Movin' on down
Low economy leaves fewer internships
Neal Gough
Issue date: 2/26/09 Section: News
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.
"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.
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