Internships and Entry-level Jobs
Internships and entry-level positions provide essential opportunities to translate classroom learning into professional accomplishment. Internships are a great way to build skills and experience while also learning more about what you like and don’t like to do.
Search Strategies and Resources
- Handshake: Search Vassar’s central database for full-time jobs, summer internships, and employer listings posted specifically for Vassar students.
- Networking: Networking is one of the most effective ways to discover unadvertised opportunities, gain industry insights, and build professional relationships. Learn more at Networking and Informational Interviewing.
- Industry-specific Resources: Access curated, field-specific job boards across government, arts, tech, non-profits, business, and more via the Internships, Jobs, and Programs Resource Guide and the CCE’s Industry Guides. Learn more about recruiting timelines by industry.
- On-Campus and Virtual Recruiting: Participate in virtual sessions, employer info events, and on-campus interviews—see all upcoming events on Handshake.
- Application Organization: Track application deadlines, contact details, and submission dates using the CCE Job/Internship Search Organizer.
Schedule a “Internship Search Advising” or a “Job Search Advising” appointment to develop your search strategy.
Offer Negotiation Guidelines
Receiving an offer is exciting—congratulations!
- Request Evaluation Time: Acknowledge the offer within 24 hours (ie, respond to an email or phone call) and then establish a specific decision deadline (typically several days to a week) to evaluate the offer thoroughly.
- Evaluate Total Compensation: Review full benefit packages, including healthcare options, retirement plans, paid leave, and work flexibility.
- Negotiate Professionally: Base salary requests on industry benchmarks and geographic cost of living rather than personal financial requirements. Consult resources like Glassdoor and Numbeo.
- Formal Acceptance: Request final offers in writing, and immediately withdraw from other active job searches once you have officially accepted an opportunity.
Schedule a “Job Offer/Salary Negotiation” appointment for advice on evaluating your offer(s) and negotiating compensation and benefits.
Tips for Success
Starting a new position—whether a summer internship or your first full-time post-grad job—is an exciting milestone. Establishing strong workplace habits early helps you build credibility, maximize learning, and position yourself for long-term career advancement.
- Confirm Logistics Early: Reach out to your manager or HR contact prior to your start date to confirm hours, dress code, technology setup, and initial meeting schedules.
- Define Goals: During your first week, meet with your supervisor to clarify core projects, key performance expectations, and target outcomes.
- Establish a Learning Contract or Roadmap: Outline specific skills you hope to build and goals you aim to accomplish to keep your professional development on track. Check out the CCE’s Internship Learning Contract template as a way to establish clear learning objectives with your supervisor.
- Understand Feedback and Evaluation Processes: Ask how performance is evaluated and how often feedback is provided (e.g., weekly check-ins, 30/60/90-day reviews, or end-of-term evaluations).
- Prioritize Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Deliver high-quality work on your core tasks first. Working efficiently and reliably creates opportunities to volunteer for higher-impact projects.
- Maintain Workplace Etiquette: Demonstrate professionalism through punctual attendance, clear communication, and respectful workplace conduct. Keep personal business off work hours and communicate proactively if unexpected issues arise.
- Build Internal Networks: Schedule informational coffee chats or lunches with colleagues across departments and Vassar alums in the organization to learn about different roles and industry trends.
- Track Your Accomplishments: Keep a running log of completed projects, quantifiable metrics, software mastered, and positive feedback to use for future performance reviews or resume updates.
- Finalize Work and Document Processes: Ensure all assigned responsibilities are complete, files are organized, and handover documentation is clear before wrapping up a project or term.
- Request References and Recommendations: Ask your manager or close mentors for a professional reference or LinkedIn recommendation while your performance is top-of-mind.
- Discuss Future Career Pathways:
- For Interns: Express your interest in returning for future opportunities and ask what steps are needed to be considered for full-time roles upon graduation.
- For Entry-Level Employees: Discuss long-term career growth, professional development stipends, and internal advancement opportunities during performance reviews.
- Maintain Professional Relationships: Send formal thank-you notes to your supervisor and team members upon completing key milestones, and stay in touch periodically as your career evolves.
Job and Internship Posting Red Flags
Always trust your instincts—does something seem too good to be true? Beware of these red flags:
- Upfront Financial Demands: Requests for credit card info, banking details, or upfront payments for training or equipment.
- Check Processing Scams: Requests to deposit checks and wire funds back to a third party or vendor.
- Domain Mismatches: Email sender domains that do not match the official company website domain.
- Vague Job Descriptions: Listings emphasizing rapid high earnings (40k–80k) while omitting clear job duties.
Report suspicious Handshake postings or suspicious employer communication immediately to the Center for Career Education at cce@vassar.edu.