By Kara Scozzari
The challenging job market has made it virtually impossible to find a full-time job after graduation without any experience. Internships are the perfect way to gain real-world exposure and build a network of contacts before graduation. Having relevant work experience on your resume can give you an edge and set you apart from the competition.
An internship is a temporary position that is usually done by college students seeking to gain experience in their field. Internships may be paid, unpaid, or done for school credit. Unpaid internships have been on the rise in the past few years, as this provides employers with cheap means of labor. Most unpaid interns are compensated with class credit instead of monetary reimbursements. This can be beneficial for students who are behind in their courses and can complete internships over the summer in order to catch up. Also, many seniors who have already completed their major courses will do internships in their last semester so they can be a full-time student and also gain experience at the same time.
There are many benefits of doing an internship including the opportunity for the intern to determine if they have an interest in that particular field. Doing an internship with a company can give a network of contacts and they may offer the intern a full-time job. Employers generally see interns as prospective employees and may offer their interns a full-time job after the internship is completed. If the intern is a sophomore or junior in college, it is not uncommon for the company to keep the intern on every year or every summer until they graduate. It makes more sense for a company to hire interns than to interview new applicants, as they already know that their interns are capable and knowledgeable about the company. If they are not currently hiring, the employers may also help interns find a job with other connections they have outside of their company. Another way that internships can greatly benefit students is by giving them the extra confidence they need. The more schoolwork a student has completed, the more knowledge they have to use in their future careers. The same goes for an internship. The more work experience a student has had, the more confident they will feel in their field and will be able to continue meeting future challenges in their career.
Doing an internship is a great way to figure out what kind of career you may want. You may realize after doing an internship that you don’t want a particular kind of job, or perhaps that it’s perfect for you. It’s a great way to test out a career without a full-time commitment.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Information about Studying Abroad
By Kara Scozzari
One of the most unique opportunities attending a university can provide, is the option to study in a foreign country. For many students the process of deciding where to study, filling out applications, and the overwhelming thought of packing up and leaving the US can be stressful. Here is a quick guide to the basics of studying abroad, including the types of programs that are offered, how to begin the process, how to afford it, and some reasons why you should go for it!
Colleges offer many different types of study abroad programs. Managed programs are exactly as they sound; the home institute manages them. They have originated, or are currently administered, by the university’s faculty or staff. This could mean the home university owns overseas facilities, or it may send faculty abroad with the students. Approved programs are those that have no direct ties to the home university, but have been approved for students to study there. Exchange programs are those in which a US student switches places with a student at another school. In many cases, the students will pay their same college tuition during the exchange.
Students can choose to study abroad for a semester, a summer session, a winter session, or a full year. The best way to begin getting organized is to make a checklist and follow it, for example:
• Attend a general information session or visit the study abroad office on your campus
• Make a list of the criteria you are looking for in your abroad university
• Research programs in the country of your choice that meet your criteria
• Apply!
Many students and their families question if they will have enough money to afford this type of program. There are options on how to handle this problem, including scholarships, loans, or simply saving very early on. There is also the option of choosing a program where you continue to pay your home institute’s tuition, while receiving your normal scholarships and/or financial aid.
There are many amazing reasons why studying abroad can benefit a student. Here are our top 7:
1. Internship or volunteer opportunities available
2. Personal growth
3. Learn a new language
4. A new outlook on world affairs
5. Looks great on a resume!
6. Make new friendships
7. Have new cross-cultural experiences
One of the most unique opportunities attending a university can provide, is the option to study in a foreign country. For many students the process of deciding where to study, filling out applications, and the overwhelming thought of packing up and leaving the US can be stressful. Here is a quick guide to the basics of studying abroad, including the types of programs that are offered, how to begin the process, how to afford it, and some reasons why you should go for it!
Colleges offer many different types of study abroad programs. Managed programs are exactly as they sound; the home institute manages them. They have originated, or are currently administered, by the university’s faculty or staff. This could mean the home university owns overseas facilities, or it may send faculty abroad with the students. Approved programs are those that have no direct ties to the home university, but have been approved for students to study there. Exchange programs are those in which a US student switches places with a student at another school. In many cases, the students will pay their same college tuition during the exchange.
Students can choose to study abroad for a semester, a summer session, a winter session, or a full year. The best way to begin getting organized is to make a checklist and follow it, for example:
• Attend a general information session or visit the study abroad office on your campus
• Make a list of the criteria you are looking for in your abroad university
• Research programs in the country of your choice that meet your criteria
• Apply!
Many students and their families question if they will have enough money to afford this type of program. There are options on how to handle this problem, including scholarships, loans, or simply saving very early on. There is also the option of choosing a program where you continue to pay your home institute’s tuition, while receiving your normal scholarships and/or financial aid.
There are many amazing reasons why studying abroad can benefit a student. Here are our top 7:
1. Internship or volunteer opportunities available
2. Personal growth
3. Learn a new language
4. A new outlook on world affairs
5. Looks great on a resume!
6. Make new friendships
7. Have new cross-cultural experiences
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