UpDate - Vol. 13, No. 13, Page 6
December 2, 1993
Internships may provide the edge in job search
Very few people would buy an expensive, new car without a test drive.
So why would some students treat their careers, their future livelihoods in
this way?
An internship has been likened to a road test, as it is a good way to
get a taste or more personal and in-depth look at a profession. It is one
thing to be interested in English, and another to want to be a journalist,
a proofreader or a technical writer. Some students are interested in
science, but will their initial fascination lead to a corporate laboratory,
an educational research institute or a high-school classroom?
Marianne Ehrlich, assistant director of career planning and placement,
stresses the importance of a strong, well-rounded resume in the job-hunting
process.
A resume with depth, she says, is one that includes a good grade point
average, evidence of social skills and also related experience. Without
impressive credentials, a person may not get a chance to make a personal
impression through an interview.
According to Ehrlich, field experience-or internships-should serve
three purposes: as direction finders, sources of contacts or networking,
and, ideally, as the source of a job.
For many University students, internships are an integral part of
their college education. Many agree that working and learning in a
real-world setting provide information that cannot be obtained in the
classroom, or material that reinforces classroom knowledge.
Seven University students shared their experiences and described the
benefits, challenges and realities associated with their internships.
-Jennifer Jones
I've learned a lot about the dynamics between supervisors and staff from my
internship. I obtained the internship independently, so there weren't any
set goals that I had to achieve. I did learn how to delegate
responsibilities, and I learned that I should have researched my internship
a little more. But, the experience did help me to realize my focus. When I
was working at the senior center, the elderly people really needed someone
just to listen, so I can appreciate their situations more now. The center
sponsored a Wellness Fair that attracted many professionals in my area of
interest. I learned how to present myself to them. I also made some
contacts in the area I think I would eventually like to work in."
-Karin Willner, senior, family
and community service major
Internship: Newark Senior Center
I have worked for the P&B Accounting firm in Peekskill, N.Y., for the past
two summers. I also help out around tax season before the spring semester
begins. I knew that I had an interest in accounting since high school, and
I did some filing on the weekends during those four years. When I came to
college and actually started to study accounting, my responsibilities
increased. I am now getting hands-on experience at the firm. My duties
include bookkeeping, computer data entry and assisting in the preparation
of financial statements. The actual work that I do at the firm makes what I
learn in the classroom seem much more practical. It also makes my studies a
little easier, as I have most often been exposed to the material at the
firm. Although I ultimately want to work for a Big Six firm, this is a good
way to get my foot in the door. It has been a great experience."
-Stacy Baimel, junior, accounting major
Internship: Accounting clerk, P&B Accounting
At WSTW/WDEL in Wilmington, I have learned many things, including how a
radio station operates. The classroom offers more of a theoretical type of
learning. I never understood the cohesiveness of a radio station. My
communication classes focus more on history and theory than on radio work
and production. At the station, I am responsible for scheduling, planning
and developing promotional events, such as the Delaware Home Show, the
business exchange, and the WSTW #1 in the '90s party. I also send prize
letters to listeners and write product requests to record companies.
"After seven months, I obtained a part-time, paid position as the
promotion assistant. After graduation, it is reassuring to know that I have
the security of that job. Though promotional work is not my ultimate goal,
it does give me the opportunity to get my foot in the door, gain experience
and make contacts. Hopefully, it will assist me in finding work as a disc
jockey."
-Mark Bradford, senior, communication major
Internship: Promotion assistant,
WSTW/WDEL Radio
I gained a lot of hands-on experience with the most recent technology in
the field of physical therapy. I learned how to use all the machines in the
clinic. Working with the patients at the clinic is something that you never
get to do in the classroom. Most importantly, this internship gave me a
feel for what graduate school will be like. I also accumulated 200 hours of
field work and got the recommendations needed to get accepted to the
physical therapy graduate program here at the University."
-Nicole Rossini, senior, physical therapy major
Internship: Physical Therapy Aide,
Omega Physical Therapy
This internship enabled me to work directly with patients. Coney Island
Hospital is an inner-city hospital, which means many of the patients have
AIDS and are drug abusers. It was definitely a reality shock. As a student
clinical dietitian, I spoke with the patients, looked over their diet
histories and analyzed lab results. Working at Coney Island Hospital gave
me enough experience to have an insight about what the job of a dietitian
is about. After my experience with inner-city patients, I realized I would
eventually like to work at a suburban hospital."
-Karen Kaplan, senior, nutrition major
Internship: Student clinical dietitian,
Coney Island Hospital
I am working in the costume shop, and it is teaching me about the theatre
and what it takes to make a whole production. I do real sewing on the job,
including buttons, seams and materials. Right now, I'm making an apron for
Ring Around the Moon. I will be helping out on a few shows this semester,
including Romeo and Juliet. My teacher is the costume designer, so I am
learning a lot from her. I want to work somewhere in the clothing industry,
and I think this is showing me the practical things that I need to know."
-Janine Durburow, senior, textiles, design
and consumer economics major
Internship: Wardrobe and Costume Shop,
Professional Theatre Training Program
My internship is teaching me how to deal with the unexpected. We planned a
business exchange, and we had to approximate the number of people who would
be coming and figure out what to do with the people who hadn't registered.
I work under the vice president of the department and another manager. I
write material for the journal that the chamber puts out, go through press
releases that businesses send us, and will be putting together a membership
directory. I know from this experience, I don't want to be in news writing,
but I am pleased to have the opportunity to learn what it's about. Even
though it's different from what I want, it's still valuable. During the
business exchange, I got to meet quite a few people from Delaware
companies. This is now a source for me when I try to get into my field."
-Tricia Teti, senior, business and
technical writing major
Internship: Delaware State Chamber of Commerce,
Communications Department
Student interns were interviewed by Matthew Beckman, Jennifer Jones and
Mary Beth Lynch, all interns in the Office of Public Relations.