This piece is the sixth in a series of “Ask an Alum” columns that will be periodically published online through a partnership between Elon University’s Young Alumni Council and The Pendulum.

There is tremendous opportunity in securing an internship. I wish I had actually believed and understood that when I was a student at Elon University.

An internship can do so much more for you than fulfill your experiential learning requirement and earn you course credit. The tough part is actually beginning the process of securing that opportunity. You are fortunate that Elon has invested in many resources that can make this process a lot easier than you think.

Check out the Student Professional Development Center

If you have been cruising around campus and somehow missed these wonderful folks, they are located on the first floor of Moseley. The SPDC runs a database called The Elon Job Network, which allows students to search for open internships and jobs. The team at the SPDC is constantly meeting with employers around the world to talk about ways they can plug in Elon students so the database is frequently and consistently updated with new opportunities.

If doing a general search sounds daunting, check out their Weekly Hot Sheet first – it has the big news on what’s available now. You can access both of these resources via Elon’s website, under the Student section as an Academic Resource – the page is called Career Services.

While you are looking at some of the internship openings, take a peek at the upcoming programming offered by the SPDC. They offer many events and seminars to help you put your best foot forward in your internship search.

Connect with the Young Alumni Council

The Young Alumni Council collaborates with Elon’s Office of Alumni Engagement and the Office of University Advancement to provide relevant and focused programs that continue to support, inspire and engage alumni as they transition into their lives after graduation. Perhaps more importantly though, its members remember what it feels like to be on the hunt for an internship. Many YAC folks may be in a position to hire an intern or have friends in your field that could be helpful.

Additionally, the YAC is working to build a mentor program and is constantly looking for students to pair young alumni with based on their career and on-campus interests and experiences. Class of 2009 alumna Chelsea Peabody is our point of contact for that effort. If you are interested in learning more about a mentor experience, you can email her at chelseaapeabody@gmail.com.

Connect with alumni in general

While the Young Alumni Council is a coordinated group, it is not the only alumni base that is interested in meeting you. Something else I did not fully grasp was the power of what I now call the Elon family. Your professors probably have a good sense of where some of their former students are now working. If they make a connection for you, follow through on it! I have yet to meet an Elon alum that is not thrilled to hear from a current student and we all want to help you.

Remember, even if you end up at an internship that makes you miserable, it is better to learn now what does not make you happy before you go too far down that career path. Good luck!

Kate Catlin graduated from Elon University in 2006. She lives in Raleigh and works as associate VP of communications for the North Carolina Chamber. Connect with her on Twitter at @katecatlin.