It’s that time of year again — students are looking to secure internships and employers are looking for affordable and experienced talent to help them continue to grow and thrive. Student internships are a great way for corporations to build long-term pathways to great talent, and can sometimes lead to jobs for students. At University Canada West (UCW), we’ve identified what students need to know as they embark on their respective searches.

1. Take stock of your hard and soft skills

Make sure to summarize the technical skills you’ve learned, but don’t forget about your soft skills too. Communicating a balance of soft and hard skills in your resumé and CV will make you shine as a potential candidate.

In fact, many employers value soft skills over hard skills. The idea is that if you already possess effective soft skills like communication, teamwork, or time management, employers can coach you on hard skills you need to perform themselves.

2. Network

In an increasingly digital world, many barriers that once existed to networking have been removed. As a student, you have access to a network of classmates, professors, alumni, and career services. Use this, and LinkedIn, to your advantage and have as many discussions as you can about internships and career possibilities. This will ease the process of deciding which internships are worth applying for. And, you might even meet someone who can help you land your dream job.

3. Take advantage of student-specific resources available, while you have them

Students looking for internship opportunities have access to an array of great services that are in place to help student candidates land great internships. Don’t wait until the end of your final year of study to access them. At University Canada West, our Career Development Centre offers career development resources such as reviewing of resumés, cover letters, interviews, job search techniques, networking, and coaching.

Once you have the tools, it’s time submit applications. Unsure where to start? Try searching on Indeed and LinkedIn (bonus: you can send a message to the recruiter!), sign up for the Government of British Columbia Youth Employment Program, ask your professors and classmates, or apply directly on company websites that peak your interest.

With these top tips in mind, you’re sure to succeed on your internship endeavour. Make sure to use the resources at your disposal at University Canada West — we even offer internships for students. In the last year, UCW has brought on more than 40 paid interns who worked across a variety of departments including Student Affairs, Marketing and Communications, Health & Safety, and the Library.