Your undergraduate years are a wonderful time of exploration and maturation, a time to try new things, make choices and to perhaps experience living away from parents for the first time. It is also the time to explore and choose your first career path. This is often a difficult and lengthy process, which is why it is important to start the search early in your college career. Think of your internship or job search as an additional two-credit class each semester and budget time accordingly.

The Campus Recruiting Program for SOM undergraduates is coordinated by the University's Career Development Center, which is located in the basement of the Bartle Library Building. CDC offers a career library, several counselors, workshops, and online tools for students to utilize. Find CDC, take advantage of its resources, and make it your second home!

The School of Management Placement Office is another resource available to you after your visit to CDC. The Director of Placement and Placement Assistants offer career-related guidance to enhance the internship/job search preparation of SOM students. Individual and group meetings are available through office hours and scheduled appointments. Resume review and mock interview services are also available following students’ interaction with CDC.

As you begin and carry out your internship or job search, we suggest the following:

A strong resume is a necessary tool for the internship and job search. It is crucial for you to have a high quality, well-organized resume to attract employers’ attention. Use the tips and recommendations found in the School of Management Resume Guide when preparing or reviewing your resume for potential employers.
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Freshman year, draft a good general resume and cover letter. CDC has free literature on resume and cover letter writing. Be sure to pick up copies of these information sheets, called Quick Reference Guides, during your next visit or print them from CDC’s website. Make an appointment to have a CDC staff member review and critique your resume and cover letter, as well as outline a search strategy with you. This will help you set a deadline and will encourage you to accomplish your goal.
Start building your resume by studying hard to achieve the best grades you can. Remember: you want your grades to accurately reflect your academic abilities. Becoming involved in on-campus activities is also a great resume builder and a good way to meet people with similar interests. SOM and the University offer many students groups and extracurricular activities which you may become involved in.
Ask a professor or advisor for advice if you're unsure of which path is right for you. However, remember that it is your decision - no one can make it for you!
Remember your resume is never finished. Make sure to continually update your resume so it is accurate and ready for review by an employer. You never know when someone will ask for your resume.
Read the Wall Street Journal every day. You won't have time to read it cover to cover, but try to read at least the front page every day. The Journal is a great source of information about careers and industries. Accessing the Journal is easy and free to BU students on Lexis and ProQuest. If you prefer to read it in print, visit the Bartle Library's periodicals room or purchase a subscription. To subscribe to either the print version or the customizable online version of the Journal, visit WSJ.com.
Make a point to attend SOM and CDC events, especially those involving employers like SOM’s Mentoring and Networking Event and CDC’s Job and Internship Fairs. Dress for employer related events is always business casual or business professional, but nothing less than business casual.
Network, network, network! Networking is the number one way anyone finds a job or internship today. Make use of all contacts you have. If you don’t have a network, get started creating one. Use the Alumni Career Network (ACN) to search for alumni and seek out their guidance and advice. The ACN is available through CDC’s website and the BUSI web center.

A good balance between social life and academic achievement is key to a successful and enjoyable college experience. Strive to find your balance point, but when in doubt, first try putting a little more weight on the work side!