Job & Internship Search

The typical job or internship search takes 6 - 9 months. Career Services recommends you start your employment search early-- preferably two semesters before you plan to be employed.

When searching for a position, it is important to first write down your employment goals. These will help you reduce the amount of time and energy you spend searching.

Ask yourself the following questions:

  • What types of skill or knowledge do I offer an employer?
  • What types of positions am I searching for?
  • What companies or organizations interest me?
  • What are possible locations for my future employment?
  • What could my career trajectory look like?

Before You Begin Searching for a Job

Before you begin your search visit the Career Prep Toolkit and learn about resume & cover letter creation, interviewing and more.

When you are prepared to search, make sure to register in Handshake, attend job fairs and network with employers.

As a job seeker it is important to be aware of online job scams. Career Services recommends that you refer to the Better Business Bureau.

Handshake is WSU Career Services Job & Internship Recruitment System.

Here you can:

  • Find a job (part-time, temporary, summer, local, work-study, student-help, full-time jobs that require a degree, as well as summer and semester internships).
  • Share your resume with employers seeking to hire
  • Register for career events (interviews, job fairs & special events)

Watch videos about how to sign up for Mock Interviews and how to sign up for Resume Rush.

Disclaimer

Winona State University or its Career Services department does not endorse any of the posted positions in Handshake. Position and employer descriptions are submitted by the employer.

Neither the University nor the Career Services department assumes responsibility whatsoever for neither inaccurate nor misleading information, nor does the presence of a posting on this site indicate the position is appropriate for any student.

We strive to provide our students and alumni job seekers with quality employment and internship opportunities; employers are obligated to adhere to the following Terms of Service.

Job Seekers are encouraged to use caution and common sense when applying to positions. Do not disclose Social Security numbers, credit card information, or bank account numbers with unknown employers.

As a job seeker, when you apply to a position through Handshake you grant an employer access to view your profile information. Please review your profile information before applying.

Many students seek part-time employment during their time at WSU. Before you begin to search for jobs, it is important to understand the different types of employment on and off campus.

Watch a video about working and volunteering during college.


On-campus Jobs

There are two types of on-campus jobs: work-study and student help.

  • Work-study: Only available to students with "FWS or SWS Eligibility" listed as part of their Financial Aid Award. These positions are federally funded and given based on financial need.
  • Student Help: Available to any student on campus. These positions are funded through individual departments on campus.

Search Handshake to find all work-study positions and many student help positions. You can also view the list of WSU offices who hire (PDF).

To learn more about on-campus employment, please visit the Student Employment site.


Off-campus Jobs

There are many local employers seeking to hire WSU students for part-time employment. Often employers are looking for students to work weekend and evening hours. Search Handshake to find on-campus and off-campus jobs or attend the Part-time Job Fair.

What is an Internship?

An internship is a practical experience that allows beginners of an occupation or profession to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the classroom.

It lets an individual explore career options and become familiar with a particular work environment by performing common tasks in a typical work setting.

Individuals are able to establish themselves as professionals in their respective fields while being supervised or mentored by a staff member.

If you are seeking an internship for credit, please speak with your academic advisor about requirements for the major.

Finding an Internship (Video)
 Learning Through Internships (Video)

Common Internship Search Methods

Network

Build professional or personal relationships with others to tap into a hidden employment market. Networking will help you interact with members of your field, explore career options, market yourself to potential employers and develop a mutual support system.

Employer Source

Research and identify a list of employers you wish to contact. Visit their website to learn more and send your cover letter and resume. Be sure to target your application materials and then follow-up with a phone call.

Internship Posting

Internships are listed on a variety of databases and websites. Search and apply for positions by visiting the below links.

The list is a sampling of internship search engines and well-established programs:

Working abroad is a wonderful way to grow your cultural competencies and knowledge of other cultures’ traditions and social norms. However, searching for a position (job or internship) in another country can be a challenging experience.

There are many factors to consider before accepting a job:

  • Wages & currency conversions
  • Locating housing
  • Travel & travel insurance (temporary employment)
  • Acquiring a visa & visa status
  • Employment laws/regulations
  • Adjusting to new social norms/customs
  • Vaccinations and health conditions
  • Culture shock and homesickness
  • In-country transportation
  • Contractual agreements (internships)

There are several offices at WSU that can support your preparation for international travel and work. Please consider visiting the Study Abroad Office (Maxwell 105) and Warrior Success Center (Maxwell 314) to support your interests in working abroad.

Protected populations are groups of people under federal, state, and local law who are protected from employers making any employment decision, policy or practice with regard to certain characteristics of the group.

The resources below will not only inform you about your individual civil rights, but also direct you to resources, programs and search engines that will support your search process and professional growth.


Job Seekers Who Have a Disability

The following is a collection of websites that provide assistance to individuals with disabilities who are seeking employment.


Resources & Programs


Rights & Benefits

Additional Information


Job Seekers Who Served in the Military

The following is a collection of websites that provide assistance to military veterans who are seeking employment.

Additional Resources


Job Seekers Who Are Out in the Workplace

The following collection of resources is designed to offer a starting point in considering issues faced by LGBTQIA+ people in the workplace.

Before accepting a job offer, it is important to assess your financial needs to determine what will be a reasonable salary. Ask yourself the following questions:

  • What are the baseline for your total living expenses?
  • What benefits (insurance, savings plans, etc.) do you need for yourself, your family?
  • How do you know if an employer’s salary offer is competitive?
  • How expensive is the city you will be living in? (i.e. taxes, commuting costs, leisure expenses)

Resources

Winona State asks recent graduates to share information regarding where they went after graduation.

View the "Graduate Follow-Up Reports" to see the jobs alumni accepted as well as their employers.

You can even research salary outcomes by college and major.

When you are hired, we would appreciate if you would send us your employment data via the Graduate Follow-up Survey. Personal data (i.e. first name, last name) will not be shared with the public.