As students aimed to find opportunities to grow in their careers, California Baptist University offered guidance to help them apply for internships and pursue job opportunities.
Caleb Prewitt, senior international business major and financial representative for Modern Woodmen of America, discussed the challenges many students faced when searching for internships and jobs.
“The biggest challenge is the procrastination and lack of leaning on connections. Apply to more places where you know people and reach out to others that have said that they may be able to connect you with an internship,” Prewitt said.
Without guidance, students often applied to as many jobs as possible without preparing or paying attention to details in the job requirements.
Josselyn Guillen, senior graphic design and visual experience major and former intern at Beats Academy as a Custom Track intern, explained steps students should take before applying for a position.
“When you are applying for an internship, you need to make sure that their qualifications match what you do. You also have to make sure you have the skills they want, especially now when we are in an era where AI sees your resume,” Guillen said.
In a competitive job market, prepared candidates often had stronger chances of being noticed. Developing leadership skills also helped students gain the attention of employers.
Ashley Samaan, career counselor, highlighted skills students should build to increase their chances of securing internships or jobs.
“Beyond the technical skills that will be industry-specific, we are seeing a shift towards skills-based hiring, so building skills is so important. NACE suggests over 88% of employers look for problem-solving on a candidate’s resume, so that is a great place to start,” Samaan said. “Additionally, key skills like adaptability, communication, teamwork and initiative are always great to build early.”
While many students found it easier to develop communication and leadership skills, others, such as introverted students, found it more difficult to build those skills while preparing for future careers. Samaan also shared advice for introverts who struggled to feel confident in professional settings.
“As a huge introvert myself, I struggled when first learning how to network and interview. My biggest advice is that practice, consistency and exposure are the key pillars to improve confidence in those settings,” Samaan said.
“The Career Center hosts a lot of smaller Lunch and Learns and employer booths, which are a great way to practice in a smaller environment before a larger career fair or interview setting,” Samman said. “You can also practice with our Career Center staff in a mock interview or Career Guidance Appointment to build exposure to the connection and networking pieces. It is always scary and difficult starting out, but I promise it gets easier with practice.”
Although choosing the right opportunity can feel intimidating, Guillen encouraged students to think carefully about what aligns with their goals.
“It depends on what they are looking for and how they see themselves in the future. If you just want an internship just because it’s going to be a part of your resume, then I don’t think that’s worth it,” Guillen said. “Because if it doesn’t attract and inspire you to keep going, I don’t think you should do it.”
The future often felt uncertain for many students. While some already had clear plans, others were still exploring their options. What mattered most was making choices that kept students motivated and inspired as they worked toward building their futures.
