WINTER 2023 13 successful internships for students, while offering recommendations on where to post those opportunities for student visibility. Similarly, three times a month, we compile and share opportunities for students in an email that showcases internships, as well as full- and part-time opportunities. Nationally, over 60 percent of undergraduates complete an internship during college (National Association of Colleges and Employers, 2019). Following the internship, a full 70 percent of these student interns receive a full-time employment offer from the same employer. This data tells us that about one-third to one-half of students don’t even have to enter the job market after they graduate to gain employment. From an employer perspective, this reinforces the value of an active and effective internship program. Interns who convert to full-time employees with the same employer also exhibit higher one- and five-year retention rates with the employer. OPENING DOORS ANDMAKING CONNECTIONS Finally, in the College of Natural Resources and Environment, we consider other ways to help students engage with professionals while learning about career opportunities. These include introductions to alumni or industry partners, job shadowing opportunities, and employer engagement through student organizations, panel discussions, lunch-and-learn opportunities, full-day visits, and classroom presentations. These panel discussions and evening careerready seminars cover a range of practical topics, such as resumé review, how to make a good impression, building professional relationships, following your passion, and how to be a leader at any level. Within any 12-month span, more than 50 percent of our students engaged in at least one networking or careerrelated event. With an overarching goal of connecting our Students in Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment participate in career fairs that connect them with potential employers. Map of locations for CNRE 2022 student internships.
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