Getting graduate work experience typically involves working with your academic adviser or your school’s internship coordinator to find interesting places to seek employment while you are in school. In many cases, you will need to complete an application process that will involve the completion of essays, in-person interviews, and even background checks. Other things to think about include whether your graduate work experience will help you meet the requirements for completing your degree or obtaining professional licensure. In situations where you do not need to have any type of professional experience to earn your degree, you may still want to seek employment in your field while you are in school so as to increase your chances of finding employment after you graduate.
In many fields of study, students may be obligated to complete some form of graduate work experience, such as an internship, before they can earn their degrees. If you are pursuing graduate study in such a field, you will want to start looking at work experience options soon after you begin your studies, even if you aren't expected to complete your graduate work experience until later on in your program. The reason for this is that many internships fill up quickly and may require you to submit an application several months in advance prior to starting work. Depending on your program, you may want to talk to your academic adviser about good graduate work experience options, or you may be able to work with a dedicated school administrator who specializes in helping students find internships and field study placements.
Once you find several programs that interest you, find out about their application processes. While it is important to get the application deadline for each program, you should also familiarize yourself with the materials necessary to complete your application, as you may be expected to get references from professors and previous employers. You will need to request these letters early in the application process so as to give your references enough time to complete their letters and get them back to you. After submitting your applications, you will typically need to complete either telephone or in-person interviews with managers at the work sites to which you have applied. Hopefully you will be offered a position from at least one of these employers. If not, work with the internship coordinator at your school to find you a suitable placement.
If you are a graduate student in a field that does not require you to have work experience to graduate or get licensure in your profession, you may still want to get some graduate work experience. Not only can this provide you with needed income, but it can improve your chances of getting hired soon after graduation. Many schools maintain employment offices that can help you find work in your field. The secretary of your academic department may also maintain job listings for students who need or want to take a job while in school.