4 | Th e Stat e N e ws | We d n esday, Ap ri l 9, 201 4 | staten e ws.com
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The (in)opportunity of student internships, how they affect career prospects
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very senior knows the feeling. That looming question: “So what are you going to do after graduation?” Some of us are more prepared with answers. Some of us, like me, just started on that journey two months out from the end. What I didn’t realize, and many of us seniors only have now in retrospect, is the new necessity of experience to accompany an MSU diploma. Who are you if you haven’t had at least two or three internships before you send in that first real world job application? In today’s competitive job market — unemployed. To compete with the couple thousand MSU graduates and the unimaginable number of students graduating nationwide, you need a special something to set yourself apart from the rest, and that is experience. With only one internship (in Argentina) and no involvement in student organizations, an employer might take one look at my résumé and ask: What has this girl been doing these last four years? The answer is working. However, I haven’t quite figured out a way to professionally communicate, “Student internships don’t pay my rent.” All of your advisors encouraged it — some of them required it — but the fact of the matter is that undergraduate internships are the key to becoming employed right out of college. Not only does interning give you a leg-up in a company if you choose to stay there, but it also gives you valuable
Too many concerts at MSU have been canceled For the second time in a year, a concert on MSU’s campus has been canceled due to a lack of ticket sales. It’s time for some reevaluating.
contacts and builds your résumé to entice other fessional world. M a n y c ol l e gemployment suitors. Even if “previous experience” does not appear as es within MSU —Sara Konkel, State News reporter a requirement in a job posting, it is “highly recom- require and/or give mended” and many times is the deciding factor for credit for internwhose résumé gets a call back and whose goes in the ships, showing a camRead the rest online at pus-wide rectrash. The drawback of these internstatenews.com/blog. ognition of ships, however, is that they generguest columnist the need to gain ally are not paid or pay very little. experience relevant Thus, we see a trend appear where to your career goals. those who can afford to work for free However, what these generally are the ones who have the programs fail to recognize is opportunity to intern. the importance of time. Generally, This brings me to my dilemma — these internships are conducted in an opportunity. Unfortunately or forThose that have the time and opportunity to independent fashion on the student’s intern for free in this manner, whether for credit tunately (whichever way you wish own time. So how does one who is jug- or for their own personal growth, generally have to view it) my family could not progling a full-time job and full-time school an advantage over those who simply do not have vide me with much financial support Nicole Strobel strobeln@msu.edu commit to an internship if he or she does the luxury of time or financial resources. This perduring my time at MSU. As a result, not have time in which to conduct it? petuates a sort of classist division that going to a I have been working full-time at a If these programs took these challeng- university hopes to erase — the idea that if you local restaurant since sophomore year, living off of minimum wage and my student es into consideration, maybe they could work out work hard and do well in college, you will obtain loan refunds. As I apply for jobs, I retrospectively see a solution to this problem. the career of your dreams. However, the system in For example, students could take a “lab” where which MSU is currently operating does not exactly how vital student internships are for life after graduation. Even with my dual degree stamped with so they would have scheduled time dedicated solely accomplish this goal of opportunity for all. many wonderful achievements (MSU, James Mad- to an internship. This could help students like me Colleges within MSU should work together to ison College, Honors College, etc.), I feel as if all who work as much as they can to use what would rethink how they incorporate internships into the my hard work will be lost in the shuffle of “Well, normally be class time for an internship. I realize undergraduate process in order to open up the field the other applicant understands this kind of work that this is the point of making the internship for of opportunity. After all, shouldn’t we a feel ready credit, but the reality is that most students take on to graduate? environment and you don’t.” This suggests a need to incorporate internships a full schedule in addition to these internships just Nicole Strobel is a comparative cultures and politics into curriculum to prepare students for the pro- to graduate on time. and Spanish senior. Reach her at strobeln@msu.edu.
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how to maintain longdistance relationships
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ne distinct memory that always comes to mind this time of year is from high school: Spring is break up season. For so many young couples who will be spending the summer apart, the end of the spring semester brings about hard decisions that either solidify or end their time together. For a courageous few, however, the end of the spring means long-distance. This is my life.
phone or similar device nearby to respond to messages as promptly as possible.
3) Be understanding. This lesson can help in many ways and can be seen in many forms. For example, while I was abroad it was very difficult to communicate because Internet access was not consistent or constant. And without an international phone, contact was difficult on some days. However, my boyfriend was understanding in that he knew sometimes I just could not respond as fast as I would have wanted. Additionally, it is helpful to understand that you and your partMy boyfriend, Ricky Price, ner are in a curiand I met at the ous position in your end of freshman guest columnist lives, and summer year and have can be a time for spent every sumlife-changing expemer apart from riences. One must one another be realistic and realsince: one while ize that when one I worked for the is spending a day Academic Orienat the Eiffel Tower tation Program, or the Pão de Açúanother while Daniel Becker car, texting is not an studying in Brabecker76@msu.edu immediate concern, zil and finally and a partner should this summer at be understanding and flexible. an internship with a multinaFinally, couples must undertional corporation in Toronstand that some nights, one’s to. Throughout these experiences, however, I have learned partner might go out with new friends and have a little fun. a number of lessons that are Rather than getting angry that important to keep in mind if they are out without you, try you’re facing the possibility to avoid feeling jealous or left of a long-term relationship. out. Instead, understand that they are making memories 1) Remember the importhat they might never have at tant dates and take any other time in their lives. advantage of alternative dates. 4) Look to the future. Although we were physiIt is difficult to see your cally not together, the deciloved one making beausion to become exclusive with tiful memories and havmy boyfriend was made on July 4th, when I decided it was ing great experiences. My recommendation is simtime for crazy freshman me to ple: remember that if it is settle down. Despite the fact meant to be, there is a great that we have never been physfuture ahead. Within this ically together for this annifuture are numerous opporversary, we always make an tunities to travel with each effort to Skype and see each other and create memories other. We also choose a weektogether. With this in mind, end when we are together so the time apart can be time to we can celebrate our anniverplan for a future together. sary in a special way, which In general, I would rectypically involves a weekend ommend couples try to stay of fun activities like a trip to calm. A summer is only three the planetarium or splurgmonths, and a little space ing on a hotel getaway. can make the heart grow fonder. From my experi2) Try to communicate ence, distance has been nothas much as possible. ing but an opportunity to When you cannot physicalevaluate one’s life and posily see your loved one, I have tion in a relationship, which learned that being a phone has always ended up helpcall away is a good way to ing me out in the long run. continue to feel their presDaniel Becker is a comence in your life. In order for parative cultures and polthis to work, one must make itics senior. Reach him at an effort both to remember becker76@msu.edu. to send messages and keep a
Michael Holloway mholloway@ statenews.com
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LETTER: March with MSU Students United to fight for students’ rights An end to tuition hikes? Ok, well forget about seeing any improvements or advances made on campus. If you want to go somewhere with cheap education, MSU isn’t for you. University of Phoenix is for you. Go back to pre-Snyder funding? Ok, where is the money going to come from? Granholm spent a lot of money that she didn’t have and sent our state into a downward spiral. Perhaps we can stop plowing snow in the winter and fixing roads in the summer? 50% representation of students on the Board of Trustees? When was the last time a student even tried running for board of trustees? ron, April 8
Let’s not forget the fact that the student population changes entirely every 4 years. Do they care? Yes. Do they care enough to waste their Friday walking a few miles to the Capitol building? Probably not. Duncan’s time might be better spent learning WHY the situation is the way it is. Legislation is only going to make the problem worse. (in reply to ron) Matt, April 5
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