(100, Give or Take) Days of Summer

Unless you're absolutely starved for cash, the monetary incentive of a summer job is one of the worst reasons to pick one up. Experience, even unpaid, in a field relevant to your major or interests will almost always prove more gainful than three months worth of folding shirts or kneading dough, as tempting as the wages may be. You could spend the summer volunteering, seeing the world, or even getting a few electives out of the way -- the possibilities are endless, and though not all of them will turn out a fat paycheck now, they'll lead you to a much, much fatter one in the future. A few new outfits or a faster laptop would be nice, but the skills, knowledge, and connections you can acquire by avoiding the allure of a mindless McJob are priceless. Summers are a precious commodity -- the average American only gets to see about seventy-five of them. Make the next few count.

Labels: internships, summer classes, summer job, volunteering

Posted by Brian on 8/09/2009 10:51:00 PM
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Benefits of Having a Summer Job

If you are one of the lucky college students or recent grads who landed a summer job this year, you might be wondering whether it was the best thing to do with your spare time during these lazy, hazy days… After all, we’re midway through the summer season and what do you have to show for it? Just a little bit of extra cash?

But, earning extra cash isn’t the only benefit of landing a summer job. Consider some of the advantages of taking a temporary, seasonal position:

• Think of it as a path to full-time work. Just under a quarter of all businesses hire people to fill temporary, summer-time positions. And, over half of those employers consider hiring their summer help for full-time positions after the season is over. Working a summer job is a great way to get your foot in the door if you’re looking for continued employment later on.
• Use this experience to explore a career path. Taking a summer job in a variety of industries can help you carve out a career path, especially if you’re undecided about what you want to do for a living. Summer jobs are also an excellent way to experience different positions, work cultures and companies that interest you.
• Consider it a building block for your résumé. Employers prefer see lots of work experience on résumés. By demonstrating to hiring managers that you are experienced, flexible, and able to hold down a job, you will be better positioned as you move through the interview process.

Remember, a summer job can benefit more than just your bank account. Your future career can benefit as well. So, if you were lucky enough to find employment this summer, count your blessings each time you cash your check. Good luck!

Labels: internships, job search tool, summer job, temping

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 8/06/2009 01:45:00 PM
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Free time is wasted time.

As I said before, mediocrity is not a desirable trait in today's workforce. If you graduated college and are having a difficult time finding the job you want, not working is NOT an option. Expand your horizons and think outside the box when it comes to finding your next job. You should be looking for ANY job that can help you gain experience in your desired field. 

Labels: entry-level, interning, internship, internships, part-time, temping

Posted by Jen on 5/08/2009 08:12:00 AM
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Intern, Get Me a Coffee, STAT!

Just this morning I spoke with one of my professors about how imperative it is that I find an internship before I graduate in December. While I understand that not every college student feels the same way, it is well-known in the mass communications department that our field is dwindling, thus any internship experience is vital to our post-collegiate lives.

Lucky for me and my mass comm colleagues, our school offers a course within our specific tracks [mine being magazine journalism, for example] that provides course credit while interning with a company in the field. The internship is unpaid, of course, but the semester spent on-the-job has opened up numerous doors for the graduates before me. Because of that, I have no qualms about finding an internship in the coming year.

The post-internship life, on the other hand, terrifies me. What if it doesn't turn into a job offer? Life will go on, of this I can assure you. The main thing to keep in mind is that not every "job" will become a "career." Trial and error is a fact of life, and if nothing else, you can walk away with more experience on what you like [or don't] about the field you've worked in. Keep on trekking, eventually the day will come when your dream career will become a reality!

Labels: college experience, internships, jobs after college

Posted by Amanda on 1/15/2009 01:09:00 PM
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The Good, the Bad, and the Unpaid

Having worked on a freelance basis since before graduating high school, I've never had the experience of working a traditional internship or temp position. Some say I'm fortunate, others say I'm missing out. My take on the situation leans toward the latter opinion, but I'd like to hear the thoughts of those of you who've been in the fray. What's the good, the bad, and the ugly of interning and temping? Am I missing out on a valuable life experience, or have I been spared a huge headache? Let's hear it. 

Labels: freelancing, internships, temping

Posted by Brian on 1/09/2009 08:57:00 PM
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Internships - A window into your future

Although I have never had a formal internship, I have had a few jobs in retail in high school and college and I know that is not what I want to do with the rest of my life! Folding towels, giving out samples and hanging clothes is not something that I want to do forever. Although I learned customer service and responsability by having a job, I want to contribute and accomplish more in life than being a cashier. So knowing that retail is not the kind of job I want to do everyday as an adult, I pretty much ruled out hospitaliliy, business and other such majors in college. Once I decided that Political Science was for me, I was ready to gain any real world experience so that I could have a resume to impress law schools and future employers. Each of my experiences with the legal system (Student Government, Mock Trial, and shadowing law enforcement officers) has solidified my motivation to go to law school or work in international relations. Even though I am fairly certain of how my life will be the next few years, an internship would definitly help me stand out in a group of applicants. In today's industry, an internship could be that one little factor that would enable me to land a job quicker and for a better salary. I think that having insight into my field has not only benefitted me in the sense that it gave me more knowledge of my dreams, it also was an invaluable addition to my resume.
So my advice to anyone in college is that you can't go wrong having an internship, if you can land one.

Labels: dream job, internships

Posted by Suzanne on 10/03/2008 01:56:00 PM
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Black & White Writing Not For Me

I have wanted to work in the media field for a long time now, but it wasn’t until I spent a day on the job that I realized which type of journalism appealed to me. During my senior year of high school, I was afforded the opportunity to work side-by-side with reporters at a major Florida newspaper. Though my mini [and I do mean MINI] internship lasted a mere eight hours, the day was more than enough for me to see that news journalism was not my cup of tea.

The experience was invaluable because it taught me quite quickly that I wanted to focus my studies at the collegiate level on magazine journalism. I found that my love for adjectives and thorough description are not welcome in the black-and-white world of newspaper. Instead, creative writing is best left to the columnists at glossy magazines.

I’m very excited for the coming semester, because the mass communications program at the University of South Florida offers students the experience to intern for class credit. Those months will hopefully cement my future within the journalism field and I am definitely looking forward to making connections and learning the basics of real-world journalism. I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes as long as you promise to look for my byline in the latest issue of Cosmopolitan in a couple of years!

Labels: dream job, internships

Posted by Amanda on 10/03/2008 12:26:00 PM
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My (Brief) Life on the Beat

During my junior year of high school, I had this insane notion that I was going to eschew a post-secondary education altogether and jump into the world of private investigation. A family friend had opened his own firm, and I, eager to break into the business, researched the art of snooping quite thoroughly. As an all-around gadget geek, I had the tools and knowledge of a seasoned pro, or so I thought.

Labels: dream job, internships

Posted by Brian on 9/29/2008 10:49:00 PM
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College Internships: Test Drive Your Dream Job!

The internet has dramatically transformed the way businesses find and hire new talent. You are no longer vying for the same job as the person next door, now you’re in fierce competition with job seekers around the world. And, if you want to get noticed, you need to stand out!

While your education will crack the door to new career opportunities, employers want to know what’s behind the good grades before they invite you in. Your studies will give you the foundational knowledge you need to pursue your career goals, but only experience can give you with the practical knowledge and skills you need to succeed in the workplace. That’s the inestimable value that an internship can provide. The real-world insight, hands-on experience and contacts you’ll make will move you one step closer to the job of your dreams.

Experience, Experience, Experience!
If you’re looking for a competitive angle in the job market, an internship can provide the tangible experience you need to gain the attention of sought-after employers. It’s the proverbial “X” factor that will set you a part and prove you have more to offer than mere book smarts. Even if an internship is not in your field, the business exposure it provides is invaluable.

Once you have an internship, seize the opportunities. Ask lots of questions and learn as much as you possibly can about everything. View it as an extension of the classroom—it’s meant to be a learning experience, so treat is as such. The more you learn, the better you’ll do when the real-life tests come. There is so much to glean, from the work experience and social interactions to the workplace dynamics that no textbook could ever teach you. It can help you identify your talents and strengths, while affording you the opportunity to work on your weaknesses. An internship will also give you insight into the do’s and don’ts of the business world, while teaching you the communication skills necessary to move from college student to workplace professional.

Is this really what I want to do?
Let’s face it, college cannot possibly prepare you for the challenges you’ll face in the workplace. There’s only one way to be sure the major you’ve chosen will take you down the career path that’s right for you—and that’s through an internship. Like test driving a new car, an internship will bring you face-to-face with the real deal. And, after you take it around the block a few times, you’ll be well-equipped to decide if it’s a career that will take you where you want to go. It could just be the career confirmation you’ve been looking for all along.

It’s not just what you know, but who you know…
While what you know is important, who you know can open doors that knowledge alone can’t. An internship will put those people right in your path. What’s more, if you do a good job with the tasks you’re given—whether it’s answering the phone, stuffing envelopes or filing documents—you could earn yourself a good recommendation letter that will speak volumes to your next employer. For a college student, that’s like earning an A+ on a term paper, only this grade will take you much farther in life!

So, while you’re earning the reputation of an A+ employee, licking those envelopes as fast as you can, make sure you’re networking! Here are some tips to help you on your way: Ask people questions about their work. What does it entail? How did they get there? Do they have any advice they could offer you? People love to talk about themselves. Suggest going to lunch one day to delve deeper into what they do. Use your internship wisely. Network all you can, make contacts and do you’re best to foster those relationships even after you leave. LinkedIn and other social networks are designed to help you grow and maintain your list of professional contacts. You never know where they may end up, or how they could help you in the future.

A hard-working intern today, a full-time employee tomorrow
Often, internships will lead to real job opportunities. Many companies use internships as a recruiting tool to help them find their next great employee. Don’t underestimate the power of an internship. Work hard, earn their respect and be willing to take on greater responsibilities. Go above and beyond what you are asked with every task, no matter how menial. When asked to contribute, present your ideas and take the initiative to implement them. Show your supervisor what a well-organized, self-motivated team player you are. Who knows, they could be test driving your skills to see if you have what it takes to succeed in their organization!

Labels: dream job, internships

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 9/26/2008 01:44:00 PM
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Blending Theory With Reality

I had my internship review today, and it went really well! It is nice to know that real practitioners think I am on the path to success

. It's always great to hear that from friends or professors, but when actual people in the industry have faith, it's an awesome feeling.
I am also excited because I am going to start doing analysis of survey results and present them, AND I am researching the value of internet video and other new media for my internship (which is conveniently going to be the focus of my independent study next semester.)

I get to write up the proposal to launch video and other forms of new media on our internet media center, and my research will be the start of the white paper. How awesome!

Labels: academia, grad school, internships, jobs, new media, public relations, the future, university

Posted by Christina on 12/10/2007 11:19:00 PM
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