Three NYU Students Share Post-Grad Plans And How They Got There

For seniors, the pressure of finding a job post-grad is one of the most stressful parts of the entire year. Hours of work have been invested into internships, volunteer activities, and clubs, giving students the experience they need to secure a job in the real world. However, despite many students being qualified for the positions they’re applying for, many aren’t hearing back or are facing rejection. In this piece, three NYU students share their experiences on landing internships and making connections that have set them up for post-grad success. 

Keep reading to get some helpful tips on things you can do when looking for that first job after graduation. 

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Morgan Austrich is in NYU’s College of Arts and Sciences, studying Art History, with a minor in Urban Design and Architecture Studies. 

Q: Over the years, how many internships have you had? What was your role in them? 

A: “Throughout college, I have had three internships and four on-campus jobs. All of my internships have been related to the arts. The first two were in museums. My current internship is at a non-profit that develops resources relating to the legal side of the arts. I have also worked in three different tutoring positions at the NYU Writing Center, and currently work at NYU’s Grey Art Museum as a Visitor Services Assistant.” 

Q: Do you think these internships helped prepare you for the jobs you have now and for future full-time roles? How so?

A: “I think every opportunity I have taken has taught me a useful skill or provided me with relevant experience for a future application. Further, they have all helped me to decide what I want to pursue for my career and have taught me what type of work I enjoy most. Many work skills are very universal and you can apply them to a variety of things. For example, I can use my experience working the front desk of a museum to demonstrate my strong communication and organizational skills, which can be transferable to many different positions in a variety of fields. Every experience is beneficial in some way.”

Q: What will you be doing after graduation?

A: “After graduation, I plan to take a gap year before going to law school. I want to focus on intellectual property law and work on the legal side of the arts. I am currently applying for several interesting jobs in my gap year and have some exciting opportunities on the horizon.” 

Q: What’s a piece of advice you can offer students who may be beginning their job search process? What’s the one thing you wish you knew beforehand? 

A: “My advice would be don’t get discouraged! I have been rejected from so many positions, but I have also had some amazing opportunities. Especially living in NYC, which is so competitive, it’s really important to cast a wide net with your applications. Trust that if you don’t get a position, it is not meant to be, and another opportunity may be right around the corner.”

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Sarah Munis is in NYU’s Stern School of Business, studying Business, Technology, and Entrepreneurship.

Q: When you think back to applying to colleges, what made you want to study business? What were your goals back then?

A: “I wanted to study business because I want to start my own business one day. My parents have been business owners my whole life, and I’m inspired by them to do it too. I hope to help solve problems in the world and create opportunities for people.” 

Q: Over the years, how many internships have you had? What was your role in them?

A: “I have had 5 internships during my college experience. I’ve been a design intern, finance intern, market research intern, and creative design intern.” 

Q: How did you find these internships? And what was your application approach like?

A: “My first internship in college was at a startup and I just DM’ed the CEO on Instagram letting them know that I love what they are doing and how I would love to help in any way. Another internship was through a family friend who told me about a finance internship, and I applied and interviewed for the position. Another internship was during my study abroad in Paris at a startup, and I interviewed directly with the CEO. For my consulting internships, I applied through the website and had rounds of interviews.” 

Q: What will you be doing after graduation? What was the process like when applying for this job? Did you consult any resources you found helpful?

A: “I will be a Management Consulting Analyst at Accenture Song in San Francisco. I’m not sure what the role will exactly entail, but I know I will get to help deliver creative solutions for global clients! I interned for Accenture Song during my sophomore year summer and my junior year summer, and then I got a return offer for a full-time position.” 

Q: What’s a piece of advice you can offer students who may be beginning their job search process? What’s the one thing you wish you knew beforehand?

A: “I would say to try and intern at many different types of companies, from small startups to large companies and in different industries. Explore many types of roles and use every internship to learn about what you are or are not interested in. What you may come into college thinking that you want to do, may not be what you think, and that’s ok! College and adulthood are about exploring and learning! I wish I had known beforehand that it’s okay not to know what exactly I want to do and that most people don’t know either... they just act like it.” 

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Melody Simone is in NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, studying Media, Culture, and Communication. 

Q: Over the years, how many internships have you had? What was your role in them?

A: “I had many internships throughout my time to determine my interest. Starting in high school, I started working on news networks, hosting and reporting on news in my community. I then started interning at film sets and theater productions. I have a passion for media entertainment, so production and directing assistant were the roles I aimed for. I mainly worked on logistics and media analysis for production. I appreciated the behind-the-scenes work that goes into film and theater.” 

Q: What will you be doing after graduation? What was the process like when applying for this job? Did you consult any resources you found helpful?

A: “I eventually want to look for positions in producing. I'm currently working in Film and TV development, which focuses on analyzing and improving scripts before production starts.  My previous experience helped me in terms of my resume, but I got my job from the connections I gained. Talking to people about my passion allowed me to get jobs I didn't even know I'd find interesting.” 

Q: What advice can you offer students beginning their job search process? What thing do you wish you had known beforehand? 

A: “Get connections and keep them. Once you get a connection, you don't stop it. You need to be consistent with the people in your circle for them to remember who you are and that you are worth it.” 

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It always seems frustrating in the in-between, especially when you hear no after no. However, a great reminder is that everything happens for a reason, and you will find the role for you.