The Quad

Issue date: 4/30/07 Section: Features

A 2007 MonsterTRAK survey noted that the two most important things employers look for are past experiences and personal character. College graduates with internship experience are more likely to be hired for a job than those with less experience.

An internship can bridge a gap between college and the working world, allowing students to experience the roles, expectations and behaviors of the working world. Students learn about their strengths, interests, problem solving skills and abilities to deal with clients and work under pressure. Networking opportunities are gained that are valuable in shaping future careers. Students also gain credentials for their resumes. Internships provide an opportunity for students to test the compatibility of their chosen major with a specific company, in advance of graduation and full-time employment.

Research indicates that the more semesters a student spends interning, the less time they spend looking for employment. Internships typically predict higher starting salaries. Internships also have the ability to stimulate a student's involvement in the educational learning process.

Research also shows that undergraduates who receive credit for internships are shown to have a stronger preference for active experimentation, while those who do not receive credit prefer a more reflective observation learning style. Web sites such as Monster.com, MonsterTRAK.com and Careerbuilder.com are a solid place for students to start looking for an internship. All of these Web sites allow students to search in specific fields related to their major. Students can sign up for the Web site for free and receive alerts when new internships are posted.

Craigslist.com is another internship search tool for students. This site allows users to search in different countries, states or major cities. Students can search for jobs in categories such as accounting, engineering, science, legal, real estate, retail, marketing, public relations, web editing and much more. Jobs and internships are posted on a daily basis on Craigslist.com and searching can be refined by using keywords.

For students wishing to travel to warm and sunny weather for an internship, the Walt Disney College Program could be the perfect internship experience. Walt Disney World and Walt Disneyland accept hundreds of college students as interns every year. This paid internship allows students to experience the happiest place on Earth while living with other college students and gaining hands-on experience.

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