Recently graduated Captain, Ayrton Bernuy Linsbauer, MSF’26, shares advice to returning first year students about kicking off their second semester with a strong commitment to career strategy.

You’ve just finished your first semester at Brandeis. You’re probably stressed out with the first week of the new semester coming up, as well as with your job search. No worries, I’ve got you! 

I was in your shoes one year ago, and here are four things that helped me secure an internship for the summer.

 Join associations or Professional Clubs in Boston and participate 

It’s a lot easier to get opportunities when you belong to a professional community. When I started my master’s as an international student, I had no connections in Boston. I joined the Brandeis community and various clubs, which helped me meet professionals who visited the school. But I missed a huge opportunity by not attending any of the events happening around Boston.

This taught me a key lesson: professional networking doesn’t stop at the campus gate. Participating in city-wide events gives you the chance to meet more people in your industry, which can directly lead to a job offer. I wish I had known to check if my campus club was part of a larger, city-based organization. For instance, besides the Brandeis ALPFA Club, there is ALPFA Boston, which hosts events across the state. Even with a busy schedule, making time to engage with this wider community will be a rewarding investment in your future role. 

Build relationships rather than only connecting on LinkedIn 

It’s easy to send connection requests on LinkedIn. The hard part is turning those digital connections into real relationships. During my first semester, I focused on adding as many people as possible. What I should have focused on was making a memorable impression.

Every interaction is an opportunity to be remembered. Whether you’re talking to a recruiter at a career fair or a speaker at a panel, make sure they walk away remembering something about you—a smart question you asked, a shared interest, or a specific point from your elevator pitch. 

The goal isn’t just to add a new name to your list of contacts on LinkedIn; it’s to build a genuine connection that can lead to a coffee chat, a mentorship, or a referral down the line. Ask yourself: “Who is more likely to recommend me for a job? Someone who barely knows me, or someone who feels like a friend?” Focus on the latter, and your network will become a powerful support system, not just a list of names.

Have your elevator pitch ready to go for career fairs

I remember my Career Coach telling us in our “Launching Global Career Class” how important an elevator pitch was. I nodded, took notes, and then completely underestimated its importance.

A career fair is a high-stakes environment where you only have a few minutes to make a first impression. A well-rehearsed career fair elevator pitch is the single most important tool you have. It’s not just about what you say, but how you say it: with confidence, clarity, and authenticity. 

I wish I had practiced mine more during my first year. It would have saved me from fumbling over my words and would have allowed me to make a stronger connection with recruiters. My advice is to practice, practice, practice. Get comfortable with your pitch in front of a mirror, with a friend, and with your Career Coach.

Continue looking for internships, but smartly

If you’re like me, you might have spent too much time applying to every job you saw, thinking volume was the answer. The key to a successful search isn’t applying for every job you see; it’s about applying smartly. 

That means doing the work upfront: tailoring your resume to each role, building genuine connections with professionals, and having a clear story that shows how you fit into a company’s mission. This focused approach creates a high-quality application that stands out from the crowd and significantly increases your chances of getting hired. 

Good luck and happy start to your second semester!