Spring Break
The Daily OrangeGraduating seniors turn to internships
By Tom Auchterlonie
Posted: 5/6/09, 6:36 PM EST Section: News
As the national unemployment rate climbs past 8.5 percent nationwide, seniors are finding alternatives to traditional employment. Internships, service work and jobs outside their experience area are all attracting seniors who know landing their dream job right out of school may be difficult.
"There's a lot of emphasis made in the news these days about more students this year gravitating towards those type of opportunities," Mike Cahill, director of the Center for Career Services at Syracuse University said. "Everybody's hearing about the economy and the job market and everything."
Cahill said students majoring in communications, fine arts and performing arts find internships especially beneficial during hard economic times because it keeps their skills fresh.
Career Center employees declined to give numbers of students working in these areas because seniors are not required to report their post-graduation to the centers.
Kelly Brown, assistant director of the Career Development Center at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, said internships are a good way for students to make a name for themselves in their field while continuing to gain experience.
"Most graduates don't think, you know, 'Oh I'm going to graduate and get an internship.' But, the internship after graduation can be a really, really good foot in the door." she said.
Internships can also help people stay active in their industries, giving them an edge over those who do not take jobs in their fields right out of college, Brown said.
"The person who is doing the internship while they're looking for a job is going to have a lot more success, because you're still active in the industry, and you're still building your resume, and you're still getting the skills that you'll need to pursue a career," she said.
Robert Hetzron, a senior television, radio and film major, said he is planning on interning at Little Airplane Productions, the same place he interned two summers ago.
"There's a lot of emphasis made in the news these days about more students this year gravitating towards those type of opportunities," Mike Cahill, director of the Center for Career Services at Syracuse University said. "Everybody's hearing about the economy and the job market and everything."
Cahill said students majoring in communications, fine arts and performing arts find internships especially beneficial during hard economic times because it keeps their skills fresh.
Career Center employees declined to give numbers of students working in these areas because seniors are not required to report their post-graduation to the centers.
Kelly Brown, assistant director of the Career Development Center at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, said internships are a good way for students to make a name for themselves in their field while continuing to gain experience.
"Most graduates don't think, you know, 'Oh I'm going to graduate and get an internship.' But, the internship after graduation can be a really, really good foot in the door." she said.
Internships can also help people stay active in their industries, giving them an edge over those who do not take jobs in their fields right out of college, Brown said.
"The person who is doing the internship while they're looking for a job is going to have a lot more success, because you're still active in the industry, and you're still building your resume, and you're still getting the skills that you'll need to pursue a career," she said.
Robert Hetzron, a senior television, radio and film major, said he is planning on interning at Little Airplane Productions, the same place he interned two summers ago.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
business stationary
posted 5/11/09 @ 12:22 PM EST
It seems as though unemployment continues to climb throughout the country. In my opinion I thought it was only a few states to blame for this disaster, but not it seems that all states have taken a hit. (Continued…)
Jeffrey
posted 5/25/09 @ 4:28 AM EST
How exactly are only a few states to blame? That's quite confusing. I figure that it's the overall economic climate of irresponsibility that seems to exist in all fifty states. (Continued…)
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