I want to share with everyone about some campus resources that I think is really beneficial to make use of e.g. career service center. The career service at the university of Minnesota offers numerous programs that aim to prepare students to enter the real world. Their work is to provide you with guidance and perhaps to answer most of your difficult questions such as deciding what to major or how your degree will help you find job/internship or even they can help with writing CVS and do mock interview practice with you. Few weeks ago, I was very lucky to attend few sessions at the career service center where I asked how as J-1 visa student could apply for an internship in the US. I am very interested to ask these questions because I really want to have the internship opportunities at any private companies in the US particularly in the area of business analysis, research, financial analyst or any form of opportunities relate to my major. I know it is hard to be accepted due international student status because most of the internships are paid and offered to domestic students but one thing that we have been told by the career service staff is that keep try to it does not hurt to try. There are some organizations that would offer unpaid internship for international students.

I am very intrigued by the effectiveness of the system at our university because it connects you to the world: It connects you with thousands U of M alumni and some big 500 companies in the Twin city area. Right now, I am planning to apply for a summer internship in Minneapolis area and hopefully I can get the chance.

I would certainly advise future students to take the opportunities that are available on campus because besides studying hard in class, you also need to network by attending some events on campus or joining student club that is of your interest. Let me share with you about the 10 attributes that employers seek for: Leadership, ability to work in a team, written communication, problems solving skills, strong work ethic, analytical/quantitative skills, initiative and computer skills. These are the important attribute besides the GPA and if you have some of them, you might be able to apply for the internship.