Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

College interns feeling effects of recession
By Dinah Gorelik
Massachusetts Daily Collegian, U. Massachusetts
December 11, 2008

For students looking to land co-op and internship assignments, the recession is making the search for work experience a lot tougher.

As the unemployment rate rises upward of 6.5 percent nationwide, companies are trying to keep their heads above water by limiting the number of student workers they hire.

The decision could cut off a valuable asset to students, since co-ops and internships provide ways for students to gain valuable work experience, help pay for education and explore possible career choices.

Some, however, believe the decline in the economy might actually be beneficial for students, since undergraduate interns often do not work full time and can be paid lesser wages.

But these opportunities are limited, so colleges, families and students are facing difficulties finding good internships and co-ops. More importantly, students will have to present standout credentials rather than average qualifications as the competition for the same internship or co-op opportunities is expected to increase greatly.

"I think it will be extremely difficult for students looking to get an internship to get one," said UMass student, Mark Fitzgerald.

Many co-op and internship programs already in place at colleges are already feeling the impact of the failing economy.

Richard Newrock, dean of the College of Applied Science at the University of Cincinnati, which has a mandatory co-op program, said the school is having a difficult time placing students in the program.

UMass, however, is experiencing the opposite problem.

"There are tons of opportunities but not enough students are taking advantage of the internships and co-ops available at this school," said Jeffrey Silver, the associate director for field experience.

He said companies are begging more students to apply, as very few students are currently seeking out such opportunities.

While most students look for summer internships and co-ops, those slots are the most competitive and difficult to get. Finding them during the school year is much easier and advantageous because there are a greater number of openings during that time. Students also have the ability to choose whether they want to work while earning at least 15 credits. In the summer many kids end up taking a job that is not their first, or even second choice.

According to Silver, the reason other schools might be seeing a shortage in available internships and co-ops while UMass is not, is because of the school's well-established Field Experience Program and connections with businesses and companies nationwide.

The program updates a database of more than 1,000 positions and offers numerous workshops, two of which are scheduled to be held next week: one on Monday in Goodell 508, the other on Tuesday in Goodell 419. Both are set to begin at 3 p.m.

Networking nights in New York City and Boston are also being hosted specifically for UMass students.

Attending employers are expected to range from the State Street Bank to the New England Patriots to radio station KISS 108.

[ Back to Student Voices ]