Another great post I wanted to share via Career Services at Penn! These tips might be specific, in some cases, to Penn students but apply to just about all college students, so worth a read!

By Tiffany Franklin:

During this difficult time, it can feel as if we are in a holding pattern given the uncertainty surrounding us. With so many questions lingering, you may wonder what you can do regarding your job or internship search. Here are a few ideas:

Keep searching for opportunities

There are still employers hiring and new postings being added to job sites. Check out these resources:

Build Your Skills with LinkedIn Learning

As you find opportunities that interest you, review the requirements and see if you have any skill gaps. As Penn students, you can go to LinkedIn Learning, which is an online training library that provides access to tutorials covering a wide selection of topics. Course offerings include software products widely used on campus such as the Microsoft Office suite, Google Analytics, and Drupal, as well as topics to enhance key business skills such as project management, marketing, and collaboration.

Be sure to update your resume, Handshake profile and LinkedIn profile with your new courses and professional development sessions to reflect your new skills.

Independent Projects & Remote Work Sites

Your resume reflects your professional journey and that can include your own independent projects. If you are developing an app or working on another type of website or project, be sure to write about that on your resume under a “Project” section.

There are sites such as Upwork where you create a profile to advertise your remote services and then connect with clients. Start by deciding which services you would like to offer (categories include: Writing, Web Development, Engineering, Customer Service, Data Science & Analytics, Translation, Design & Creative, Sales & Marketing, Accounting & Consulting, and more). Here’s a link to describe how the process works. You will be a freelancer, so consult your accountant because this will have tax implications for you and if you are an international student, be sure to check with Penn’s International Student & Scholar Services office (ISSS) to see how it could affect your visa.

Connect with Career Services Staff for Your Job and Internship Questions

We are here for you with phone and video conference appointments. To learn more about accessing our services during this time, go to this page and be sure to review the specific resource guides for UndergraduatesMaster’s students, and PhDs and Postdocs.

Remember the importance of Self-Care

Now, more than ever, self-care is vital to our strength as we face these challenges. Remember CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) can connect with you either via phone or video conference.