College students face many challenges during their education, not least of which is the question of whether to take paying jobs or internship work. Students need relevant experience during their college careers to set themselves apart from the competition and prove their worth in any given field. But they also need money to support themselves.
The main issue for most students is trying to fuse these two concepts into one doubly beneficial package: a paid internship. In some majors, such as science, health and education, a paid internship is practically unheard of, and seldom seen, according to Ana Maria Schuhmann and Sandra DeYoung, deans of Education and Science and Health, respectively.
For those in fields such as business and communication, it’s traditionally easier to find internships that pay, but these days students face hardships unheard of in the earlier part of the decade.
The faltering economy has forced most businesses to either stop paying their interns or discontinue their internship programs altogether. In turn, students have been forced into juggling full-time class schedules, part-time internships for relevant experience and part-time paying jobs for survival. In all this, where does a college student find the time to do anything but work?
There is some help, though, for those seeking pay in exchange for relevant experience. In tough times such as these, experts say there is one way to succeed above the rest: think outside the box.
Lorra Brown, professor of public relations at WPU, has a few ideas for those looking for experience that can stack their resumes for life after graduation. Her top advice: stop applying for internships.
In the recession, it’s become the fashion for companies to stop paying their interns. Even those companies that have the resources are taking advantage of a slim job market to cut back where they can, and that leaves college students in the lurch. The solution, according to Brown, is to apply for part time work in a company relevant to your career goals.
“Go directly to the company at which you hope to work,” Brown said. “Find the name of the person who manages the department where you want to work and apply directly to them for part time or freelance work."
Theresa Cruz Paul of the Career Development and Advisement center agrees with Brown's advice.
"Part time jobs can be called internships on a resume as long as they have that mentorship and learning piece to them," said Paul. "If you can find a related part-time job that is a great way to get experience while getting paid."
Companies seeking extra help are usually quick to hire part-time or freelance workers to make up the slack because it comes at a discount. Applying for part-time work as a college student helps ensure that students will gain the relevant experience needed for their résumés, while making money to support themselves.
There is a trade-off, though.
“Students need to make the decision regarding whether credits are more important or the actual experience is more important,” said Brown. “Some companies will not allow students who get credit for their internships to be paid.”
Ultimately, the decision comes down to the individual student. Either way, students will gain valuable experience, better equipping them for life after college. The question is whether its money or credits they’re after.
My Internship Experience
While receiving a paycheck is an important consideration in the current economic climate, I have had an incredibly fulfilling experience at Beckerman Public Relations, where I’ve been interning since May without pay. They have gone to great lengths to train me for a career in public relations, giving me responsibilities which exceed the typical administrative functions of an intern.
Since the beginning I have had an integral role in the work for a number of clients, working on press releases, pitches, media lists and clipping. They even gave me my own small account at the end of the summer, on which I took the lead, with guidance from two account executives.
When I originally applied for the internship it was a paid position, but by the time of my interview they had stopped offering compensation like every other company.
Like many students, my parents used to help me with my expenses, but since the recession they have not been able to as much.
It was hard to accept the fact that a paid internship was impossible to find for the summer. But to me, the experience was more important than any paycheck – I gladly worked extra jobs and babysat to get by over the summer.
Beckerman kindly offered a stipend, something many companies are willing to do. They issued me a check at the end of the summer to reimburse me for travel expenses, as well as reward me based on the quality of my work.
Though the absence of a paycheck was stressful, the internship experience has been amazing. I have not been performing the stereotypical “intern” jobs like getting coffee – I have gotten extensive experience in the public relations field, and am thrilled to find out that I’m good at it.
My internship was extended beyond the summer and into the fall. Now I am no longer receiving credit, and I’m still not paid until the end of the semester, but I am getting practical, real world experience in my future career.
With graduation in May, I’ve been wondering about job prospects. Beckerman has asked me officially to continue interning through the spring, and though there is no contract or absolute promise, it seems highly likely that they will hire me as an Associate Account Executive at the end of the semester.
Though at first I was put off by the fact that every company seemed to be cutting paid internship programs, I could not be more grateful for the experience I’ve had. No matter what, an internship is the way to secure your future in any given career. If you prove yourself while you’re in college, you just may find yourself ahead of the game.
Money is great, but for college students looking to stack their resumes, nothing can beat practical, hands-on training in your chosen field, whether you receive a paycheck or not.
Internship Resources:
· www.newjerseyintern.com or www.newyorkintern.com – great for any field
· WPU Career Development and
· WP Job Connect: wpunj.experience.com
· Department professors
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