If students can’t make it to events or treks, the Cool Jobs and Internships Newsletter is the perfect way to stay on top of employment opportunities. Each week, Earnhardt compiles jobs from across the country and here in our town that stand out. Cool Jobs can truly be anything, from park rangers or museum curators—Earnhardt sends a list of diverse opportunities with his own spin. 

“I started adding some commentary at the bottom, which is just my thoughts for the week. And it's things that I see and I hear about,” said Earnhardt. “Before the holiday break there was a lot of talk about quiet quitting, this idea that people are only doing what they're asked to do. So, you know, a little bit of commentary just so students can see one person's perspective on the economy and on the hiring outlook and everything that plays into it.”

Earnhardt is passionate about getting the newsletter into the inboxes of all students who want to explore their career paths, and see where their degree can take them.

“I try to highlight the different types of careers that a student can have,” Earnhardt explains. “So, hopefully there's something for everyone, and I also encourage them to respond and say, ‘Hey, you know what? I haven't seen anything from fill-in-the-blank in a while. Would you mind kind of keeping an eye out for this?’ I try to make sure that they get what they're looking for.”

To sign up for the Cool Jobs newsletter, email career@unca.edu or sign up through this link.

The spring semester, just like the season, is a period of change and growth for many students. Seniors are approaching their last moments on campus, and what the real world looks like today. The constant waiting for internships or summer jobs weigh on students' shoulders. Freshman are celebrating their first year through, and thinking about their next steps towards their career. Even high school seniors are facing college decisions and the upcoming new phase of their lives. So with everything going on in a student’s life, how can they prepare for their years after college?

For starters, one of the biggest aspects of finding a job is the process of networking. Having an “in” with a company is helpful as you approach the application process. Whether your professor is friends with the hiring manager, or your parents know someone in the organization, these are great ways to enter with a bit more information and connection than just being another resume or applicant.

“That idea of networking often sounds scary to students who are unaccustomed, really it's the ability to connect with someone and find something you have in common,” said Earnhardt. “Even if you’re in a conversation with someone not in your industry, they might know someone who is. I always encourage people to ask at the end, ‘who else should I talk to?’ so you can start to dig into their network as well.”

Many students are in the process of applying for internships during the spring semester, some here in our neck of the woods and others all over the country. But it can be disheartening to apply to programs at the Smithsonian, NBC, or Wells Fargo, and know that you could be one out of 20,000. For many, the main question with these positions is, “how could I ever stand out?”

“Students jump to ‘What can I brag about? I’m a hard worker, I’m committed and I’m motivated,’” says Earnhardt. “But it’s really easy for the employer to say, ‘they’re really motivated…at what?’ The more detail, the more storytelling you can do in your documents, the more likely a student can put their hooks into the employer.”

In the end, careers, jobs, majors and internships can be confusing. The Career Center provides a home for resources like resume reviews, interview prep, and even headshots. Whether you’re a undecided sophomore, or a senior entering the workforce, the Career Center is here to help.