The Career Center will be hosting guest speaker Lauren Berger, an internship expert, at Auburn Wednesday, Feb. 6.
Berger, founder and CEO of Intern Queen Inc. will be in Foy Hall Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. sharing personal stories on her success from 15 internships during her four years at college.
Meaghan Weir, a career counselor, has been following Berger's social media sites and website for about a year now. In early fall 2012, Weir sparked an interest in bringing Berger to Auburn's campus.
"I started talking to her agency and we identified spring 2013 as the best time to bring her to Auburn," Weir said.
Berger also wrote a book "All Work, No Pay" that came out in January 2012. Her book talks about how to find internships, build your resume, make connections and gain work experience.
She made stops to a number of different colleges in 2011 including Kent State University, Syracuse University, Purdue University, University of Missouri and several others. Auburn is next on her list.
"Because she is a dynamic speaker, young and energetic I really think the students will connect with her story," Weir said.
The Career Center helps students throughout their entire college process. From deciding on or changing a major to finding a part-time job while in college or a job after college, that is the Career Center's ultimate goal.
They also help with resume and cover letter building and even do mock interviews for students who hope to gain extra skills.
Hayley Smith, junior in communications, is required to have an internship before she graduates.
"I think the Career Center does a good job of hosting these types of events, I have already been to one last semester and I found it really helpful," Smith said. "I think it is great that they found someone that has been so successful to talk to us because I know a lot of students are still trying to find an internship as we speak."
Smith plans on attending the Feb. 6 event.
The Career Center cannot stress enough how important it is to obtain an internship during the four years students have in school.
"Having experience related to your choose field is vastly important no matter what your major is," said Jay Skipworth, assistant director of employer relations and student employment. "Employers just expect you to have experience."
The National Association of Colleges and Employers put out their 2013 Job Outlook survey, and asked what attributes they are looking for in candidates as far as experience and skills. They also asked how important internships are, and 71 percent of employers said they wanted applicants to have related work experience.
This is why the Career Center felt the importance of giving students the chance to listen to someone such as Berger and the opportunity to ask her questions.
"She has really pioneered some unique ways to not only seek out internships, but to make something of them," Skipworth said. "I think that is the part that doesn't get emphasized enough."
Skipworth sees this event as an opportunity for students to learn from someone in their own generation.
Business Week Magazine named Lauren Berger number five on their annual list of Young Entrepreneurs 25 Under 25.
During her time at University of Central Florida, where she majored in organizational business communications, Berger held internships at MTV, FOX and NBC.
Now her fully established website InternQueen.com reaches students across the U.S. and Canada and helps them to not only find internships, apply and assist in the whole process.
Berger's attendance on campus is part of the Career Center's Experience Week. Each day there will be a different event which details can be found of the Career Center website www.auburn.edu/career.
Berger is a prominent national speaker and the Career Center encourages students to attend.
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