Career Related Experience
Initial CRE: Strategies & Resources
(most typically for first-year and sophomore students)
You should view your first two years at Hamilton as a time to build a foundation that will make you more marketable for a competitive internship later on.
Ideally, this "foundation" should include an initial career-related experience during the summer(s). Your first and/or second CRE will most likely be unpaid, located close to your home community, and with a small to medium-size organization.
Develop a Plan to Secure a Summer CRE
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Decide on and research a career field that you wish to explore
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Draft resume and have it approved
Search for Opportunities
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Network with personal and family contacts
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Identify types of organizations that may be able to provide you with initial career-related experience
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Generate a prospect list of specific organizations and contact them to inquire about potential career-related experience
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If you live in a major metropolitan area (i.e., DC, Boston, NYC, Philadelphia), you may also want to search online listings to determine if there are opportunities for which you might be competitive
Apply
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Research each organization of interest
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Target your resume and cover letter to each specific organization and/or position.
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Call 315-859-4346 to have a Peer or Career Counselor review application meterials
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Send required materials well in advance of deadlines
Follow Up and Interview
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Contact each organization to confirm receipt of materials and to set up an in-person or phone interview (if appropriate)
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Prepare for interview
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Conduct a practice "mock" interview at the Career Center
