Volume 67, Issue 3

Go After Interships!

by Evan Alan Schottenstein

It's extremely important for college students to take internship positions considering the competitive atmosphere of the today’s job market.  Students can find the job experience extremely helpful for job placement.  A serious internship on one’s resume can help a job applicant stand out from the crowd.  Employers find experienced workers valuable; they want to hire people who have been involved in the greater business environment.  Such experienced workers have interacted with coworkers in corporate life and can understand the fundamentals of how a business runs, and how much effort must go into it.  Most importantly, one who works hard enough for an internship might find that position offered with a salary for a career. Internships also allow flexibility in finding a field one will enjoy. With all that internships have to offer, it is surprising that more students haven’t taken advantage of this.

Internships aren't always searched for by students as much as they should be.  Students usually preoccupied with other aspects of college life such as sports, theater, and other forms of recreation would say they simply don’t have the time look around for a an internship.  However, these activities can be found in internships right here in New York! 

That's the greatest thing about YU being in New York: it's full of opportunity.  Midtown Manhattan is stocked stories high with businesses that may offer enjoyable internship positions in fields like entertainment, fashion, theater and sports. 

One can intern for businesses like ESPN and MTV, or for theaters on Broadway, and TV studios.

Simply, if one looks and makes the extra effort, one could find a spectacular job and have fun too.  For instance, a certain student at Yeshiva University this year earned an internship at Columbia Pictures and works in their media relations and promotions department. Now, not only is he obtaining important knowledge in this field and gaining work experience, but he is also enjoying every minute of this job.

Basically his work consists of informing the Manhattan area of Columbia's upcoming movie premieres.  He does this by giving out all sorts of paraphernalia to stoke the excitement about their films.  Although he doesn't get paid for his work, he receives great incentives and shares them with his pals. 

When I first heard of this student's position, I too became interested in finding a similar position for myself.  However, I feared commitment to a job far too time consuming.  So I asked him in puzzlement, "isn't your internship too timely?"  He responded, "It's worth it.  This is what I want to do as a career.  I like the entertainment business and would like a job in its media relations department."  Additionally, he explained that it is also possible to get credit for one's work at an internship. However he is not exercising this option.  He exclaimed, "Who needs the credit?  This is something I like and helps me by providing me with work experience."

Inflamed with curiosity, I asked him if he could explain to me the process of how one obtains an internship.  He explained that it wasn't that difficult.  Simply build up a resume by listing all one's interests, extra-curricular and academic activities. Then once you have compiled your resume you can take it to YU's annual career fair which will be held soon.  (Look  out for flyers  and start checking your ymail account throughout October and November.)  Soon the Office of Placement and Career Services should also inform students at their ymail addresses about other "career fairs" being held in New York. 

One must realize the importance that an internship can have on one's resume.  It is something that will help one get a good job with a nice salary.  Yeshiva's in Manhattan so one should try to take advantage of what this city has to offer.   Seriously, stop acting lazy, and start looking!

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