What Types of Experiences Are Recruiters Seeking?

Acquiring practical experience while pursuing an IT degree is crucial for enhancing your skill set and boosting your employment prospects. Such experience offers the chance to obtain real-world insights and develop hands-on knowledge that extends beyond theoretical learning. Nevertheless, the high technical skill and knowledge demands of a STEM career can pose challenges for students and novices seeking to break into the field. Overcoming this barrier involves comprehending the kinds of experience that recruiters value in prospective candidates.

Internships

A team works on an IT Project

Completing an internship whilst studying create an advantage in obtaining a graduate role or entering the highly competitive and challenging STEM industry. Internships are crucial in understanding more about a particular field of study as you gain practical experience and discover strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, internships demonstrate to potential employers and recruiters the professionalism and transferable skills required regardless of where you take your STEM career.

Projects Experience

Recruiters seek candidates who engage in projects pertinent to their field of study, as it demonstrates a proactive stance and the practical application of their knowledge. While acquiring knowledge through academic degrees is important, it is equally crucial to exhibit this knowledge through the initiation or collaboration in projects. Such experiences, along with any accomplishments, relevant links, and the project's impact, should be detailed in one's resume. This allows recruiters to gauge a candidate's full potential and their ability to apply both technical and soft skills. It illustrates a capacity for innovation and critical thinking in addressing real-world challenges, which are vital in STEM careers. In essence, project involvement can significantly bolster a resume by showcasing a candidate's capabilities and practical experience to potential employers.

How to get started

Demonstrate how you have both created and used technology

Here are three steps that you can do to gain experience as a student or graduate in the STEM industry:

1. Develop an app, website, or game to address a problem. This will enhance your technical skills, demonstrate leadership and teamwork capabilities, and showcase your creativity, dedication, and initiative.  
   

2. Learn new technical skills through the internet such as YouTube and online learning platforms. By doing this, you will expand your skill set which can enhance your resume allowing you to stand out on job applications.
   

3. Participate in projects at your university. Whether you are still studying or a recent graduate, ensure that you participate in any projects as it can give you real-world experiences and allow you to explore different areas within your field of study. This can be achieved by reaching out to lecturers, tutors or student associations about possible opportunities that need assistance or volunteers.

While having relevant experience is crucial for joining the STEM industry, it is important to have a well-formatted resume that is tailored to each job application, demonstrate a high level of communication in interviews and display authenticity in all stages of the hiring process.

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