Stay Positive and Motivated

We know there is more to a job and internship search than talking to people, applying, interviewing, and deciding. Emotion, complexity, and nuance are present in navigating your search as you build resilience, celebrate wins, and experience disappointment. It’s an important part of the process to stay positive and motivated, and the four tasks below will help you do that.  Each has an explanation and steps in the links below. 

✅ Utilize Duke’s resources dedicated to helping you thrive while here as a student. Here are a few ways to take good care of yourself and those important to you; all are included in your tuition.

  • Review the services offered by CAPS (Counseling & Psychological Services)  including workshops and discussions, individual counseling, and TimelyCare (formerly Blue Devils Care) telehealth service for on-demand support if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
  • Check out this page specifically for Engineering Master’s students detailing additional Duke resources focused on wellness
  • Don’t know where to start? Email Pratt Master’s Student Services (pratt-masters-studentservices@duke.edu) for guidance on how you can engage or where you can get support.

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Dealing With Rejection

Advice from Candis Watts Smith, PhD. Professor of Political Science and Interim Vice Provost Undergraduate Education

Ever notice how rejections feel worse than the acceptances feel good?
Here’s something to keep in mind: This feeling is totally normal, but rejection …

By Greg Victory (he/him/his)
Greg Victory (he/him/his) Assistant VP Student Affairs/Fannie Mitchell Executive Director, Career Center
Read more

I don’t have an internship yet, and I’m kinda freaking out. -the 2024 edition!

Yes! It’s true! We know this is happening for many of you and hope that you’re working with a career coach to make your life and process easier.

Let’s look at some facts. Over the past four summers, this is …

By Cameo Hartz (she/her or they/them)
Cameo Hartz (she/her or they/them) Assistant Director, Engineering Master's Career Services & Professional Development
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Losing Momentum in Your Search? Tips for Staying Positive and Motivated

In 2019 we partnered with students and alums to investigate all of the tasks in a job or internship search and design the 8 Steps for Search Success. That night, a big topic was resilience. In fact, your peers put …

By Cameo Hartz (she/her or they/them)
Cameo Hartz (she/her or they/them) Assistant Director, Engineering Master's Career Services & Professional Development
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Beating the Winter Blues: 7 Tips for Staying Positive for College Students

The Winter Blues is real and as new college students, this could be a reality for you and maybe you need some guidance on how to combat this issue. CollegeRaptor provides 7 tips to help you stay positive if this …

By Sh'Maughn Wright, He/Him/His
Sh'Maughn Wright, He/Him/His Career Specialist
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Complete Employer Challenges with Forage to Gain Skills, Improve Networking Conversations, Strengthen Applications, & More

In today’s competitive job market, hands-on experience is more valuable than ever. For Engineering Master’s students, the journey from academia to a successful career can be challenging, but there’s a special tool at your disposal – Forage job simulations. These simulations …

By Chloë Benjamin (she/her)
Chloë Benjamin (she/her) Assistant Director, Engineering Master's Career Services and Professional Development
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Resources

If your search is not getting the results you want, it’s time to troubleshoot. First, start with the basics and …

Once you’ve established a solid search, improve your ability to incorporate the employer perspective. This single factor is often the …

Congratulations! You’ve got a solid search if you are:
✅ confidently submitting online applications
✅ reaching out to people at the organizations …

Start Your Search with Focus and a Plan.

These three steps will ensure your search is on track from start …

Common Scams Targeting International Students | Interstride

Job and Internship Search is one area where scammers sometimes pop up. This handy guide from Interstride, a resource you …

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