Different Paths, Same Goal: LSU Students Find Growth Through Summer Experiences

Summer is an opportunity for LSU students to gain new experiences, whether through internships or part-time work, summer school, or study abroad. The Olinde Career Center offers services to students to help them make the most of their summer.  

Jesse Downs, senior director of the Olinde Career Center, said the center offers numerous resources for students, meeting them where they are in their internship process.

“There are a lot of resources available for students,” Downs said. “Quinncia helps LSU students and alumni create standout resumes, strengthen LinkedIn profiles, and practice interviews anytime, anywhere. Additionally, the Career Center's Resume & Interview Guide is a valuable tool for developing lifelong skills in resume writing and interviewing.  Learning to market yourself through a resume or interview for a specific opportunity is a developed skill, and we have the resources to help students." 

 

 

Another tool, Handshake, is a career networking and job app for college students. It allows users to build their professional profiles, receive tailored job recommendations, apply for positions, and attend virtual career fairs.  

Career coaches work with students one-on-one to strengthen their resumes, ensuring they clearly showcase experience and are tailored to specific roles. Students can also get help planning for the application process through one-on-one resume review sessions and mock interviews, where they will receive direct feedback before applying to jobs or internships. 

“If you’ve been applying and not getting results, it might help to have someone review your resume or get feedback after interviews. There may be tactics you’re not using or connections you haven’t tapped into that could open new opportunities. Sometimes students feel like they have to do it alone, but they don’t," Downs said.

The Career Center also encourages students to go beyond applications and focus on building connections through networking. 

“When it feels like everything else is out of your control, you can still build connections, gain clarity, and open yourself up to opportunities you may not have considered,” Downs said. 

Jude Menard, a junior from Madisonville, La., studying computer science with a concentration in cybersecurity, is gaining experience through multiple roles this year, including internships in both cybersecurity and internal auditing. This summer, he will be working as an internal audit intern at Truist in Charlotte, North Carolina, while also continuing his work with the Stephenson Technologies Corporation, an LSU affiliate and non-profit focused on applied research and development. Menard said many of his opportunities came from the resources available to him at LSU, including academic programs and hands-on experiences that helped him prepare for these roles.

“My number one piece of advice is to access the resources that this school has to offer,” Menard said. “There are so many opportunities that will provide you with necessary skills and information, and employers will value that experience.” 

Calcea Johnson, a senior from New Orleans majoring in environmental engineering with a minor in anthropology, spent last summer and will be returning this summer to study abroad in Paris through LSU’s faculty-led program. Johnson said the experience has been transformative, helping her grow both academically and personally.

“To get the most out of a study abroad experience, you just have to be open to taking a step out of your comfort zone,” Johnson said. “It is unlike anything else you will experience, and you will gain many new perspectives about the world around you.” ​

But experience doesn’t have to come from a traditional internship to be considered valuable. Any experience, whether it’s a job, research, volunteering, or simply getting a credential, such as a certification, can make a huge impact on a student’s career. At the end of the day, employers want to see transferable skills, such as communication, leadership, and taking initiative. 

To help offset the costs involved with internships outside of Baton Rouge, the Career Center offers the Lagniappe Internship Fund, which supports students who might not otherwise be able to afford these opportunities. The fund helps cover costs like travel, housing, and daily expenses, making internships in more expensive cities or out of state more realistic and accessible. 

Going the extra mile, whether by utilizing Career Center resources or networking, can lead to new opportunities. After hearing a guest speaker in her class, one LSU student took the opportunity to reach out immediately, followed up with an email, and included a resume and portfolio. What started as a classroom interaction quickly turned into a job opportunity. Her recommendation: don't wait until everything is perfect: speak up, reach out, take the chance, and seize the opportunity. 

No matter where they are this summer, LSU students are finding ways to grow, proving there is no one path to success. Whether through internships, jobs or new experiences, each step is building toward something bigger and something worth working for.