Summer search stumps students
Economic recession hinders internship, job search
Andy Buss
Issue date: 3/5/09 Section: Your News
The current economic recession has created a muddy playing field for students looking to gain on-the-job experience before graduation, students and professors say.
Hillsdale College sophomore Maddie Merritt said she is running out of luck trying to find a solid summer position in either film or business.
"I have been looking a lot," she said. "But recently, because of economic problems, most internships have been beginning to disappear - especially paid internships."
Merritt said a paid internship would really help her, but she has not come across the right one yet.
"I'm really looking for one that pays, because I really need to pay for things during the school year," she said. "And I can't afford to take a loss for an internship."
Assistant Professor of Political Science Thomas Krannawitter, who helps run the Washington-Hillsdale Internship Program, said it does not surprise him that paid slots have begun to vanish.
"With political think-tanks it's to be expected that paid internships will either disappear or be reduced as budgets are tightened," he said.
He said interns produce extra duties for companies, which may lead to less availability in both paid and unpaid positions.
"Having interns is a lot of work," he said. "Someone has to train the intern, watch the intern, tell them what to do. You have to have staff people monitor the interns. That means that companies who cut their workforce will leave those remaining with more work to do. So you can imagine companies scaling back or eliminating their internships."
Money is not necessarily the biggest issue for organizations reducing their openings for students, Krannawitter said
"Interns are not a high overhead cost," he said. "It's not like they're getting high wages and salaries - it's not a direct cost."
Audree Heath, who works at the college and assists students in their Quayle journalism internships in Washington, D.C., said fortunately those internships should remain unaffected. The donor-funded positions include housing, paid travel and a stipend.
Hillsdale College sophomore Maddie Merritt said she is running out of luck trying to find a solid summer position in either film or business.
"I have been looking a lot," she said. "But recently, because of economic problems, most internships have been beginning to disappear - especially paid internships."
Merritt said a paid internship would really help her, but she has not come across the right one yet.
"I'm really looking for one that pays, because I really need to pay for things during the school year," she said. "And I can't afford to take a loss for an internship."
Assistant Professor of Political Science Thomas Krannawitter, who helps run the Washington-Hillsdale Internship Program, said it does not surprise him that paid slots have begun to vanish.
"With political think-tanks it's to be expected that paid internships will either disappear or be reduced as budgets are tightened," he said.
He said interns produce extra duties for companies, which may lead to less availability in both paid and unpaid positions.
"Having interns is a lot of work," he said. "Someone has to train the intern, watch the intern, tell them what to do. You have to have staff people monitor the interns. That means that companies who cut their workforce will leave those remaining with more work to do. So you can imagine companies scaling back or eliminating their internships."
Money is not necessarily the biggest issue for organizations reducing their openings for students, Krannawitter said
"Interns are not a high overhead cost," he said. "It's not like they're getting high wages and salaries - it's not a direct cost."
Audree Heath, who works at the college and assists students in their Quayle journalism internships in Washington, D.C., said fortunately those internships should remain unaffected. The donor-funded positions include housing, paid travel and a stipend.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
bevery77
posted 3/09/09 @ 11:57 PM EST
It's a really tough market out there and the best way to deal with it is to become open with all possible options. Students may avail of more scholarships, internships and other benefits in http://www. (Continued…)
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