Movin' on down

Low economy leaves fewer internships

By: Neal Gough

Posted: 2/26/09

Senior Haley Nelson from Ashtabula, Ohio, loved photography and wanted to pursue a career in it - that is, until her internship.

"I decided it was something I want to just do as a hobby and not a career," Nelson said.

Nelson did another internship the following summer at Children's Hospital and found the career she really loved: art therapy.

"It was an eye-opener," Nelson said. "It let me know that I definitely want to work in a hospital."

Unfortunately for students such as Nelson, these valuable life lessons are becoming harder to attain. Due to a struggling economy and suffering job market, many companies are being forced to cut back on their expenses by cutting down on internships.

One such company making these cutbacks is Edward Jones. According to their general partner for financial adviser recruiting, Phill Leathers, Edward Jones has reduced active recruiting for their home office. Leathers said this business decision was based on cutting some expenses and controlling costs.

Associate Director of Career Development Yasemin Koss said she has seen firsthand the decline in internships, and she stressed the importance of being a well-rounded student with an assorted skill set to secure the limited number of internships being offered.

"It's a tight labor market," Koss said. "They are going to look at people who are more diverse and have done more extracurricular."

Koss said while certain industry cutbacks, such as steel and automotive, have caused a decrease in the number of internships offered to students, government internships and co-ops have actually increased.

According to Koss, students need a great résumé to stand a chance in an increasingly competitive job market, which is something that the Career Development Center is prepared to help with.

Leathers said the objective portion of the résumé is an important element because this is where students have the opportunity to display their clear understanding of the career field.

"You have the opportunity to say 'I want to work for your company'," Leathers said.

Koss said students also need excellent interview skills and said students should practice, whether it is in front of a mirror or with a friend or counselor.

Leathers said networking is another important aspect of landing that desired internship, and students need to meet as many people as they can. Norris Manning, director of Student Services for the School of Business, said grade point average is another crucial criterion.

"Companies often select students to interview based on G.P.A.," Manning said.

Manning said GPA alone will not get the student the internship or job.

However, mass communications professor Ralph Donald said SIUE students may have a leg up.

"We are hoping that since our internships are a finishing experience, that students are actually providing value to the company," Donald said.

Donald said this knowledge is benefit to SIUE students competing for internships because they have a grasp of what they are doing and are able to "do more than just get coffee."

In fact, Donald said he sees a different set of problems for mass communications students.

"For (mass communications) students, internships will not be a problem," Donald said. "Finding a job will be a problem after they graduate."

Not all students are worried, though. Speech communications junior Shannon Flynn from St. Charles, Mo., said she is confident in her ability to find an internship.

"You just have to work to find them," Flynn said.

Senior economics and finance major Todd Krydynski from Highland is not as optimistic.

"There is a shortage of opportunity right now," Krydynski said. "A few years ago it was a lot easier."

For more information on internships, contact the Career Development Center at 650-3708.