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Internships provide more than just a paycheck

Samantha Friedman, friedms3@muohio.edu

Summer is consumed with sunny days, ice cream, family, barbeques, earning some extra cash and hopefully a little relaxation. Many college students across the country also spend their 12 weeks of freedom interning, with most of that time unpaid. Yes, unpaid. The concept seems silly. Working 40 hours a week and no money? But internships can turn into the best experience of your college career. Seventy percent of Miami students participate in some sort of internship, field experience, co-op or clinical assignment by the time they graduate, according to Career Services.

Those who get the chance to work for a company that pays interns are the lucky ones. This summer, I worked for a small public relations firm in New York City. I got the internship through a program called Dream Careers. They helped set me up with interviews at the companies of my choice, provided housing at New York University, trips and other events to create an all-inclusive experience. Of course it didn't come cheap, but it was by far one of the best summers of my life.

I worked 9 a.m. to 6p.m. Monday through Friday. I had weekends to explore the fabulous, bustling city where I've always wanted to live after graduation. The most important thing I left the city with was a "glowing recommendation" from the owner of Dark PR where I worked. It's important if you work at a small company that probably won't be able to hire you that you leave with a recommendation that can help you land a job in the future. Many of the students in the Dream Careers program who worked at large companies like UBS got job offers, so going for larger companies usually provides more opportunities.

I was the first intern of the summer, so I worked alone with the account executive for my first month. When the other two interns started, I trained them and made sure to keep my presence known. The key to success in a summer internship is to not be afraid to stand out. Take a risk, go to your boss and ask for more work. You never want to leave your internship in August and say to yourself, "Wow, I should have done that," or, "Why didn't I take on that project?" You want to leave with a feeling of accomplishment.

If you are one of those students who hated their internship all summer, don't lose hope. It was still worthwhile; at least you know it's not the job for you, and you won't spend a year or more stuck in it after graduation. As long as you get a recommendation, it will help get you where you eventually want to go. The person you worked for is a great resource and can even act as a mentor to guide you and give advice. I've been in touch with my boss since I left New York City, and I plan to stay in touch so that I can use her as a resource in the future.

If you have been thinking about looking or applying for an internship, there are many routes you can take. First, you might want to talk with a professor or adviser about places close to school if you want to work during the school year. If you want to intern in the summer, you can ask about options by your hometown or other cities of interest. It's also a great idea to search online for internship placement programs; they provide inclusive opportunities in many cities so you don't feel restricted to stay at home. I found Dream Careers through a listserv e-mail, so check those frequently and ask friends who have done internships. Networking is the first step.

There are so many opportunities for students of all majors; you just have to put yourself out there. I had one of the best summers of my life, made many memories and I am confident about my career choice and my future.


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