LSU Students Leverage the Value of Internships to Gain Career Readiness
July 22, 2024
Reagan Courville visits a re-creation of the historic security gate all Manhattan Project workers passed through to enter Los Alamos. Over the summer of 2024, Courville interned at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, established in 1943 to conduct scientific research for the Manhattan Project, an allied effort that developed the world’s first atomic weapons.
– Photo provided by Reagan Courville
Internships can be pivotal to a college student’s career readiness by offering invaluable real-world experience, enhancing essential skills, and fostering professional networks.
LSU assists and supports students as they prepare themselves for the workforce, promoting internships to supplement academic knowledge with its practical application in a professional setting.
At LSU, students can earn credit for their major while participating in certain internships. Students should speak to an academic advisor for more information.
Q&As with LSU Student Interns
- Julia Palin on internship with the New England Patriots in the summer of 2023
- Anna Rathor on internship at the LSU Health New Orleans Medical School in the summer of 2023
- Reagan Courville on the Department of Energy's Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship 2024 program
Finding Internships
LSU offers resources and opportunities to learn about internships, including career fairs, networking events, and a robust online career platform.
LSU resources for internship opportunities:
- Career Center: Connect with The LSU Career Center for access to exclusive internship listings and assistance navigating the internship search process, including help refining a resume or practicing interview skills.
- Handshake: Check out Handshake, LSU’s modern online career platform that connects students and alumni to employers, job opportunities, career events, and career resources.
- Faculty and advisors: Discuss internship goals with professors and academic advisors to tap into their industry networks and gain insights on potential opportunities.
- Career fairs and networking events:Watch for one of LSU’s many recruiting events, both virtual and in person. Attending career fairs and networking events enables students to connect with employers who may have internship opportunities.
Where else to search for internships:
- Online job boards: Websites such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor offer internship opportunities across various industries, which can be filtered based on location, field of interest, and duration.
- Company websites: Many organizations post internship openings directly on their websites. Students can explore companies' careers or internship sections to discover opportunities that align with their career aspirations.
Q&A with Julia Palin
Flores MBA student interned with the New England Patriots in the summer of 2023
Why did you pursue this internship?
Working as a communications associate this summer with the New England Patriots was a dream come true for me because I was born and raised in Massachusetts, where we live and die by Patriots football. I sought out this internship to solidify my decision to pursue a career in NFL communications, and the insight I gained was invaluable.
What were your internship duties?
Duties included compiling clips of news coverage of the team and ownership; responding to email inquiries and fan mail; assisting in prepping rosters, pronunciation guides, and other game-related documents; and prepping players for media availability with lists of likely questions and possible responses.
What did you gain from this internship?
All in all, I feel tremendously blessed because this experience helped me discover that working in NFL communications is truly what I want to do for my career. This summer was a taste of the NFL communications life, and I cannot wait to dive in deeper. (Palin was planning to return to the Patriots as a communications seasonal associate upon graduation.)
Preparing for Internships
Preparing for internships is essential to enhancing your career readiness and gaining valuable experience. LSU can help conquer the internship search by helping students:
- Craft their personal brand: A resume and cover letter is a student’s first impression to potential employers and should be tailored to highlight relevant coursework, projects, and extracurricular activities that demonstrate the student's skills and qualifications.
- Engage with their community: Reach out to professors, alumni, and professionals in your desired field to inquire about internship opportunities and to learn what to expect. Networking can often uncover hidden or unadvertised internships.
- Connect with companies: When you exchange a resume or business card with recruiters, you are actively building a network and making career connections.
- Get interview ready: Once you secure an interview, it's crucial to prepare thoroughly. Research the company to understand their values, mission, and industry. Practice common interview questions and come up with thoughtful answers that highlight your experiences and skills. Dress professionally and arrive early to make a positive impression.
Q&A with Anna Rathor
Biological Sciences major on a pre-med track interned at the LSU Health New Orleans
Medical School in the summer of 2023
What were your internship duties?
My research's goal was to look at possible markers to predict cervical dysplasia outcomes, with the ultimate goal of creating an at-home test allowing women to test themselves and understand the severity of their risk, leading to a better understanding of treatment options.
It was my responsibility to conduct all aspects of my project and to be able to come up with a conclusion and answer my research question. Part of my program included an abstract and poster submission and the presentation of the poster to judges.
What did you gain from this internship?
The research has reinforced my education and goals. Since I was able to do research, it has encouraged me to continue with my goal of pursuing medicine because you learn many aspects of medicine through research. When it comes to my education, it has helped me understand the concepts and techniques that I am learning in my current classes.
What advice to you have for LSU students seeking a similar experience?
There are many opportunities to do research, and it does not necessarily have to be through a program. Reaching out to professors is another way to get into research during the summer or even during the school year. Research is worthwhile and can really enhance your understanding of your interests.
Maximizing the Benefits of an Internship
Setting goals and objectives for your internship is essential to ensure that you make the most of your experience. Before you begin your internship, take some time to reflect on what you hope to achieve, such as specific skills, industry exposure, or networking opportunities.
By setting clear goals, you can tailor your internship experience to meet your needs and make meaningful progress toward your career aspirations. Moreover, internships allow students to explore various career paths and industries, leading to more informed decisions about their futures.
Internships can serve as stepping stones to future career opportunities. Treat your internship as an extended job interview and strive to make a positive impression. Demonstrate your skills, work ethic, and professionalism to position yourself for potential job offers or recommendations.
Take advantage of any training or professional development opportunities offered during your internship to enhance your skills and make yourself more marketable to employers.
Also, take the opportunities to develop essential soft skills such as communication and teamwork while fostering a sense of professional responsibility.
Employers often prioritize candidates with relevant experience, and internships allow students to showcase their abilities. Highlighting internship experiences on resumes can make students stand out from other applicants, significantly enhancing their job prospects.
Q&A with Reagan Courville
Mechanical engineering and French major is participating in the Department of Energy's Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship 2024 program.
How did you get this internship?
Last summer I worked as a part of the NASA Academy of 2023 at Langley Research Center along with 15 other students from around the U.S. My boss recommended that I look into opportunities at the DOE’s national labs as they offer a great deal of experience in research.
What are you hoping to gain from this internship?
I’m hoping to become more skilled in applicable mechanical design and optimization. The project that I’ve been selected to work on this summer has a lot of parallels with the research I’ve been focusing on at LSU, so naturally, I’d love to come back with more knowledge to apply to the on-campus lab I work for (the Energy and Propulsion Lab under Dr. Shyam Menon).
Unlike the opportunity last summer, I will not be working with other interns this summer, which will most definitely be a curveball for me, but it should be a rewarding challenge.
How did your LSU experience help lead to this internship?
My time as an undergrad researcher under Dr. Menon very neatly equipped me with the skills to qualify me for this opportunity. I would most likely not have been offered this position if it weren’t for my experience with laser diagnostic techniques in that lab at LSU. The physics classes and machine design courses I’ve taken at LSU have given me an adequate academic basis to understand the processes and design of the project at Los Alamos.
Next Steps
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