Show Internships A Good First Step Competitive job markets have students looking for any in they can find with potential employers Internships are just that in a chance to impress a potential employer while still finishing a college degree Internships Internship are an opportunity to apply classroom learning to the real world to allow allow students to see if their chosen career is really a all 1 they envisioned it to be said Susanne Garvey Director of Programs for the Washington Center for Learning Alte Alternatives natives The Washington Center credit internships for college students in the nations nation's capitol Internships should be substantive substantive- challenging and worth academic credit she said A variety of businesses and profit non-profit organizations offer student internships The Gannett Corp International Business Machines Corp the United Way the National Gallery of Art and Confidential Planning Services are a few varied examples Students with a will can find a way to convince companies to develop an internship internship internship intern intern- ship for them where none existed b before fore A student interested in banking re researched the field and arranged an interview with the vice president of the bankhe bank bankhe he had studied The vice pr president was so impressed with his persistence and knowledge that he agreed to give the student an internship Internships give real on hands-on experiences to students In some sonie cases the students find out that they really have made a career error and need to rethink their perso personal al goals and aspirations Often ho however ever the student is on target and the internship gives his job application that special distinction that separates his application from the many others received for any job opening Interns usually are rewarded solely by the the on training although some also may receive course credit If the school o or university is arranging the internship internship internship intern intern- ship for the student they may require that the student not be offered a permanent position until he finishes his degree course coursework work Only about 5 percent of all interns are paid for their work but many find permanent positions upon graduation Potential interns should begin the search early as most available internships will fill quickly as as' young people seek out these opportunities for experiential education Starting at the mail desk opening letters is commonplace for starting interns who may be anxiously awaiting an expansion of their duties However interns do need to familiarize themselves with the company its structure and its personnel before they can expect broader responsibilities but they do come Some students serving internships become so to their bosses that jobs are created for them when they return following completion of their degrees said Susanne Garvey Th The success of an internship requires a positive attitude de on the part o of J the student Peggy Schmidt author of Making It On Your First Job When Youre You're Young Inexperienced and Ambitious offers some tips on getting the most out of an internship Find out what your responsibilities will wiIl be before you start Get to know the top decision Get involved in professional activities If left with extra time make yourself useful doing small tasks A student internship should also offer a background that will wiIl be useful for the student even if he or she does not enter the business or profession experienc experienced d. d Personal financial planning is an excellent example of a field which greatly enriches the student says Edwin P. P Morrow Chairman of the Board of Confidential Planning Services an international network of financial planning firms Every financial planning intern learns the basis of personal money management management management manage manage- ment as well as taxes investments and computer use In a longer or repeat internship a student may become involved in presenting public seminars on financial planning planning thereby gaining organizational and public speaking experience |