His most recent search took him to Quebec, Canada, to coordinate an engineering internship program with AMETVS, is a professional organization of transportation and specialty equipment manufacturers. The first intern will travel to Quebec for the summer 2007 term, joining the ranks of college students embarking upon internships before graduation.

Why are internships so important for students? Employers are looking for more than just a college education and a major; they want to see that students have applied their knowledge in the real world.

“While you’re at Clemson University, you need get some type of practical experience that is related to your major,” says Nunamaker. “Summer jobs, internships, shadowing experiences, co-opping, something. That is one of the top items that employers look for when they come to the Career Center.”

All students are eligible to complete internships, with the Career Center staff and counselors available to help students figure out what they want to do and how to find it.

“The first step is to figure out, whether it’s sitting down with a counselor or it’s just internally, the self-reflection, what’s their interest area,” Numamaker explains. “If they can only be tied to a certain region, or if they know they want to go into sales … what are the parameters.”

Once a student sets parameters, a counselor can help from there, researching possible employers and building resumes. Counselors are available via phone, email or walk-in appointments.

“If we can get the student in the front door, even if they just want to come in and look around, they don’t even have to speak with anybody, I thinks that’s kind of the first step really,” Nunamaker said.

“Everybody’s gotta start somewhere.”

Learn more about the internship program by going online to career.clemson.edu/students/internship.htm, or contact Troy Nunamaker a tnunama@clemson.edu or (864) 656-1844.