Job & Internship Search
Since a job or internship search can take 6-9 months, you should start your employment search early—ideally 2 semesters before you plan to be employed.
When searching for a position, you should write down your professional goals. These will help you reduce the amount of time and energy you spend searching.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What skills or knowledge do I offer an employer?
- What types of positions am I searching for?
- What companies or organizations interest me?
- What are possible locations for my future employment?
- What could my career trajectory look like?
When you’re ready to search, make sure to register in Handshake, attend job fairs, and network with employers.
As a job seeker, you should be aware of online job scams. The Better Business Bureau is a good way to vet potential employers.
Handshake Jobs Portal
Handshake is Winona State’s job and internship recruitment tool.
Here, you can:
- Find a job, from part-time, temporary, summer, local, work-study, and student-help positions to full-time jobs that require a degree and internships
- Share your resume with employers who are hiring
- Register for career events (e.g., interviews, job fairs, special events)
Winona State University or its Career Services department does not endorse any of the posted positions in Handshake. Employers submit position and employer descriptions.
Neither the University nor the Career Services department assumes responsibility for inaccurate or misleading information. The presence of a posting on this site does not mean the position is appropriate for any student.
We strive to provide our students and alumni with job seekers who have quality employment and internship opportunities. Employers must adhere to Handshake’s Terms of Service.
Please use caution and common sense when applying to positions. Do not disclose Social Security numbers, credit card information, or bank account numbers with unknown employers.
When you apply for a position through Handshake, you grant an employer access to view your profile information. Please review your profile information before applying.
Many students get part-time jobs during their time at WSU.
Before you begin to search for jobs, it’s important to understand the employment options you have on and off campus.
There are 2 types of on-campus jobs:
- Work Study positions are federally funded and given based on financial need. You’ll see “FWS or SWS Eligibility” listed on their Financial Aid Award if you can
- Student Help positions are available to any student as these are funded through WSU departments
Search Handshake to find all work study positions and many student help positions.
There are many local employers who want to hire WSU students for part-time jobs.
Often, employers are looking for students to work weekend and evening hours.
Search Handshake to find on-campus and off-campus jobs or attend the Part-time Job Fair.
An internship is an opportunity to gain work experience in a professional setting. It allows you to apply the knowledge and skills you gained in the classroom in a real-world environment –and you learn more about your desired profession.
Through internships, you can establish yourself as a professional in your field while being supervised or mentored by a staff member.
If you’re seeking an internship for credit, talk to your academic advisor about requirements for your major.
How to Find an Internship
Build professional or personal relationships with others to tap into a hidden employment market.
Networking will help you interact with members of your field, explore career options, market yourself to potential employers, and develop a mutual support system.
Research and identify a list of employers you want to contact.
Visit their websites to learn more, and send them your cover letter and resume.
Be sure to target your application materials and then follow-up with a phone call.
A variety of databases and websites list internships across the U.S. Search and apply for positions by visiting these sites.
This is only a sampling of internship search engines and well-established programs:
Learn more about finding an internship with advice from Candid Career+.
When you’re ready to explore jobs available in your local area or throughout the U.S., we recommend you search Handshake first. Then use these job search websites to locate employment.
Working Abroad
Working abroad is a wonderful way to grow your cultural competencies and knowledge of other cultures’ traditions and social norms.
There are many factors to consider before accepting a job in another country:
- Wages and currency conversions
- Locating housing
- Travel costs and travel insurance (temporary employment)
- Acquiring a visa and tracking visa status
- Employment laws/regulations
- Adjusting to new social norms/customs
- Vaccinations and health conditions
- Culture shock and homesickness
- In-country transportation
- Contractual agreements (internships)
The Study Abroad Office and Warrior Success Center can help you prepare for international travel and work.
Protected populations are groups of people under federal, state, and local law who are protected from employers making any employment decision, policy, or practice regarding certain characteristics of that group.
These resources will help you understand your civil rights and direct you to resources, programs, and search engines to support your search process and professional growth.
Websites
- Disabled Person.com
- Entry Point!
- Hire Disability Solutions
- Indeed
- Midwest Special Services, Inc.
- MN Department of Employment & Economic Development Resources for Job Seekers with Disabilities
- Recruit Disability
- VelvetJobs Resources
Resources & Programs
- AHEAD
- National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC)
- Goodwill Disability Services
- Youthhood – The Job Center
- ULifeline
Rights & Benefits
Additional Information
The following resources offer a starting point in considering issues faced by LGBTQIA+ people in the workplace.
Learn more about identity and affinity groups with career resources from Candid Career+.
Salary & Cost of Living
Before accepting a job offer, it’s important to assess your financial needs to determine what will be a reasonable salary.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What’s the baseline for your total living expenses?
- What benefits (insurance, savings plans, etc.) do you need for yourself, your family?
- How do you know if an employer’s salary offer is competitive?
- How expensive is the city you’ll be living in? (i.e., taxes, commuting costs, leisure expenses)
Resources
- WSU WhichWay
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Career OneStop Wages Toolkit
- CNN Money Cost of Living Calculator
- Bankrate.com Cost of Living Calculator
- NerdWallet Cost of Living Calculator
- MoneyGeek Cost of Living Calculator
- Educate to Career Salary Calculator
- Money Geek Salary Guide
Graduate Follow-Up Reports
Explore the “Graduate Follow-Up Reports” to see the jobs that recent alumni accepted and their employers.
You can even research salary outcomes by college and major.
When you’re hired, please send us your employment data via the Graduate Follow-up Survey. Personal data (e.g., first name, last name) will not be shared with the public.