Bridging the Gap from Student to Professional with the Career Resource Center

Photo of a student working with a supervisor during an internship.

Dreaming of walking right off the stage at graduation and into your ideal career? Baker College’s Career Resource Center is here to help make it a reality!

As you get closer to completing your degree, the Career Resource Center is your first step to helping you land the job you’ve been working toward. The Work Experience program offers the opportunity to gain the experience and knowledge you’ll need in your future career; and since 1 in 3 Baker College graduates were hired by their Work Experience employer after graduation in 2018-19, it’s an incredible opportunity to get your foot in the door early!

Once you work with the Career Resource Center to find the right placement, here are a few tips to make the best impression with your Work Experience employer:

• Research the company to find out everything you can before your first day; it will give you a distinct advantage.
  
  
• Outline your goals and the skills you’d like to acquire during your Work Experience, and schedule a meeting with your manager during the first week of your internship to discuss them. This also is a great time to establish early on what the company’s expectations are of you during this experience.
  
  
• Maintain a positive attitude, even if the work might seem menial at times - it’s all part of the learning experience and demonstrates a willingness to roll-up your sleeves and get the job done.
  
  
• Work with your manager to see if you can be part of team meetings, and offer to assist your co-workers whenever they might need it.
  
  
• Ask questions! Be engaged and eager to learn, and always ask intelligent questions about areas of the business that you don’t understand. Remember, the more you learn about the company, the easier it will be to assess how you might fit in on a more permanent basis.
  
  
• Get to know everyone you can, at every level of the organization. By building a reputation for being polite, friendly and approachable – as well as avoiding office politics or participating in gossip – will make a lasting impression on your potential future employer.
  
  
• Keep in touch, even if your internship doesn’t end with a job offer. Stay in touch with your supervisor and colleagues through LinkedIn even after the internship comes to an end; many job opportunities come as a result of professional networking, and ask them to recommend you if they come across a suitable job.
  
  
• Most importantly, enjoy the experience! The Career Resource Center team is here to prepare you not just for any career, but one you'll love.

Connect with the Career Resource Center by emailing us at [email protected] or calling (248) 276-8216 we can’t wait to help you find the right path to your dream career!