Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

'Dream' internships have it all including hefty price tag
By Molly Berkenhoff
The University Star (Texas State U.- San Marcos)
05/23/2007

(U-WIRE) SAN MARCOS, Texas — A recent trend allows students seeking internships to avoid the sweat, stress and anxiety of the application process — so long as they are willing to put forth a few grand to save them the hassle.

Companies are now emerging which guarantee internship positions to students who pay the companies hundreds to thousands of dollars in return for their connections. One of the largest of these companies, the University of Dreams, offers more than 1,000 internship positions with connections at 500 plus institutions. Many of the positions granted through the company are unavailable to typical non-paying applicants. However, they can be attained through established connections at the University of Dreams.

"I think paying companies to find you an internship is taking the easy way out," said Andrew Cohen, marketing freshman. "You don't learn a thing about working in the real world if you can't even go out and look for a job yourself like millions of other people are doing daily."

The packages include housing, meals and transportation to and from work and can cost nearly $9,000 for an eight-week program. Interested students can choose from a slew of locations and professional areas listed on the company's Web site. The online application, along with the necessary funding, completes the process without requiring a resume. According to its Web site, the University of Dreams has placed 99 percent of all applicants in an intern position in its six years of existence.

A March 12 article in the Chicago Tribune said internships, along with good grades and extracurricular activities, have become among the most important aspects of resumes for those entering the job market. Employers seek students who have held internships because they have more experience and need less training.

Ashley Loh, recruiting adviser for the University of Dreams in Los Angeles, said the program opens doors for students in places they cannot get themselves.

"Because of all the connections in place through this program, students are able to find themselves in really fantastic internships that are otherwise unavailable," Loh said. "I think the cost is outweighed by all the benefits of the program and the experience and expertise you are able to gather by participating in it."

Loh said an additional incentive to participate in the University of Dreams program is the lack of hassle involved.

"We not only find the internship for you, but also take care of all the other arrangements you'll need for the summer," Loh said. "It takes a lot of planning and stress out of taking an internship in a different city."

Not everyone is certain about the benefits of such internship-finding companies.

"I don't recommend (these programs)," said Karen Julian, assistant director for experiential learning at Career Services. "You can find an internship without paying a large amount of money to someone to locate or place you in one. There are plenty of opportunities to use networking and other resources to find one yourself."

Career Services offers several outlets for students seeking internships. Prospective interns are recommended to attend the many job fairs held throughout the year, especially the Internship Fair which takes place every February.

"I definitely don't think it's worth the cost," said Gretchen Halle, fashion merchandising senior and Julian's intern. "There is definitely a reward that comes from getting that internship you've worked for. I don't think it would be as rewarding if you didn't earn it yourself."

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