ECDO - Gain Experience

Gain Experience

For many employers, your academic record is going to be one of the main indicators of your ability to be successful at their company. If you are not maintaining a high GPA now is the time to focus on your academics and improve your record.

Just as important is the experiences you have had while in college and the resulting skills you have gained. Employers and many graduate schools want to see that you have been involved while an undergraduate. The transferrable skills you can gain through part-time jobs, internships, student organizations and volunteer experiences are invaluable.

There are multiple ways to gain skills and experiences that will make you an attractive candidate to potential employers and graduate schools. Internships, both paid and unpaid, are excellent opportunities. You can also gain marketable skills by volunteering and by being involved in a student organization. Employers especially want to see leadership skills so do what you can to take on leadership positions early in your college career.

Ways to seek and gain experience:

BuckyNet – find postings for internships and part-time positions

Morgridge Center for Public Service- UW-Madison's center for public service - connecting students and academic staff with nonprofits and the community through volunteerism, service-learning and community-based research

Center for Leadership and Involvement
Student Organization Listing
Research and Internship resources
Volunteer and Service resources
UW-Madison Student Employment
International Internship Program

UW-Madison Student Job Center – listings for both on and off-campus part-time positions

Networking – offer your assistance to companies you are interested in working for. Even five hours per week is a great way to gain experience which can be added to your resume. Plus, you are helping that company so you are both benefiting.

UW-Madison Economics LinkedIn Group – Learn about other internship and volunteer locations of current and former students.