Student internships often lead to real jobs after college

The Record (Hackensack N.J.) (MCT) - College internships can provide a critical leg up in an ever-tightening job market, experts say.

Just ask John Miseo, who interned at MTV while still a student at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He landed a full-time job with the television network in Manhattan before graduating in May.

"The internship really paid off in terms of learning and in terms of money,'' said Miseo. "It helped _ especially in today's economy. Some of my friends are still looking for work."

Miseo's internship was unpaid, as are many in the media, where companies take advantage of abundant student interest, said Rosalie Sabatino, the career center director at Fairleigh Dickinson. But internships can run the gamut, she said. Some pay stipends or transportation costs, and some provide a nice weekly salary.

"We try to fight for the students to have a stipend or hourly pay rate,'' said Sabatino. Business internships average about $15 per hour, she said, while liberal arts assignments can be considerably less.

But even without pay, the experience can prove invaluable, and internships are increasingly popular.

"That internship on your resume is going to count much more than the typical job you would be doing in the summer, whether bartending or baby-sitting,'' Sabatino said. "The internship shows you are willing to take the next step and get some experience in your major."

Over half of university's students take part in internships, and an increasing number do more than one, she said. Of late, there has been a spike in interest in internships involving graphic arts and animation, she said.

And businesses are increasingly interested in such arrangements. "Were getting more and more companies, both large and small, who are looking for interns _ especially with downsizing,'' Sabatino said.

Some interns play a supporting role, others have more responsibility and some job-shadow _ one Fairleigh Dickinson student is accompanying a cardiologist as he goes about his work. Some interns at a program at Montclair State University even spend time in big-headed costumes _ as $8-an-hour characters at Disney World.

Sabatino advises students to be proactive if their internships turn out to be filled with grunt work. Apart from the actual work, Sabatino said, the internships can provide a window on the relationships of the working world and corporate culture.

"It's an eye-opener,'' she said. And sometimes internships can help steer a student away from a career path that's not for them after all.

But one thing is certain _ they are a resume-builder.

"Internships are becoming more important. It's vital for students on their resumes,'' Sabatino said. "It's a very competitive job market, and it's something employers are looking for."

Ann Limberg, president of Bank of America New Jersey, agrees. "Internships enhance resumes incredibly,'' she said. "What's better than hands-on learning internships?"

Bank of America's Student Leader Program places high school interns in paying jobs with community and non-profit groups.

"You can't start early enough,'' said Limberg. The aim of the program is two-fold, to promote young leaders and help bolster the groups."

Ellen Chiu interned at the Wayne and Pequannock Boys & Girls clubs as both a camp counselor and performing development work.

"Of course it's good for college," said Chiu, "and it also increases my interest level in business.''

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