COMM 601 - Career Resource Review

The Monarch Internship and Co-op (MICO) Office is a professional outreach organization within Old Dominion University. MICO helps undergraduate and graduate students find opportunities to apply and showcase the skills they’ve acquired in the classroom in a professional setting. MICO offers positions on-campus, but also partners with numerous local organizations to provide a myriad of professional opportunities for students looking to earn course credits, build professional portfolios, or gain valuable experience in various fields. The internship office, founded in 2023, is a great example of the ways that ODU has invested in its students, as well as how it strives to fulfill its promise of preparing ODU students for the world beyond college. MICO is reflective of Old Dominion’s recently-set goal of having every student graduate with internship experience by 2027, including it as a substitute (for a Capstone project) requirement for all undergraduate students.

            Having gone through the internship process once myself, I found that almost every resource available through MICO is beneficial for students looking to build a career post-university. The office provides students with a database of local industries and organizations looking for internships, accessible through Handshake. Though I didn’t take full advantage of it, MICO also provides individual coaching and mentorship opportunities that I think are extremely useful for helping students get their footing in the professional world. I’m not entirely sure if the career fairs at Webb and Chartway run through the internship office, but MICO is always present at these events – and in general -- with a wardrobe full of professional attire for those that may need it. Most importantly, MICO offers cover letter and resumé assistance, which is vital for starting a job search or career – not to mention their ePortfolio advisors.

            Given that I would like to work for the government or as a journalist, I think utilizing Handshake and its various counterparts – such as Indeed, LinkedIn, etc. – will be crucial for my professional trajectory. Moreso, absorbing the absolute fullest of what MICO’s career coaches have to offer will be great for gaining insight into the professional world, including the expectations, habits, and behaviors of a successful professional. Obviously, one of the things any coach would tell me is impressions are key, so the wardrobe (though not technically available to me after college) could help me find some inspiration for professional attire, maybe even “up my swag” to some degree. However, I think as a communication major, I will need the ePortfolio more than I may realize right now. How can I expect to find a career in a communication field if I can’t communicate how qualified I am for the job? I believe my ePortfolio will be necessary throughout my career and will ultimately showcase my abilities.