Emily Irigoyen

Business management major Emily Irigoyen has been able to combine her UCF classes and hands-on work experience to sharpen her skills. Emily’s past experiences have also allowed her to learn several tips and tricks when it comes to looking for an internship.

Emily Irigoyen has quite the resume. She previously interned at a local start-up company and is currently a College Work Experience Program (CWEP) participant with UCF/Lockheed Martin. How did she manage this? For starters, she explained, “Networking is one of the most…important things when it comes to securing an internship.” One of the tools that Emily uses to network is LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a career-focused social network that allows students to connect with staff, alumni, and fellow students to build a network that can support them in their job or internship search. Additionally, Emily advises students get their resume reviewed multiple times by multiple people to truly highlight one’s experiences and skillset. And, she says, it can’t hurt to have two versions of your resume handy: a general one, plus one that’s tailored to a particular job description.

Emily’s experiences have complimented her business management studies by allowing her to gain hands-on experience, which she says she is grateful for. Courses related to one’s major are certainly useful, Emily says, but they’re not an adequate substitute for the lived experience an internship provides.

Emily jumped into the internship search the summer after her freshman year at UCF, and she recommends other students do the same. “Going to career expos and internship fairs can certainly be intimidating as an underclassman,” she says, “but these kinds of experiences only prepare you for the future and strengthen your professional skills in the long run.”

What is the result of all this hard work? Emily has the experience, technical proficiency, and soft skills she will need to compete in the job market. She is thankful for the people who have supported her and walked alongside her. She says, “Being able to work with other UCF students as well as full-time employees with many years of experience has been incredibly and impactful and insightful. I am grateful to work with people who encourage me to ask questions and support my journey as an intern.”