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Job Search Toolbox

Finding Jobs

Handshake

Image of the login page for Pratt's Handshake job search service.

Handshake is the go-to resource for students and alumni seeking employment, be it an internship, full or part time staff position, freelance work or volunteer positions. Employers from all industries and around the world seeking Pratt talent post thousands of opportunities each year. Whether you are starting out as a young professional or have years of experience and are planning a career transition, Handshake is your best bet for finding relevant opportunities. All students and alumni are granted access to Handshake for life.

Portfolios.pratt.edu

The CCPD hosts events where students and alumni can network with industry professionals and meet potential employers. In addition to career fairs, individual employers like Apple, Nike, Sony, David Yurman, and others host on-campus visits and online information sessions, review portfolios, recruit students and alumni, and conduct on-campus job interviews. Recruitment events are posted in Handshake and announced in our newsletter. Stay up to date with our events by regularly checking Handshake and Engage.

Finding Internships

While you can successfully land high-quality internship experiences, much of your success will be dependent on how and when you conduct your internship search. A great goal is to start searching 1-2 semesters ahead of the semester in which you plan to intern.

Below are a few tips to help you get started on the right track for finding the right internship.

Where to find internship postings

  • Handshake – our free online job board specifically for Pratt students and alumni
  • Check our web resources list for job boards and other sites
  • LinkedIn – Create a LinkedIn account and use LinkedIn to network online
  • Ask friends, family, and faculty if they have any leads for opportunities that may exist in your field/area of interest
  • Keep a list of companies and organizations, along with specific names and contact information as you create your internship opportunity list.
  • Schedule an appointment with the internship faculty member in your department. Your internship faculty can assist you in the search process and help you locate opportunities.
  • Remember to follow up with any employers who interview you. Send them a thank you email or letter.
  • If you have never done an interview before and would like some guidance,  talk to a career strategist in the CCPD.
  • Make sure you understand all contracts or paperwork involved in starting an internship. If you are not sure about anything, make an appointment to speak with someone in the CCPD or with your departmental internship faculty before signing anything!

Career Appointments

If you need help finding an internship, schedule an appointment with your career strategist in the CCPD. A strategist can help you devise an appropriate strategy for securing an internship, including:

  • Preparing your résumé, cover letter, and other marketing materials
  • Preparing for an interview
  • Identifying the right kinds of internships to meet your career goals
  • Searching for roles in Handshake to find the best opportunities

International Student Internships

International students must file for CPT for any off-campus work including paid or unpaid internships and volunteer opportunities. International students must complete one (1) full year of study before becoming eligible for CPT.

If you are interning in any situation (paid or unpaid) you must complete the Curricular Practical Training requirements to obtain an I-20 form for each internship. Please reference the Office of International Affairs information on Curricular Practical Training (CPT) (www.pratt.edu/about/offices/office-of-international-affairs/employment/).

Additional Career and Professional Development Resources

The CCPD has a collection of valuable resources on numerous career and professional development subjects. We are currently undergoing a project to find the best ways to share these resources with our community. For now, you can access our guides, list of outside websites, organizations, and other industry resources, and some other additional information through our CCPD Resources Drive Folder.

  • CCPD YouTube
    • The CCPD has hosted a number of recorded events and webinars over the years that can be viewed on the CCPD YouTube Channel.
  • Newsletter
    • The CCPD newsletter is sent to students and alumni twice a month through the Handshake system. Throughout the semester, we deliver a curated list of high-quality opportunities relevant to the Pratt community that includes announcements for fellowships, open calls, residencies, scholarships, competitions, and industry news. 
  • Social Media
    • Follow @PrattCCPD on Instagram to get the most up-to-date information about all our programs and services, resources, and industry related news