By Christa B. Downey, Assistant Dean and Director, A&S Career Services
Internship applications already? It’s only September! Can’t these wait?
If you are like most Economics sophomores, you are already thinking about your career, maybe even have some ideas about career possibilities, but truthfully are not ready to commit to anything just yet. The good news is you don’t have to commit just yet. What you should do if you want to be competitive in the job market, is gain knowledge and experience in fields of interest. This could be in the form of student clubs, job shadowing programs like FRESH &
EXTERN, and eventually internships.
The summer following your junior year should be spent doing what you hope to do after graduation. This is your goal so think about planning backwards from here. For example, if you hope to work on Wall Street after graduation, you should spend the next year or two engaging in activities that will make you competitive for a junior-year internship on Wall Street since most firms select their full-time hires from the intern pool. If you hope to get a Ph.D. in
Economics, you should be discussing these plans with faculty early on and gaining significant research experience as an undergraduate. There are many other career options for Economics majors, including work in government, policy organizations, education, and various areas of business. Talk with a career counselor in A&S Career Services about where your interests lie and how to gain relevant experience.
It’s ok to spend a couple of years exploring various options. You don’t have to commit to a particular career path in your first couple of years at Cornell, but in order to be prepared for the job market, you should explore and gain experience. Keep in mind that even once you accept your first job, you are likely to switch career fields several times in your lifetime. You are not determining the rest of your life at this point.
Gaining Experience
Cornell has several economic, business, and government related student clubs. These are great ways to see if you really enjoy the work. Job shadowing is another way to see if the industry culture is right for you. The FRESH and EXTERN programs allow you to shadow an alumnus/a and see what life is like in a variety of fields. Participate more than once. You’ll never have this opportunity again.
The relative value of an internship in industry is greater than that of participation in any student club. There are many internship opportunities for sophomores and we recommend getting to

know staff in A&S Career Services no later than December or January of sophomore year. We will work with you on your resume, cover letters, and interviewing skills to help you tailor your application and find an angle that works for you.
Advice from parents and alumni can be value, but keep in mind that the demand for internship experiences has increased considerably, particularly when looking at the rise of Cornell students seeking internships in finance and consulting over the past several years. It’s crucial that you have your materials reviewed by experts in A&S Career Services who know what employers are looking for in recent graduates.
The equilibrium point for securing internships in finance rests on a combination of high GPA, internship experience, club involvements and personal qualities. Don’t get so involved in activities that you neglect your GPA.
Taking Action: Inform Yourself
Learn everything you can about the particular industries you wish to enter. Read relevant publications, take courses, join relevant clubs, and talk with alumni. Whether you plan to go to
Wall Street, Washington D.C., or academia, you need knowledge of the industry and experience in the trenches. If you plan to work in business, read the Wall Street Journal. For a policy career, find the appropriate newspapers, journals, and blogs to keep you up-to-date.
If you are looking to veer off the beaten path, talk with A&S Career Services staff about how to connect with alumni to learn from their experiences.
Christa Downey, Diane Miller, and Ana Adinolfi in A&S Career Services look forward to seeing you soon.