How to Gain Experience

Career Development Center

Networking and Informational Interviews -- Gathering first hand information through interviews with professionals to lend their expertise and advice. A great way to connect with professionals is to attend one of the many on-campus and off-campus Bucknell Career Fairs or by using CareerNet, the CDC on-line database of alumni and parent resources.

Job Shadowing & Externships -- Extend your stay beyond one day with an organization in order to gain more exposure to the working environment, daily routines, and meet more people/contacts.

Volunteering -- Volunteer with an employer and show a willingness and enthusiasm about the organization. Although volunteer positions are unpaid, focus more on the benefits in the long-term rather than short-term. Volunteering is relevant experience and contacts can be made for the future, which can outweigh monetary compensation. There are several resources on campus for volunteering.

Bucknell Experience -- Part of your experience at Bucknell may include participation in clubs, student government, residence halls, campus publications, Greek organizations, and tutoring. These activities and positions are opportunities for development of skills and knowledge employers may seek in an intern or employee. To learn more about student organizations on campus, visit the Student Organization page.

Work-Study Jobs -- Work-study is a federally funded program providing students with financial need various work assignments throughout the year and sometimes during the summer. These jobs can provide excellent experience by choosing a job that would tap into areas of interest and skills. Contact the financial aid office for eligibility and available positions. A list of work-study and non work-study positions is available.

Local Employers -- Consider opportunities in the local area, either during the academic year or summer. InternsPLUS is searchable web site of internships and other experiences in the central Pennsylvania. The Office of Service Learning Databasecontains information about local employers that offer a variety of experiential opportunities.

Summer Jobs -- Summer jobs can be very valuable experiences, but may not necessarily be directly relevant to your area of study or interest. By definition, there is a fine line between summer jobs and internships because a great deal can be learned and valuable skills can be developed in both work settings.

Internship -- Key words associated with this term are "learning," "observing," and "reflecting" because these are the very purpose of internships. An internship can range from full-time positions to working a few hours per week during school breaks, summers, or throughout the academic year. Internship Opportunities received by the CDC are listed on the BRIDGE under the SummerBRIDGE listings.

Internships in Non-profit organizations -- The Bucknell Public Interest Program consists of alumni, faculty and university administrators working together to educate students about non-profit careers and provide more occasions for students to experience non-profit opportunities and network with those in the non-profit sector. The BPIP Internship Fund awards stipends to underclass students who have secured and accepted an unpaid, full-time summer internship with a public interest, non-profit organization.