Should You Get an Internship?

Interning can be a valuable experience while in college, but it is important to take several things into account-and to find the most ideal internship situation. You can, of course, find an internship through your university's internship coordinator or career services department. Also, individual academic departments may have information about upcoming internship opportunities.

Despite these avenues, the best internship opportunities can often be found through friends who work at companies already-and on the company web site directly. If, for example, you wish to intern at MTV, you can visit the MTV Jobhunt web site and search for available internships by department, city, and other requirements.

Also, check the job listings page at Mediabistro (mediabistro.com/jobs) as they often feature in-demand paid and unpaid media internships.

Once you start your internship, try your best to make connections-don't just do whatever menial tasks they give you and then leave at the end of the day. If you do this, you are simply giving the company free labor, and are not getting very little in return.

You want to make friends with employees there and get yourself noticed by management, and the HR department, while also accomplishing any tasks you are given.

Don't give yourself too many hours or you may burn out. The thrill of working at a leading media or financial company quickly wears off when you aren't being paid-and when people with equal or less qualifications are working alongside you, drawing massive salaries.

Remain positive, network constantly, and make sure your university gives you academic credit for the internship so you get something out of it.

Smart employees at your internship will treat you with respect and mentor you-who knows, you could very well be their boss a few years down the road. Despite this, you may encounter employees who abuse their status and ask you to do tasks that do nothing to enrich your knowledge.

If this abuse gets out of hand, speak with the internship coordinator at the company or threaten to quit. Explain that you want to learn more about the field you're interested in; you don't want to simply pick up laundry or clean out coffee mugs.

As long as you are respectful and clearly explain what you want out of the experience, you will probably be reassigned to a more exciting division. If not, you can always quit (you aren't being paid and you have no contractual obligation to stay most of the time), but if you decide to rough it out keep in mind it is only for a semester anyway. It will soon be over and you will have gained a great add-on to your resume, and possibly even a stellar recommendation letter from your superior.