graduate student, you’re no stranger to hard work, late nights, incessant reports, and every other challenge that comes with pursuing higher education. You look forward to the day when you walk across the stage at commencement, diploma in hand—hopefully with a job offer waiting for you. But before that moment arrives, you're likely on the hunt for more work experience, whether through an internship, research role, or even a part-time job in your field.

Securing new work expereince during graduate school can be challenging, especially when the talent pool is filled with competitive candidates. You know how daunting it is to continuously scroll through job postings, tweak your resume, and tailor countless cover letters for each opportunity.

Whether you earned your bachelor's degree ten years ago or just two years ago, you bring unique strengths and talents that set you apart. Graduate school is all about refining your expertise and acquiring new skills. With strategic planning and creativity, you can enhance your job search, differentiate yourself, and unlock doors to meaningful opportunities.

While you're on the hunt for your next work experience, don't forget to keep in mind the wealth of university resources at your disposal, such as UC’s Bearcat Promise Career Studio, which offers an abundance of services and tools at your disposal:

• Drop-In Hours: Stop by the Career Studio in TUC 310.

• Individual Career Coaching: Career Coaches provide free career coaching on a wide variety of career topics, like salary negotiation and job offers. Request an appointment today.

• Interstride: An iteractive tool to enhance the experience of international students and employment potential.

• ResumeAI: BigInterview is an online tool that lets you practice job interviews. The ResumeAI tool provides feedback on your resume and suggestions to improve it based on an AI scoring guide.

Experience isn’t limited to time spent on the job—it includes everything you’re learning and accomplishing in graduate school. Many of UC’s graduate programs emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving, interdisciplinary collaboration, and independent research. These are highly valuable skills that employers actively seek.

Don’t just list your degree and overview of your experience on your resume. Instead, highlight key projects, research, and coursework that demonstrate not only your technical abilities but  your teamwork, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills. Use your experience to tell your story—show how you’ve developed professionally, gained new competencies, and refined your strengths.

It’s easy to fixate on a specific job title or company when looking for opportunities. While it’s great to have a clear goal, limiting your search parameters could cause you to overlook phenomenal opportunities.

Instead of only looking for internships, explore contract work, fellowships, or research assistantships that offer hands-on experience. While big-name organizations are tempting, smaller companies and local startups often provide more meaningful opportunities for students, allowing for greater responsibility and direct mentorship. A flexible and open-minded approach can significantly increase your chances of finding the right role.

Networking is one of the most powerful tools for discovering new opportunities, but for many graduate students, it can feel intimidating or time-consuming. However, networking doesn’t have to mean sending LinkedIn requests to everyone you meet or forcing awkward small talk at career fairs. Instead, think of it as building meaningful relationships organically.

Engage with faculty and alumni whenever possible! Instead of approaching professionals solely to make a connection, see them as invaluable resources—many of whom were once in your shoes. They have industry knowledge and career insights that can be incredibly helpful, and a simple email or conversation after class could lead to unexpected opportunities.

Student organizations are another goldmine. The friendships you form with peers can lead to a lifelong exchange of information, job leads, and professional support. The people you meet now may become future colleagues, collaborators, or mentors.

Patience and self-compassion are essential during the job search. There will be setbacks, but they don’t define your worth or potential. Instead of dwelling on rejection, focus on what you can learn from each experience.

You may have heard classmates talk about applying to 100 internships—which is impressive! But the reality is that they won’t land every single one. They may not even get responses from half. The job search is a learning process, and every application, interview, or rejection is an opportunity for growth.

Most importantly, don’t neglect self-care. Searching for a role can be mentally and emotionally draining, so set aside time for activities that bring you joy. Taking care of yourself will keep you energized and motivated to continue your search.

Searching for an internship or work experience is more than just a stepping stone—it’s an opportunity to reflect on your goals, explore your passions, and find what truly excites you.

As a graduate student, you’ve already demonstrated resilience and perseverance. You’re not just looking for any job or experience—you’re searching for the right fit. So take a deep breath, trust your abilities, and embrace the journey. Opportunities are out there—you just have to seize them.