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Step 1: Identify your goal by industry & function
Step 1: Identify your goal by industry & function
Identify a specific goal in order to move forward. For example, a “sales or business development internship for an internet security company” You can be flexible down the road but you have to start with a goal. You also need a specific geographic region when feasible (or preference for virtual work).
See the links below to get some ideas.
Career Pathways by Concentration
See how your concentration can lead to a career
Take your current interests and turn them into a career!
Talk to alumni on Eagle Exchange & LinkedIn
Search under different industries related to your interests
(log in through BC library)
Learn from interviews with alumni in different industries
Do you want to directly utilize what you studied (i.e., your concentration)?
Do you want to directly utilize what you studied (i.e., your concentration)?
Are you flexible about the function but really interested in an industry?
Are you flexible about the function but really interested in an industry?
Learn about Career Pathways based on your interests, including topics like music or sustainability.
Is your goal realistic? Do you have the qualifications you need yet?
Is your goal realistic? Do you have the qualifications you need yet?
Read the guides on Firsthand and talk to people in the field to see if you need more schooling or certifications. You can start with the contacts on our Concentration Advising pages, like this one for analytics.
Step 2: Develop a list of organizations to target
Step 2: Develop a list of organizations to target
Do Your Research
Do Your Research
Utilize the BC Business Librarian
Doug Olsen has compiled a great site with resources for your job search! You can can talk to him about with search strategies and tactics and tips to keep you organized.
Use BC Library Resources
Use BC Library Resources
Login via Agora.
Once logged in go to http://libguides.bc.edu/careerresources
Click on “company directories and contacts” to find organizations by industry or topic area or geographic region.
Then check out their individual websites for listings. Most organizations will always put their opportunities on their website.
Check Other Sources
Check Other Sources
FIRSTHAND: See company rankings & profiles, career guides, and other resources to learn about specific jobs and industries.
REFERENCE USA: Develop a list of companies using the “advanced search” to drill down
THE BOOK OF LISTS: For the list geek in you, find fun lists of top companies by industry for the majority of US Cities
Create a manageable list of organizations/ No more than 50.
Create a manageable list of organizations/ No more than 50.
See Where Other BC Students Have Interned
This spreadsheet from the Career Center lists where students across the university interned over the summer. It can give you ideas of organizations that have hired interns recently and places you may want to apply.
Step 3: Research opportunities
Step 3: Research opportunities
All of the top employers, including 100% of the Fortune 500, tech start-ups, nonprofits, and more are hiring students like you on Handshake. Use your Handshake account to find and apply to job and internship opportunities. Use this guide to learn how to navigate Handshake.
Handshake may be your go-to resources for on-campus recruiting and upcoming information sessions. However, there are many other helpful sites that you should also explore. Check them out on this page.
Subscribe to newsletters with job opportunities
These newsletters will send jobs straight to your inbox!
Step 4: Create a spreadsheet to stay organized
Step 4: Create a spreadsheet to stay organized
Here are two samples: Sample 1 or Sample 2 to copy and use or use
You can track tons of information, like:
Hiring Timeline/ Deadline to apply
Entry level jobs/internships
Do they hire full time or convert through internships?
Referrals/ Contacts/ Dates of Outreach/ Meetings
Dates: Info sessions, networking events, interviews, thank you sent
Additional notes-- special insights from contacts, notes on interviewing from Glassdoor, etc.
Step 5: Cultivate contacts
Step 5: Cultivate contacts
Your goal is to speak with as many people you can at those organizations. You can reach out via:
Your goal is to speak with as many people you can at those organizations. You can reach out via:
family/friends/faculty
Eagle Experts (just for Accelerator during your semester in the course)
Boston College Career Community Group on LinkedIn
Emailing directly/ figure out email (use hunter.io or similar add on)
List of CSOM 2022 Seniors (sorted by company) available for mock interviews/ info chats about their internships
For possible networking purposes, here are the List of CSOM 2020 Grads & 2021 grads (sorted by company)
Networking tips:
Networking tips:
Email as many potential contacts as possible
Set up phone or video meetings, and coffee if possible in a post-Covid world (read this handout on arranging phone calls)
Be Persistent
Use Social Media to network
See networking section of this google site
Step 6: Attend events
Step 6: Attend events
Checking Handshake Events tab for employer, Career Center and other campus organizations and departmental events.
Reading THIS WEEK in CSOM, and you will be on top of the events calendar!
Following the Corcoran Center for Real Estate
Joining the newsletters for student organizations, which host a lot of employers:
Shea Center for tech/startups
Latin American Business Club
And more!
Step 7: Prepare for interviews
Step 7: Prepare for interviews
This page has many resources to prepare, including helpful handouts to practice your STAR Stories and sample behavioral questions.
Do company research
Do company research
Learn about core values, overall health, recent news, culture, and competition. Review the company website, especially "In the News" sections, as well as their social media pages.
Glassdoor is a great place to read posts about interview scenarios particular to the company
Sorted by company, all of the seniors on this list are available for mock interviews/ info chats about their internships.
View the recruiting section of our consulting page for information on preparing for consulting interviews. Case interviews require at least 40 hours of practice.
Investment Banking Guides
Investment Banking Guides
You can access Breaking Into Wall Street at a discount with the code BC-BIWS-IBIG-2017. Wall Street Prep also offers a free guide with your ".edu" email.
Use Big Interview to practice responding to questions (by industry, skill, etc.) and receive feedback. Register with your BC email.
BONUS: Apply for an internship stipend
BONUS: Apply for an internship stipend
Sometimes you'll find an amazing internship opportunity only to find out that it's unpaid. The good news is that there are several BC-funded stipends that can help you out:
Winston Center: Funds available for travel and internships. Watch their page on the info for this year.
Eagle Internship Stipend: Boston College Career Center; 2 rounds of application deadlines each Spring
Shea Center Internships - funding for students working at a startup
Clough Center - Civic Internships Grants for unpaid government, nonprofit or civic organization internships
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