What is the best job or internship search strategy?
Career professionals generally agree that NETWORKING is the absolutely best tool for finding jobs and internships. There is some truth to the old adage, “It’s not what you know it’s who you know.” Most jobs and internships (estimates range from 60-90%) are found through word-of-mouth referral! Professional networking is basically about meeting people (in-person or online), sharing information with them, and gaining the benefit of their expertise and advice as well as any contacts they may be willing to share. Family, friends, friends of the family, and families of friends are a great potential source of networking contacts, along with professors, advisors, and practically ANYONE you might meet. Alumni of colleges and universities you have attended, as well as fellow members of clubs or professional associations related to a particular career field (join some!) also represent an often overlooked source of professional networking contacts.
