It’s a stressful thought, especially when your best friend is right on track with his 14-year plan to become the president of the United States.

Even if you haven’t started your search for an internship or job, it’s OK. Yes, you still have time, and yes, you can still, one day, have those 53 Italian-marble fountains in your backyard.

Here’s a short list of where you can look for your perfect opportunity:

1. Twitter: Did you know Syracuse University has an amazing tweeting presence? In late January, SU was ranked No. 2 by Klout.com in a list of 14 colleges. The university and accompanying organizations always post jobs and internships. Check it out: www.twitter.com/sujobs.

2. OrangeLink: In case you’re new to OrangeLink, get yourself acquainted as soon as possible. OrangeLink is SU’s version of Monster.com. Thousands of job opportunities and contact information for employers are posted on the site, as well as electronic resume drops. The best part: It’s only accessible to SU students, so sign up as soon as you can.

3. Facebook: Check out the ‘Syracuse University Career Services’ page on Facebook. You’ll find upcoming events, advice, postings and other useful resources. Don’t underestimate the power of these social media sites, and definitely look into all the content posted on them.

4. Company’s website: Sometimes the best first step is a simple Google search. Find a company specializing in the field you want to pursue. Next, look for employment opportunities and the contact information for human resources. Send e-mails or make phone calls (those still work, you know). And don’t give up: Persistence is key. Employers will value your willingness to pursue the job.

5. Campus events: You probably already know career fairs are great places to meet employers and drop your resume. But talking to campus speakers, who are invited onto campus almost every day, is also another way to network and make connections. Whether your dream company is Apple, Pepsi or Xerox, attend the lecture. Listen, learn and ask questions. At the end, mingle, schmooze and score a business card — voila! You now have direct contact with the company you’ll be working for in just a few months.

— Compiled by Amrita Mainthia, asst. feature editor, mainthia@syr.edu

Published on February 23, 2011 at 12:00 pm