The job market after graduation can be competitive and challenging, but sometimes internships can provide stepping stones to the right job.

Lindsey Bungenstock graduated from UD with a B.A. in religious studies and political science in May 2008 and graduated with her M.P.A. this past December. She has had one successful experience after another in the work force.

After getting a summer internship at Homeland Security in Washington, D.C., she landed a job there, as well.

"With jobless rates still high in the U.S., and only marginally better in Canada, one of the hardest hit groups is likely to be young students and recent graduates who have only just begun to look for employment," said Eileen Velthuis from the Self-Counsel Press. "More young people out of work means more competition for students looking for jobs. How can a student get an employer's undivided attention, and more importantly, that seemingly elusive job offer?"

Bungenstock's success did not just happen overnight. Her professional and educational experiences provided her with beneficial skills and knowledge as well as overall self-assurance. As a student, she interned for the City of Dayton and worked as a graduate in the Fitz Center for Leadership in Community. During her time at the Fitz Center, Bungenstock was the student who helped coordinate the Neighborhood School Centers. She was in charge of keeping in contact with each coordinator of the schools.

She also organized the meetings of the oversight council of the Dayton Foundation that oversees that Neighborhood Schools Center. In her role with the Neighborhood Schools Center she also assisted in the planning of the safe routes to school program that will be designing safer walking and biking routes for students at the five Neighborhood School Centers. Her career experiences during her time at UD immensely helped her on her job path.

"Both of these jobs gave me the confidence in my work and in my communication skills that helped me to succeed in my internship," she said.

What set Burgenstock apart from the other applicants was her drive to succeed and her inquisitive nature. She came in to the office early, stayed late and asked questions to learn as much as possible in a short period of time, she explained. After working for the company for one month, she was offered a full-time position as a management and program analyst.

As an intern, Bungenstock's responsibilities consisted of coordinating team meetings, participating in software testing, developing project management documentation, taking meeting minutes and agendas, creating training plans and training users. She has progressed up in the work realm and now tests the human resources computer systems, deploys new releases of the systems and trains new users.

Bungenstock, from Hebron, Ky., headed east toward her future. She now lives in the northwest D.C. area and happily takes the subway to work. She loves her job and has the opportunity to grow and learn.

Finding the right internship can be just what students need to open another door to a great opportunity. Bungenstock found her internship online and look where she ended up.

"Even if you don't think your chances are good, still apply," she said. "Put all skills that you learned in college on your resume. I was selected for my internship because I listed that I knew how to use SPSS [statistical software]. You never know what will stand out to the people reviewing your resume.

By adding a resume to Hire a Flyer, researching the field and networking around, students can better market themselves and pursue their dream jobs just like Bungenstock. Visit careers.udayton.edu for more information.