By DARIN ALLISON
Darin@newsroom.byu.edu
I remember looking over the descriptions of various internships that might help me grasp a better idea of the things I would most likely be doing for the rest of my life. The rest of my life! That's the scary part.
The decision wasn't really mine. After sending multiple resumes and letters of application to several locations, I could only hope that my previous experience and character as far as could be put on paper, would impress someone to the point of acceptance.
I've heard how hard it can be to get an internship. I couldn't help but think that if I was offered a position, was I already consigning some unwritten rule that says this is what I must do as a career, no questions asked?
Now, after being involved in an internship for almost a month, I realize the situation offers more freedom than I thought.
'It helps you build a foundation with established individuals in the field,' said Nicole Russell, who works in the Career Placement Office in the Wilkinson Student Center.
According to Russell, many students get internships with companies associated with their field of study and later get offered a substantial starting position.
'It's like a two way street, you work for cheap, but at the same time you build relationships that can later further your career,' Russell said.
For some, the opportunity of working where one interns often presents itself. Yet, factors such as location, pay and other benefits will come into question. For others, the experience alone is all that you get. Sometimes this is all that is desired.
'Internships make yourself marketable,' said Shem Rode, 25, a senior from Seattle, majoring in anthropology.
Rode did an internship in Seattle, working with Enterprise, a car rental company. The decision to take the internship followed an idea to operate his own store. Although the experience provided insight and knowledge concerning the operations of a respectable business, it wasn't what he wanted to pursue.
'It taught me what I needed to learn -- that I don't like certain areas of business, and I couldn't follow a career in that field ... it wasn't me,' Rode said.
Rode decided that staying in the world of business and finance wasn't what he was looking for after all. The personalities and characters of those he worked with and met didn't represent something he wanted to be or become.
But he didn't look at the experience as a complete waste of time.
'An internship beats out a good paying job for the summer,' Rode said. 'It stands out and weighs more than a typical summer job.'
Rode said he's now interested in getting into the medical field -- a field that likes to see multi-faceted individuals.
How do you go from business to medicine? For Rode, it involves relying on your own inner feelings as opposed to the world's opinions.
'You step out of the fantasy world and give yourself legitimate proof that you're going into a field you love,' Rode said.
According to Rode, internships and the experiences you take with you, whether you remain in the major or not, help guide you and ultimately help you identify what you are really passionate about.
So once you have that career in mind, and want to pursue it like there's no tomorrow, what is the best course to follow in relation to internships?
Internships are often required in many majors. Sometimes employers look for experience more so than education or one's GPA.
'GPA is not as important as the proper experience,' said Karen Hart, human resource coordinator at Fox 13 news.
Hart explained that depending on what position you desire, experience can sometimes outweigh education.
However, this often deals with the lower end positions as opposed to those that pay more and require that certificate of graduation.
Showing multiple experiences and versatility can definitely raise some eyebrows.
Then there is the opportunity to build contacts and begin networking through internships.
If your intent is to remain in the field you intern for, networking can provide opportunities later on.
'People always feel more comfortable with somebody they know,' said Jonas Schwartz, a reporter for Fox 13 news.
Jonas interned with WSYR, a station in New York. They later offered him a full-time job which Jonas rejected because he wanted to seek other options elsewhere.
With a little creativity and ingenuity, it is possible to land a job on your own without depending on contacts or networking.
However, references and relationships with key individuals can give you an advantage over those competing for the same position.
Many believe in a philosophy that embraces location and name over anything else.
What this means is that some can do an internship in one location and with one company; if that company name is a well respected, your chances of being hired elsewhere increase that much more.
For instance, having an internship with Merrill Lynch as opposed to some local financial advising firm, will more than likely increase your marketability. However, there can be a flip side to the idea.
For communications majors, many feel that interns in larger markets are the way to go. According to Hart, that isn't necessarily the case.
'Someone in Montana is getting a lot of practical experience as opposed to someone in New York,' Hart said.
It all depends on what field of study you are pursuing. Ask questions and find out which internship would benefit you more in light of your actual involvement.