By Patricia Rivera
CTW Features
In a challenging job market for college graduates – just two in five seniors had a job offer in hand on graduation day last year – one of the most important factors in job search success is an internship on the résumé. For students who don’t have an internship lined up for the summer, now is the time to start looking.
"; article_html += "“The best internships go early. If you don’t have one yet, start making contacts as soon as possible,” says Manny Contomanolis, associate vice president of enrollment management and career services at Rochester Institute of Technology (N.Y.).
"; article_html += "Class of 2011 graduates who had paid internships under their belts were more likely to get a job offer, to have a job in hand and to receive a higher starting salary than peers with unpaid internships or no internships at all, according to a study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
"; article_html += "Internships in the for-profit sector seemed to carry the most weight. More than 61 percent of those with paid internships in this segment received job offers. By contrast, less than 40 percent of students who interned with a state or local government employer received a job offer by graduation day.
"; article_html += "“Our data clearly shows that paid internships lead to greater success in a job search,” says Mimi Collins, spokesperson for NACE.
"; article_html += "Part of the difference lies in the type of work completed. NACE found that paid interns spent more time on relevant, professional tasks. Unpaid interns spent more time on clerical activities.
"; article_html += "If students expect to gain on-the-job experience, they may not have a choice. Some industries offer mostly unpaid internships.
"; article_html += "“Even though much has been said about the ethics of unpaid internships, the reality is that for the college student, it boils downs to the fact that they need real-world experience,” Contomanolis says.
"; article_html += "For students still looking for a summer 2012 internship, Contomanolis offers these tips:
"; article_html += "• Develop basic skills. Students must learn the basics of identifying their marketable skills, interviewing and networking.
"; article_html += "• Make time to look for an internship. Look at it as a class and set aside a certain number of hours each week to actively prepare for the interviews and to look for a job. If needed, make a plan for how you will prepare yourself.
"; article_html += "• Once you land an internship, make the most of it. Take it seriously, ask questions and build a professional network that could help you for years to come.
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