Navigating the competitive landscape for internships can be daunting, but Pacific offers plenty of resources to help you stand out. Of Pacific’s undergraduates who responded to our survey in 2022, 71% participated in a professional learning opportunity such as an internship. So, whether you’re a first-year student or nearing graduation, Pacific’s Career Services office is here to help you prepare to find a position that aligns with your career goals and provides valuable professional experience.
Getting started at Career Services
Start by visiting Career Services, the centralized location for all career-oriented help on campus. It provides year-round services to help you prepare for the ever-changing job market. You can schedule an appointment with a Career Services adviser through the job-search platform Handshake.
“Career Services offers support with everything from resume writing to creating and editing cover letters, as well as interview skills and practice interviews,” says Director of Career Services Bailey Gutierrez. “Our office serves the entire Pacific student population and our alumni.”
There’s never a bad time to get started; visit the Career Services office as early as your first day on campus. Career advisers will walk you through everything you’ll need to plan your job or internship search and help you develop valuable skills for success, whether your post-Pacific plan is full-time employment or graduate school.
Services tailored to specific majors
Understanding that many students arrive at Pacific with specific career goals, Career Services ensures that those in specialized fields, such as pre-health, receive dedicated support.
“Career Services helped me by providing me with an opportunity to shadow a local physician in Stockton,” says biological sciences major Arshdeep Gill ’26. “This was a very vital experience for me in deciding what I wanted to do in the future, and it would not have been possible without Career Services.”
In partnership with the academic departments, Career Services also provides guidance on cultivating professional relationships and planning the best path forward for students’ careers.
“We work with students to make sure that they’re applying for the appropriate internships and that they’re looking for companies that have opportunities they’d be interested in and would really gain some hands-on experience from,” says Deb Crane, a career development and employer specialist at the Eberhardt Career Management Center.
Job fairs throughout the year
Career Services encourages all students to participate in its annual events, including February’s Career Expo, its largest event, featuring more than 80 employers from various industries. Since attending can feel intimidating for some, Career Services offers prep sessions to help students know what to expect and how to be well-prepared.
“We want to make sure students feel confident in knowing how to approach an employer and what kinds of questions they should be asking,” Crane says. “What are some of the things you should and shouldn’t do? For example, you shouldn’t give them your resume right away as you walk up to them because then they’ll be reading your resume instead of having a conversation with you.”
The Career Expo is an excellent opportunity to practice your networking skills, connect with potential employers and learn more about the companies you’re interested in before applying. It also offers you the opportunity to learn about a company or a career path you might not have considered.
Internship search resources
Pacific students now have access to online resources to search for and apply for internships. One resource is Parker Dewey, a platform for micro-internships, which are brief, paid professional assignments akin to those typically assigned to new hires or interns. Parker Dewey connects you with employers so you can gain practical experience in your field of study.
Career Services advisers are always available by appointment to conduct mock interviews and review your resume and cover letter before you submit your applications. Advisers also can provide you with practical resources like interview attire from the Career Closet and private rooms for remote interviews. You can even have your headshot taken for your LinkedIn profile.
Gutierrez offers advice for students who plan to juggle schoolwork and an internship.
“Understand that your academics do come first and be as open and transparent with your employer as you can about your school schedule and what’s going on,” she says. “Give yourself some grace and understand that it’s going to take a lot of work.”
Learn more about Career Services at Pacific