COVID-19 Impacts on Summer Internships and Full-Time Employment

As the world continues to respond to the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic, many timelines and expectations are in flux. In addition to other concerns, we know that many of you are wondering how this situation will impact your summer internships and/or post-graduation employment and what you should do next.

Select one of the following scenarios to find clear steps you should take. As always, the Eller College Professional Development Center team is here to help you through this unique time.

Next Steps

Internship or Full-time Offer Rescinded

We know you put a considerable amount of time and effort at the Eller College of Management to secure your full-time job or internship, and now COVID-19 has thrown a big wrench into your plans. While that may be disappointing, this is not a time for you to beat yourself up. If a company rescinds their offer to you, it is not a reflection on you or your potential worth to that or other organizations.

The good news is that there are still some internship and job opportunities available and a multitude of other ways to gain professional skills that will allow you to have a meaningful summer. Below are some steps to help you think through restarting your search process. Additionally, be sure to stay in contact with your employer by writing a note or email (see sample language below); it can be helpful to stay in touch with your connections for future opportunities when the market rebounds.

Interested in Finding an Internship or Full-time Job? Restart Your Search Process

1. Prep and Seek Support
   
   • Update your documents and profiles
     • Be sure to review your resume, Handshake and LinkedIn profiles and make sure they are up-to-date.
   • Meet with an Eller Career Coach
     • All career coaches have virtual appointment options, and it’s great if you can come ready with specific questions. You can schedule a half hour appointment with a career coach through eSMS by selecting "Career and Professional Development Advising" under the appointment type you are seeking dropdown.
2. Strategize, Network and Stay Organized
   
   • Create a document where you can track positions you are applying to and contacts you have at those organizations.
   • Utilize multiple channels to search for opportunities and networking connections including Handshake and LinkedIn. 
3. Add Timelines and Structure to your Search Process
   
   • Think of your internship or job search as a class and set aside time each week to focus on your search.
     • Set short-term goals for yourself each week (for example: by Friday I will update my resume and profiles and set-up my key “saved searches” in Handshake).
     • Celebrate wins!

Additional Steps to Help Your Search Process

1. Practice your Interview Skills
   
   • Conduct a mock interview with an Eller Career Coach. You can schedule a live-synchronous mock interview or conduct it through an asynchronous, pre-recorded interview environment through Sparkhire, which many companies utilize through their regular process already.
2. Network with your Career Ecosystem
   
   • There are tons of resources and people that you have around you that you can (and should) lean on for support
     • From faculty and staff to other students, utilize your personal network, LinkedIn and your Eller career coach can help you uncover and build your network.
   • Don’t hesitate to share that you are searching with your community both in person and virtually (see sample language for a LinkedIn post below).

SAMPLE EMAIL TO EMPLOYER AFTER OFFER IS RESCINDED:
Dear Ms. or Mr. ________________ (substitute first name if appropriate and used previously),

Thank you for your email during this challenging transition. I hope you and your family are safe and healthy.

I am grateful that you selected me as a potential member of your team at ________________ (organization). I am still passionate about this industry and especially the work at ________________ (organization). Right now, I am finishing up this semester at the University of Arizona Eller College of Management remotely and have had the opportunity to continue my research on ________________ (your industry) and developing additional (skills or proficiencies) in ________________ (skills from classes, or self-study like LinkedIn workshops or classes that would add value such as programming and/or professional certifications).

As things change in the coming weeks and months, I would like to stay in touch and would welcome the chance to complete projects remotely.

Again, thank you for being in touch regarding the internship. I look forward to hearing how things improve for you and will be in touch to see how you are doing.

Sincerely,
Your Name

SAMPLE LINKEDIN POST ABOUT YOUR SEARCH PROCESS:

Hello LinkedIn Community!

Option 1 opening statement: I recently found out that because of COVID-19 my summer 2020 internship (or full time) offer has been rescinded, and I am reaching out to my LinkedIn community for support.

Option 2 opening statement: As I finish up this semester at the Eller College of Management remotely, I am reaching out to my LinkedIn community for support with my internship search.

 I am a (junior) majoring in (Marketing)/I am a soon to be graduate with a degree in Business with a major in (Management.) Last summer, I interned with a local start-up focused on educating residents on the benefits of solar energy. I would love to work with an organization looking for motivated individuals who approach their work every day with dedication and passion. Through leadership roles and work experience I have experience in data analysis, executing strategic initiatives and managing simultaneous projects with urgency.

If anyone knows of career-related(full-time) opportunities that are related to ________________, I would really appreciate if they could be sent my way. Feel free to message me or email me at ________________.

Thank you all for your support!

Other Options for a Meaningful Summer

If you don’t end up with an internship this summer, there are still options to have a meaningful and impactful summer.

1. Network and Conduct Informational Interviews
   
   • Connect with other students, alumni and/or employer partners to explore career paths, clarify your goals and expand your professional network.
   • You can utilize your network, LinkedIn and your career coach can help you connect with Eller alumni.
2. Search and Apply for a Part-Time Job
   
   • There are employers hiring now for part-time employees, and you can search platforms including Handshake, LinkedIn and Indeed to find those opportunities.
3. Volunteer in your Community
   
   • Assist a local nonprofit with a project that builds your resume while assisting others. You can explore opportunities and organizations on sites like Activate Good, VolunteerMatch or Idealist.
4. Develop your Skills and Continue Learning
   
   • Eller summer classes.
   • Level up your skills through the Eller Level Up Tech Workshops
   • LinkedIn Learning
   • Many companies are offering free online training (e.g. Salesforce Trailhead or SAS Training Courses)

Active Internship or Full-time Offer

While we know this is a stressful time, try to practice positivity. It is easy to jump to conclusions and get bogged down in the negative news cycle. Remind yourself of the good in your life and focus on the things you can control, not the things you cannot.

If you are worried about your offer and have not heard from your recruiter or future manager, now would be a great time to contact them with questions.

Stay Connected with Your Future Employer

1. Reach out to your employer directly (sample language below)
   
   • Be patient, gracious and understanding in your outreach, employers are dealing with change too.
   • Reassure your employer of your excitement and interest in the opportunity and willingness to be flexible given the current labor market situation.
   • Confirm start date and determine whether you will be working on-site or remotely.
2. Continue to stay in touch with your employer after the initial contact

SAMPLE EMAIL TO EMPLOYER CONFIRMING OFFER:
Dear Ms. or Mr. ________________ (substitute first name if appropriate and used previously),

First, I hope you and your family are safe and healthy during this transition. I am excited to come to your firm and begin making an impact for your group.

Right now, I am finishing up this semester at the Eller College of Management remotely and have had the opportunity to continue my research on ________________ (your industry) and developing additional (skills or proficiencies) in ________________ (skills from classes, or self-study like LinkedIn Learning workshops or classes that would add value such as programming and/or professional certifications).

I’m aware that many companies are moving to remote operations, are there any actions you need me to take prior to my start date?

Again, I look forward to becoming a member of your team at ________________.

Sincerely,
Your Name

Need More Help or Have Follow-up Questions?
Schedule a half hour appointment with a career coach through eSMS by selecting "Career and Professional Development Advising" under the appointment type you are seeking dropdown.

Internship or Full-time Job Search

If you are currently searching for a summer internship or full-time position please know that you are not alone. Due to COVID-19, many students are facing uncertainty; however there are still internship and full-time opportunities available and a multitude of other ways to gain professional skills that will allow you to have a meaningful summer.

Energize Your Internship and Job Search Process 

Other Options for a Meaningful Summer