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Career Connections Center

Find a Job

Job and internship search strategies

There’s no single path to landing the right opportunity—successful searches combine multiple strategies. Use our Job & Internship Search Template to create a customized plan that includes all three methods for the best results.

1. Online job boards

Start by exploring platforms like Handshake, LinkedIn, and other industry-specific boards. These sites list thousands of opportunities and are a great way to see what’s out there—even if you’re not ready to apply yet. Browsing postings helps you understand what employers are looking for and identify roles that match your interests.

2. Networking

Many jobs and internships are never posted online. Building relationships with alumni, faculty, and professionals in your field can open doors to hidden opportunities. Attend networking events, connect on LinkedIn, and don’t hesitate to reach out for informational interviews.

3. Direct outreach

If there’s an organization you’re excited about, don’t wait for a posting, reach out directly. A well-crafted email expressing interest can lead to conversations and opportunities that aren’t advertised.

Follow these steps

Step 1: Find positions that interest you

Find the right job boards for your field, industry, level of experience, and/or geographic location. Depending on the industry, some of the best jobs may be posted on smaller, “niche” sites.

Here are a few to get you started:

  • Handshake: Job board especially for companies looking for students and new graduates.
  • Indeed.com: Large, general job board that pulls from other sites for a comprehensive listing. 
  • Additional job boards: Search listings on job boards for your industry; websites for professional organizations; or visit organizations you might like to work for, as their sites might contain information about pursuing careers in the field.

Step 2: Get interviews through referrals (networking)

Contact the people in your network. Encourage them to send job positions your way or to refer you to job interviews. Expand your network by meeting alumni and others in your line of work.

People you already know: Friends, family, and friends of family members Faculty and department administrators Fellow student club members Colleagues from work, volunteering, or internships

Connect with alumni who might help you on LinkedIn. Most alumni indicate their Clark affiliations on their profiles   Alumni chapter gatherings 

Step 3: Create your own opportunity

Some organizations will create a customized internship for you if you show an interest. Approach them with a spirit of curiosity to explore possibilities.

Take these steps:

  1. Define your internship goals: What do want to learn? What skills do you want to use or practice?
  2. Identify organizations where you might like to intern.
  3. Determine the best person to speak with at that organization.
  4. Is there someone who can introduce you? A colleague, friend, alumni, or faculty member?
    • If so, ask that person to arrange a meeting.
    • If not, send an inquiry email describing your interests and asking for a short meeting or phone call to discuss possibilities. Attach your resume.
Make AN appointment

Helpful resources

Job boards

a student and emplyer interact at a career fair

Handshake is Clark University’s career management system for students, employers, and alumni.

You’ll find thousands of internship and job opportunities in a diverse array of industry and geographical settings, as well as valuable resources tailored for Clark students.

Log into Handshake with your Clark credentials to get started, or Learn more about Handshake.

Other job boards

LinkedIn: A professional networking tool that allows you to identify potential contacts in your field of interest; research companies; and explore career options. Visit Clark’s LinkedIn page to search for alumni.

Indeed.com and Simplyhired.com: Two sites that pull together job postings from multiple places, including company websites.

Idealist: A comprehensive resource for careers and volunteer positions in the nonprofit world.

Mntrship: A platform built to connect young people with local employers.

How do I locate alternate job boards for my field or industry?

  1. Search using Google: “Job boards for (name industry or profession).”
  2. Look at the websites for professional organizations in your industry.
  3. Ask professionals (e.g., alums, colleagues, supervisors, professors, friends of parents, etc.) in that industry what boards they know about or use.
  4. Go to conferences for your industry — there may be on-site job boards or “meet-the-employer” events.
  • Dice: Tech jobs of all kinds
  • VentureFizz: Tech jobs and podcasts, especially for the Boston area
  • Wellfound: Tech jobs (and more) at startups

Media, Language and Culture

  • behance.net: Art, graphic design, illustration, motion graphics, photography, web design
  • ihirecommercialart.com: Graphic design, 3D design, illustration, multi–media design 
  • media-match.com: Media Match + Music Jobs, film, TV, music and gaming 
  • dice.com: Tech jobs, gaming
  • mediabistro.com: Social media, advertising, public relations, film, tv design, publishing
  • the-dots.com: Creative roles, from PR and marketing to broadcast journalism 

Visual and Performing Arts

Culture and Humanities

Museums
  • aam-us.org: American Alliance of Museums
  • alhfam.org: Association of Living History, Farm, and Agricultural Museums
  • nemanet.org: New England Museum Association Jobs
Niche 

male student looking over career fair document
Contact information

Career Connections Center

Office location

Shaich Family Alumni and Student Engagement Center
(ASEC Building)
939 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01610

1-508-793-7258

1-508-421-3752 (fax)

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