The Career Compass, January 2026

New year, new opportunities — and yes, summer internships recruit early. January is one of the best times to jump ahead of the crowd. If you’re hoping to land a meaningful summer experience, here’s your quick-start guide to getting prepared, staying organized, and applying with confidence.

🚀 Start with the basics: Update your materials

Before you begin applying, make sure your application materials are ready to go.

Refresh your résumé

Add any fall classes, projects, part-time jobs, internships, or volunteer experiences you completed. Even small updates show growth and help employers understand your recent work.

Polish your Handshake profile

NAU employers actively search for students on Handshake. A complete, updated profile increases your chances of being found—and contacted—by recruiters.

Clean up LinkedIn

Your LinkedIn doesn’t need to be perfect. Aim for professional, current, and active. Updating your headline, skills, and recent coursework goes a long way.

Need support? Use our résumé drop box for an asynchronous review, or book a 1:1 résumé or LinkedIn appointment with Career Development. We’re here to help your materials shine.

🔍 Use Handshake like a pro

Handshake is one of the most effective tools for finding internships that match your goals.

Try these strategies:

• Filter by location, industry, and internship type.
• Set job alerts so new opportunities land directly in your inbox.
• Browse career fairs and employer events—many companies recruit NAU students every spring.
• Favorite listings to track deadlines, compare roles, and follow up easily.

Using Handshake intentionally saves time and helps you stay organized throughout your search.

🗓️ Meet with a career professional

Sometimes you need more than a search engine—you need guidance from a real human.

During a 1:1 appointment, a career advisor can help you:

• Identify internships that fit your major or long-term goals
• Tailor your résumé and cover letter
• Practice common interview questions
• Build a personalized search strategy

Meeting with a career professional early can help you navigate the process with less stress and more clarity.

👥 Try an informational interview

An informational interview is a low-pressure conversation with someone working in a job or industry you want to learn more about. Think of it as career reconnaissance—research that actually talks back.

Why informational interviews matter:

• They give you industry insight you can’t get from a job posting.
• They help you build professional connections.
• They reveal what employers are looking for in applicants.
• They may lead to opportunities like job shadowing, micro-internships, or early referrals.

How to find people

Search LinkedIn, NAU alumni groups, Handshake employer pages, or start with professors, family, and friends. Reach out with a short, professional email introducing yourself and asking to meet briefly to learn more about their career path. (If you want help writing that email, we’ve got you!)

📅 Apply early, apply smart

Most summer internship deadlines happen between January and March. To stay on track, set a weekly goal: apply to three to five internships you’re truly interested in. Quality matters more than quantity.

Early applications also tend to be reviewed sooner, which boosts your chances of hearing back and securing interviews.

If you want help finding internships, preparing materials, or building your search plan, Career Development is here for you. Book an appointment anytime—and let’s make your summer count.

Critical thinking isn’t just about analyzing essays or debating ideas in class — it’s about solving problems, making informed decisions and thinking on your feet. Employers consistently rank it as one of the top skills they seek in new hires, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

Whether you’re working at a front desk, assisting in a lab or managing social media for your department, every experience gives you a chance to strengthen it.

In the classroom: Learning to question and analyze

Every time you interpret data, compare theories or challenge assumptions in class discussions, you’re building your critical thinking skills.

• You learn how to break down complex problems.
• You practice evaluating evidence and forming your own conclusions.
• You get more comfortable with ambiguity — because not every question has one right answer.

Professors design assignments and discussions to help you think beyond the textbook, mirroring the kind of analysis you’ll use in real-world jobs.

On the job: Applying what you know

Student employment allows you to put classroom skills into action. Think about how often you are asked to:

• Troubleshoot when something doesn’t go as planned.
• Make quick decisions while balancing customer service and efficiency.
• Adapt to new procedures or unexpected challenges.

Each of these moments is a real-world test of your ability to think critically — just like professionals do in the workplace.

Bridging the two worlds

The real growth happens when you connect what you learn with what you do. Ask yourself:

• “What classroom skills helped me solve that problem at work?”
• “What on-the-job experiences helped me understand my coursework better?”

Reflecting on these connections deepens your learning and prepares you to talk confidently about your critical thinking skills in future interviews.

Quick tip: Practice reflection

Before the end of each week, take two minutes to jot down one challenge you faced and how you solved it. Over time, you’ll create a bank of examples that show your critical thinking in action — perfect for résumés and interviews.

Final thought

Critical thinking is like a muscle — the more you use it, the stronger it becomes. Your classes teach you how to think; your campus job shows you how to apply that thinking. Together, they prepare you for whatever comes next.

NAU students have multiple opportunities this spring to connect with employers, explore graduate programs, and prepare for life after graduation. From all-majors fairs to industry-specific events, these fairs offer direct access to recruiters and organization representatives.

Additional recruiting opportunities

NAU also hosts Career Corner employer visits on select days throughout the semester — a chance to network in a smaller, informal setting inside the University Union.

Learn more and get support

For event dates, details, and registration, visit Career Events.
If you’d like help preparing, contact NAU Career Development or your college’s career office.