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Nu @ the U

Nu Huynh, lead campus relations consultant, The Principal®

"Nu @ the U" is an advice column written for young professionals navigating the unknown waters of internship and career. Written by Nu Huynh, lead campus relations consultant at The Principal, the workplace column addresses the most timely and common questions received by the national recruiting staff of the Principal Financial Group.

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Current Column: Professional Experience this Summer

Dear Nu,

Aaah! It’s almost summer, and I have no internship. I really want to get some professional experience this summer, but right now I have nothing! NOTHING!!! -- Freaking Out

Dear Freaking Out,

Easy there. No need to panic. There are still a few things you can do.

First—internships. There’s still an outside (OK, very outside) chance that you can land an internship. Last-minute internships sometimes open up toward the end of spring.

If you’re a good candidate and your name is in recruiters’ minds, they’ll contact you. So be persistent (within reason), and let recruiters know you’re still available.

While that opportunity cooks, work on Plan B. The key to Plan B is realistic expectations—meaning don’t expect great experience AND great pay.

For instance, not-for-profits are always looking for enthusiastic, hard-working volunteers. And because they operate like any other business, you have a good shot at getting some great experience (as well as building skills in areas like time management, writing, presentations, customer service, communication and more).

Contact the leaders of not-for-profits in your area. Explain that you’d like to gain experience in [fill in your major here]. Then tell them you’d like to help their organization—for free. (That usually gets their attention.)

You should also contact professional organizations, chambers of commerce and other civic groups in your area. These organizations often sponsor festivals, meetings and other events, and that means LOTS of volunteer opportunities.

Finally, keep an open mind. Just because your job title isn’t Junior [fill in your major here] Executive doesn’t mean it’s a worthless experience. Even something totally unrelated to your major will help you establish a solid work history—and build skills that will transfer to any future job.

If you can devote at least some time this summer to a low-paying (or no-paying) job, you have a good chance of getting the experience you want. (So please, stop panicking. You’re driving your roommate crazy.)

Nu Huynh is the lead campus relations consultant at the Principal Financial Group. She travels the country looking for the best and brightest recruits. To find the career or internship you're looking for, visit www.principal.com/careers/visits.htm.