By Cole Strzelecki, Staff Writer
At this point in the semester, many students must be wondering about career opportunities. With the current conditions in Springfield and Western New England University, it’s understandable if students are concerned about getting internships and jobs. However, there’s no reason to feel this way, as even now, it is an opportune time to start searching.
When asked about the current openings for jobs and internships, Assistant Director of the Career Development Center, Sean Burke, reassuringly stated that plenty is available. “Employers are still hiring,” he began, “at this point, it comes down to what they are hiring you for.”
Though plentiful openings are great to hear, the question of COVID-19’s effect on opportunities springs up. Could some opportunities be taken away if conditions get worse? Could a student, in turn, lose their internship due to the pandemic?
“At the moment, no careers are unavailable because of COVID-19,” Sean responded. Though each career is impacted differently, they inevitably adapt to these conditions. While it may be challenging to work in these positions, employers will make sure you and those around you are safe when working.
“One job that has been a challenge are those that work with elementary school children,” Sean informed. “It is not an impossible job, but certainly more difficult.” Though this may be true, the Delbridge Career Center will ensure that any student gets an opportunity to work in the field with their career before leaving campus.
With this information in mind, Sean and the rest of the Delbridge Career Center have put extra effort into advertising these open positions. With a two-day career fair event on October 5 & 6, 2021, the group has already kicked things into high gear.
What’s planned for the rest of the year? Various events are scheduled, including internship information sessions, mock interview days, and many more career fairs.
Alongside these events comes the continuation of the use of virtual events. Much like the various job opportunities offered to Western New England University students, career-based events have adapted to the current conditions, allowing for virtual and in-person events to take place throughout the year.
These events include employer zoom-ins, mock interviews over zoom, and even more virtual things. The use of both types of events ensures that any student can participate in any event they are interested in and feel comfortable at the same time. The Delbridge Career Center aims to “use technology to do more for students” as they pursue the career of their dreams.
While all of this has been good news so far, some students may be worried about how they can fit these internships and jobs into their schedules. A common fear some students have involves a lack of balance in the load these careers add to their agendas, and they are right to feel so.
The act of balancing work, school, and social life is, “certainly a challenge,” Sean remarks. However, “it is the choice of the individual to take up this challenge,” Sean continued.
Internships with academic credits are already a part of the school schedule. 120 hours of one of these over one semester earn a student three credits. So, with that in mind, internships and academics go hand in hand. What’s left is balancing that with one’s social life, which can be an easy task.
As students get ready for their internship, Sean recommends that they talk with their Faculty Advisor. “A Faculty Advisor can help plan a student’s schedule out properly, as well as build a resume.” They certainly make for a helpful resource in getting an internship.
All in all, the job/internship scene is hot for Western New England University students right now. With all that is happening right now, it is great to know that the Delbridge Career Center supports the students of our University in whatever career-based endeavors they pursue.
