NEXT CHAPTER NAVIGATOR 🐊 Issue No. 1 🐊 By Michele Dye, M.A. How I Got Hired 2 Years Before Graduation

My freshman year at UF was a rollercoaster. I started off with a bang--4.0 GPA during my first semester, which plummeted quickly after being blindsided with my parents' divorce and missing 3 weeks of school with the flu. At the end of my freshman year, I felt really lost and unsure of my major.

Thankfully, one of my friends who knew me well encouraged me to pursue an internship in the athletics department--an opportunity that I didn't even realize existed.

I started there July 11, 2000, and this internship changed my entire life.

Not only did I make lifelong friends and mentors, I learned so much about writing, editing, design, public relations, marketing and event management.

It didn't hurt that I got to meet and work with Coach Spurrier, Jeremy Foley, Jesse Palmer and loads of my favorite Gators that I grew up watching. 😍

This internship taught me waaaaay more than I learned in the classroom.

By the end of my sophomore year, my internship offered me a full-time job that I'd start once I graduated, as long as I kept up the good work for my remaining 2 years (which I did).

THE LESSON: Internships are vital to receiving job offers. Focusing solely on classes and extracurriculars is not enough in this competitive job market.

Today's students need to gain hands-on, real-world experience and begin developing critical professional relationships that will help them get hired upon graduation.

My goal of this newsletter is to make you aware of opportunities and resources so that you feel empowered to guide your child as they pursue their career.

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In the Know

The unemployment rate for recent college graduates is on the rise. You might be surprised that computer science majors have the highest unemployment rates among recent graduates. Read the Newsweek article.

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Important Dates

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Hot Internships

⏰ [Time Sensitive] Gators Creative Team (UF Athletics Department). Current full-time students only. Learn More.​

⏰ [Time Sensitive] Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp Communications Assistant (Tampa). Learn More.​

⏰ [Time Sensitive] Slumberkins E-Commerce Intern (Remote, Preference for Southwest Florida for occasional in-person work). Learn More.

⏰ [Time Sensitive] Walt Disney Imagineering Show Control Hardware Intern (California). Learn More.

🍁 [Fall Internship] The Walt Disney Company Global Portfolio Management Intern (California). Learn More.

Summer 2026 Intern recruitment is underway for Goldman Sachs! Discover opportunities in Asset Management, FICC and Equities (Sales and Trading), Firmwide Strategy and Investor Relations, Global Investment Research, Investment Banking, and Wealth Management. Apply Now.

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Homework

Whether your child is taking summer classes or taking a break from school, I would encourage them to find a part-time job that relates to their career path, find an internship or volunteer with a nonprofit so they can start gaining meaningful work experience this summer.

For remote, flexible volunteer work opportunities with nonprofits around the world, have your student check out CatchAFire.org.

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Office Hours

My son recently graduated with a B.S./M.S. combined degree and is having a hard time finding a job. He didn't get the opportunity for any internships while he was in school. What would you suggest he do to stand out in this job market? -Gator Mom

A lack of work experience makes it harder for recent graduates to break into entry-level roles, even with a master's degree.

For his job search, I recommend he looks for companies that offer post-graduate internships. Some companies will take on paid interns up to 2 years after graduation.

These internship programs are usually very structured and for a set time frame. It can be an excellent opportunity to get hands-on experience, build relationships and receive a mentor.

This will make it easier to land an entry-level role after the internship concludes.

I would also make sure he has a solid résumé together and that any of his extracurriculars or leadership experiences are well documented.

Finally, I would recommend he has a solid networking strategy in place. I recently taught a workshop on how to get noticed by your dream job using LinkedIn, and I'm also teaching a workshop on how to network in person next week.

❓ Got a question for me? Hit reply and ask! I'll answer it in an upcoming issue.

Tell Us

We'll share the results in the next issue!

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Extra Credit

Now's the time for your child to build up their LinkedIn profile. Make sure they are networking with their peers, professors and business leaders they meet during their time at UF. Check out my Leverage LinkedIn Like a Legend workshop if your student needs extra support with using LinkedIn.

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Quick Links for Your Student

​UF Career Connections Center | UF On-Campus Jobs for Students | Gator Network​

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Go Gators!

Michele Dye, M.A.
​Founder of Dyenamic Careers

This newsletter is not affiliated with the University of Florida. Next Chapter Navigator Newsletter is a paid subscription service produced by Dyenamic Media LLC DBA Dyenamic Careers. To cancel your subscription, please reply to this email "I need to cancel" at least 2 business days before your next bill date.