UTRGV marketing and management senior Katia Perez-Flores is interning at Los Cedros Apartments in Brownsville, where she helps promote the complex via social media.
Perez-Flores earned her internship with the help of the Career Center’s All In Internship program.
“When I [started], I knew nothing about leasing and just a little of marketing [from] what I learned in the classroom,” she said. “Once I got there, I started working with the numbers, with the data [and] with the people.”
She realized that she can improve marketing efforts by utilizing social media, in addition to advertising in traditional newspapers.
The Career Center will host Internship Week, which will consist of several sessions aimed at bridging the gap between students and employers.
Internship Program 101 will kick off the week of events, taking place from 12:15 to 1 p.m. today in STAC 1.101 on the Edinburg campus.
In Brownsville, it will be hosted from 10 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 2 p.m. today in Salón Cassia. Workforce Solutions Cameron will provide a Soft Skills/Interviewing Techniques session from 2 to 3 p.m. at the same location.
Career Center Director Juan Andres Rodriguez-Nieto said the purpose of the events is to promote internships and emphasize why participating in the program is critical for life after college.
“[Students should] go to any sessions that they are interested in,” Rodriguez-Nieto said. “Don’t worry, right now, attire is not an issue. It’s not like a career fair, where you are going to be meeting with employers. If you’re looking for employment, then you’ll definitely dress in business-casual attire, at least. Go to those sessions, talk to the employers, be open to learning more.”
All In Internship Coordinator Andrea Torres said her job is to assist students who are interested in an internship. Torres and John Kaufold, Career Center internship coordinator on the Edinburg campus, will help students during next week’s events.
“One essential thing is, obviously, have a résumé ready, because a résumé will get you a long way and you never know if you might have an interview that same day or [an employer] might want to schedule an interview,” Torres said.
Ronnie Garcia, assistant director of Employer Relations, said he hopes students who participate in the event will have a better understanding of how to become an intern.
“[We] really want students to know that it’s important to start thinking about careers early on in their college experience, and internships provide a step in the right direction to get their foot in the door with the company that they want to establish a career path after graduation,” Garcia said.
Internship Week will conclude with an open house at the Career Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday on both campuses, where students can learn more about the services it provides.
The Career Center is located in Cortez Hall 129 on the Brownsville campus and in Student Services Building 2.101 on the Edinburg campus.
To view the full Internship Week schedule, visit utrgv.edu/careercenter/events/internship-week.
