As I sifted through the Sunday edition of The Tennessean, I couldn’t help but notice the lack of jobs in the classified section. When I moved to Tennessee six years ago, I was amazed that the nursing section alone was between three to four pages. Now, the entire job section is three to four pages, at best.

Some of this could attribute to the declining number of available jobs due to the down economy, but I believe part of the problem lies with the rising cost of newspaper ads, dwindling newspaper circulation and the online presence of job boards.

Job boards, such as Monster and CareerBuilder.com, have become increasingly popular, and occasionally Craig’s List even offers legitimate job postings. Of course, these aren’t the only places to look for jobs.

What does this have to do with the price of tea in China?

Well, I’m not sure, but I do know that I’ll be graduating in less than nine months, and I’ll need to find a job – preferably one that I’ve been preparing myself for these past few years.

We already know that the job market isn’t the best right now, so in addition to countless hours of studying, it’s imperative that we, as students, really prepare ourselves for that coveted entry-level position. Despite a bleak job market, you can improve your chances of fi nding a job after graduation.

One of the hardest things about finding a job after graduation is a lack of experience. You need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience.

The solution to this conundrum is finding an internship. In fact, many majors require an internship or practicum in order to graduate, and in reality, you’re going to need the experience just to stand out against other graduates in your field.

These days, it’s not just a matter of earning a degree to secure a job. You have to prove that you’re willing to go above and beyond so that potential employers will want to hire you. You want your resume to stand out, and an internship, or two, will add substance to your repertoire.

Fortunately, as a student, you have access to some of the most valuable resources that will not only help you find an internship, but many will also help you prepare your resume and fine tune your interviewing skills.

In addition to the Career Development Center, located inside of the Keathley University Center, MTSU offers online access to help through the Lightning Job Source. Here, you can find valuable career advice, learn how to create and post your resume online, and search for internships and jobs.

I also recommend attending the many on-campus career fairs that take place each semester because you never know when an opportunity will present itself. For these, you’ll want to be prepared.

Have many resumes on hand and don’t forget to dress professionally. Trust me; it’s not a good idea to show up in sweatpants or jeans. Prospective employers take time out of their busy day to staff the booths at career fairs, and they expect students to be serious about their internship search. This is your chance to show them you’re serious – first impressions really do matter.

Another way to gain experience and add to your resume or portfolio is to become involved with an organization on campus. Whether it’s an honor society, a professionally affiliated organization, or a fraternity or sorority, you can add to your skill set by volunteering for and participating in various activities.

You can also use online social media to your advantage. Find a mentor, network with professionals in your fi eld, and create a public profile on LinkedIn.com. As the age-old saying goes, ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.’

Not only did I find my fall semester internship using online social media, I found it with the help of a friend who referred me to her friend who referred me to the person to whom I needed to submit my resume. I do believe it’s a small world after all.

Thanks to this internship, I’ll gain relevant experience to add to my resume and portfolio, increase my skill set and meet a new network of people in my industry. Oh sure, I might have to work for free this semester, but in the grand scheme of things, the experience will be priceless.