Sarai Thompson – In Motion Special
The last two years of college are often the most stressful, since that is usually when the “real world” starts knocking at the door. Between coursework, exams or co-curricular activities, some students often overlook internships, one of the most imperative decisions of their life.
Some find opportunities without it, but others wish they had not passed it by. The question remains if internships are truly a necessary commodity or if it is simply another old school requisite held onto by our parents?
A college degree, on its own, is most always a reason to celebrate. For many, this coveted piece of paper is traditionally thought to offer the promise of a full-time job almost immediately upon graduation.
According to Census data, however, with 38.4% of citizens achieving their bachelor’s degree or higher, a degree on its own is less impressive to employers. So, it is imperative that students find an edge that will hurtle them above the competition to the top of an employer’s list.
Internships are a proven way to establish yourself in a professional field of choice. They offer additional knowledge, skills and experience, while also building networks in the field, which makes internships one of the most attractive opportunities available. Another feature of internships is that they typically become available to students during the last two years of their college career, enabling them to have a head start in finding a job upon graduation.
Although the junior and senior year of college is normally when employers will consider an internship application, it is becoming more common to find them at the freshman or sophomore levels. Always review the qualification requirements before applying for an internship to avoid wasting individual or employer’s time.
“The struggle with finding an internship, for me, is finding one that pays. I take out loans for my college education, so I’m always looking for new ways to gain extra cash to pay that off. My parents are still paying theirs off, but I don’t want to spend my life paying off mine like they’re doing,” says Debbie Demesmin, a student at Daytona State College.
Paid or unpaid internships can both be beneficial, although DSC students, many of whom work fulltime and have limited means, often cannot afford to give their time away. Still, taking a long view of the benefits of even an unpaid internship can make the difference. Avoid situations where fetching coffee or opening mail is a fundamental part of the internship.
If a student learns new skills, increases networking opportunities and ends up with something substantial to show a potential employer, then an unpaid internship might pay off. Sometimes, no internship is the way to go.
Larson Woodward, a graduate of a welding school, says “For me, an internship was unnecessary. Everyone with a degree from my school can easily find a welding job. I found one within weeks of graduating.”
And don’t forget to check with your own school for internship opportunities and other services. Career Services, located in the new Gale Lemerand Student Center, has a wide variety of programs to assist job seekers, from creating resumes to improving interviewing techniques.
James Pearson, Director of the Southeast Museum of Photography, says, “At the museum we offer unpaid and paid internships. With unpaid, you’re able to choose what you want to do — it’s actually more hands on. If you’re a paid intern, however, you’re often just at the desk doing work on the computer and directing anyone that comes in. Either way, I usually ask what the student is hoping to find a job in once graduating and if any opportunity comes my way, I’ll let them know about it if I feel they’ve done a good job here.”
Although paid internships are more enticing, unpaid is often where the most growth happens, allowing a student to be well prepared once graduating, he emphasized.
Career Services has a wide array of information available online at CareerServices@daytonastate.edu or call 386-506-3073.