Internships are especially valuable in a poor job market

CollegeJournal.com

In today''s poor employment climate, it takes more than a college degree to get a job, according to CollegeJournal.com, The Wall Street Journal''s site for career-minded college students. A recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that 42.4% of employers said they expect to cut college hiring.

Tony Lee, editor in chief of CollegeJournal.com says that internships are essential
for students who want to make their career dreams come true. Even though internships are temporary and typically low- or nonpaying, they''re still valuable assets on a resume.

Internships help you build professional experience, and that''s important because you can prove you have ''real world'' skills, Mr. Lee says. With an internship on your resume, it shows you have a commitment to your field and that you''ve invested time and effort to get ahead of the learning curve.

Many new college grads are uncertain about what careers to pursue. Signing on for one or more internships helps students determine what kind of jobs they would enjoy.

Interns gain professional experience for a specific length of time, so there''s no long-term commitment. Although most internship programs cater to undergraduates, plenty welcome postgraduates, so if you''re a departing senior, it''s not too late to start one now. It''s often assumed that internships are held only in the summer. In reality, many run year-round. Whether paid or unpaid, internships offer a valuable learning experience, networking connections, an opportunity to earn recommendations and a chance to get a job at the host company or elsewhere.

Here are some ways to get the most out of an internship:

Learn as much as you can about the company and its competitors.
If you have down time, create a project on your own and make sure that it is acceptable with the boss to proceed with it.
Find someone in management to be your mentor.
If you don''t know something, ask questions.
Arrive five to ten minutes early and stay late to show your dedication.
Don''t be afraid to accept challenging projects.
Ask to participate in department meetings.
Do more than you are asked to do and finish in a timely manner.
Ask for a good recommendation from the company before leaving.