Internships give students real-world experiences, Larisa  Slaughter, the internship coordinator at Emory University, said. You can have four years of classes and still feel lost when it comes to work.  

Don't wait to begin looking for internships after you graduate. That process can start as early as your junior or senior year in high school, the earlier the better. Internships are offered in most areas of study. 

Brenda Davis, Director of Career Services at Alabama A&M University, says that internships let students know what they need to improve upon and what additional courses they need to take to become marketable. And the more diverse experience you have, the more marketable you become. 

The Mayor's office in New Orleans, Louisiana offers a Chevron Internship that has existed for 11 years. It is geared toward graduating high school seniors, and freshmen and sophomores in college. This year 25 interns were hired, all having at least  3.0 grade point averages. The students were placed in various city government offices such as the Recreational Department, the Police Department, the Mayor's office and City Council offices. Mary Mayo, the assistant to the Mayor for Human Resources, said they look for students who are eager, outgoing, highly motivated, and who want to learn about city government and how it operates. 

SAFECO, which provides services in real estate management and investment, personal and commercial insurance, retirement services, annuities and health insurance, surety and asset management,  also offers internships for undergraduates.  The interns work in different settings such as claims, marketing, audit, public relations and personnel. Basically we try to match their interests, said Raphael Madison, Assistant Vice President and Marketing Director at SAFECO. But one of the big questions is, If I don't know what I want to do, how do I go about finding an internship?  

Vera Morales, internship recruiter at Walt Disney World, says students should focus in their area of interest. Focus on what they do best things that they know how to do.  

Ada Green, director of the Career Placement Office at Dillard University,  says, They (students) should get an internship close to their majors. Pat Garott, director of Career Services at Purdue University, offers advice to students who are unsure about what they want to pursue and encourages students to find internships in one of the areas close to what they want to do. 

Students should explore their interests particularly in unpaid internships. Many businesses and individuals in the communities are willing to give students special projects, Garott said. Is an unpaid internship really worth it? It is bad enough you're at the foot of the totem pole and because you are not receiving any funds you may seem to be no more than a volunteer. How do you make the most out of an unpaid internship? 

According to The Internship Bible, to maximize the unpaid internship you must: 

1. Knock on doors. At most organizations, higher-ups are willing to grant a few minutes of their time to an inquisitive intern. Ask top-level employees how they spend a typical day, what other opportunities exist in the field, and whom you should talk to. Seek a mentor. You want to leave the internship with at least a handful of contacts you can call on later. 

2. Get credit. To get academic credit for your internship, it's in your best interest to treat the position as a course (an end-of-the-internship paper is usually the only assignment.) In fact some employers who offer unpaid internships require that you receive academic credit. To assist you, most campuses have internship or co-op offices that grant college credit for unpaid internships. 

3. Go behind the scenes. The action at an office often occurs behind closed doors. Ask to sit in on strategy sessions and office meetings. If you intern at a TV station, ask to watch tapings of various programs. At a news show ask to accompany correspondents on interviews. At a magazine, ask to observe editors interacting with writers. What you learn about the lifeblood of an organization will not only allow you to decide whether the industry is right for you but also put you on firm footing if you later want to get hired there. 

Whether the internship is paid or unpaid, the goal is to snag one. Internships are essential in order to be more marketable, said Paul Jeffries, Assistant Director of Career Services at Xavier University. Big companies are looking for people with experience.  

Walt Disney World will not hire students who do not have experience in their field. It pays off to have experience, said Morales. We take the most qualified and experienced people who present themselves well.  

If you are just starting your search for an internship, you may not have experience under your belt just yet. But companies basically look for people who are eager, outgoing, highly motivated, and have an interest in the company. 

The benefits of an internship are unlimited. Madison at SAFECO says that internships are beneficial because they give students real-life experiences. By showing students real life work experience, they are able to develop skills while in college and to let them see how they can market themselves while in college.  

College students interested in the telecommunications and information fields are fortunate to be entering the job market at a time when opportunities abound in these professions. Bellcore seeks interns with GPAs of 3.4 or above who are majoring in Computer Science, Business and Computer or Electrical Engineering. Its Sumer Employment Program includes mentors, office space with voicemail and e-mail, transportation and subsidized housing at Rutgers University. 

Students seeking experiences in a big, urban environment may be interested in The American Institute for Foreign Study's New York City Semester: An Internship Experience, a joint program with Manhattan College.  According to the Institute, the internship is  an educational semester that immerses students in New York City commerce, culture and communications.   The toll-free number is 1-800-727-2437. 

One way to spend time in the nation's capital is to obtain a Federal government summer internship. Government agencies offer excellent opportunities for college students, but it's important to look beyond the well-known agencies and explore possibilities at some of their support agencies. For example, the Institute for Defense Analyses, a non-profit corporation that assists the Department of Defense in addressing important national security issues, especially  those requiring scientific and technical expertise, offers internships to qualified college students. To obtain information,  write to IDA, 1801 N. Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311-1772. 

Several organizations offer internships overseas, where students work to improve lives in other countries. CARE is an international relief development organization working in developing nations throughout the world. It is open to high school graduates with at least five years of field experience in developing countries, and college graduates with at least two years of field experience in a developing nation. 

Another well-known overseas organization is Peace Corps, which fights world hunger, disease, poverty, and lack of opportunity in more than 100 countries. It is open to high school graduates and recent college graduates and graduates of any age. 

For those interested in development and humanitarian projects, the United Nations Volunteer Program works with governments, UN agencies, developmental banks and non governmental organizations to support development and humanitarian relief projects in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. It is open to recent college graduates and graduates of any age. 

Internships overseas can be adventurous and intriguing but before leaving the country there are a lot of loose ends to be tied. 

According to the The Internship Bible, No one can lawfully enter and work in a foreign country without the proper documentation. Some countries have specific internship regulations that make it easier for Americans to obtain the necessary permits. In Germany, for example, you will usually be allowed to intern if you can show that the internship you are seeking is a required part of your coursework and is related to your field of study. And in most European countries, students entering the country as part of a study-abroad program usually have an easier time obtaining permission to intern either part time or while taking courses or for a few months afterwards. The Internship Bible also lists things to do before leaving to intern overseas.

They include the following: 

• Obtain a work permit and visa. 
• Go to the local library or bookstore and bone up on your host country's history, politics, economy, traditions, music, food etc. 
• Become familiar with the local language through language tapes or classes. 
• Find out from the country's consulate if you need to obtain any vaccinations. 
• Ask the sponsoring organization for assistance in arranging housing. 
• Pack a basic medical kit (especially if traveling to a third-world country or tropical region.) 
• Take a camera. 

Now that the importance of an internship has been made clear, the question  is: How do you go about finding these internships? One source is the career office on campus. 

The Career Center at Emory University recently started an internship exchange program with 10 other schools, including Duke, to open up more opportunities to Emory students throughout the country. Together, these schools share a data base system with internship listings. They provide counseling and workshops on how to find an internship. Approximately 80-85 percent of all Emory students have internships before graduating. 

At Columbia University's Career Services Office, an internship coordinator collects internship information. This information is placed on the web site and in a catalog in the office. Counseling on interview and resume preparation and cover letters is also provided in the office. 

In the summer of 1997 Dillard University had 100-plus students with internships. At Alabama A&M University most majors are required to do an internship during their senior year. These are called academic internships, senior seminars and practicum. 
Before students are allowed to do an internship they must have 15 hours of coursework in the field of the chosen internship. 

The National Directory of Internships edited by Barbara E. Baker and Bridget B. Millsaps offers opportunities in 75 fields for college students, graduates and high school students as well as people not in school. The Princeton Review Student Access Guide offers America's Top Internships and The Internship Bible. Together they offer more than 113,000 opportunities in internships. But that's not all, with the new technology students can now use the Internet to find internships.

One way to search for an internship on the Internet is to search for the keyword 'internships.' Many categories are listed but try Education: Guidance: Career and Employment Planning Internships. 

Many choices will come up, but look under Rising Star Internships. It is a list of internship postings and links. Next go under 'Student Search for Internships.' A list of categories will appear to choose for an internship. Look for 'Minority Students' category. A few listings will come up and try clicking on one of them. 

No matter how you get the internship whether it is through career services, word of mouth, or the Internet, the purpose is to get one. Here are some tips offered by Geffen Records for a successful internship:

• Maintain good attendance and punctuality. 
• Be cooperative. 
• Ask questions. 
• Accept criticism as a way of learning. 
• Admit a mistake to your supervisor. Better your supervisor to find out from you instead of someone else. 
• Don't use the office phone for excessive personal calls. 
• Dress neatly

Remember, it's never too late. Most organizations offer internships throughout the year. If you missed a deadline, apply now for the next year, and ask to be considered if something opens up sooner. And don't be discouraged by your age: internships are available for high school, college, and grad students as well as recent graduates even career changers. 
Tiffany Bennett is a senior at Xavier University of Louisiana and was a summer intern at The Black Collegian. Danielle Curtis, is a graduate student at the University of Missouri.

Intern Profiles

Name: Michael Coleman 
Company: SAFECO/Individual Underwriting and Compliance 
School: University of Washington 
Classification: Senior 
Major: Business administration 

What is the importance of an internship? Internships help to prepare you for the real world after college. It helps put your foot in the door and they see that you have experience.

Name: Wahketya Smoot 
Company: SAFECO 
School: Western Washington University 
Classification: Graduating Senior 
Major: Sociology

What is the importance of an internship? As an African-American woman, it is the best way to get your foot in the door. That experience is what I needed to decide if I wanted to be in the corporate world. Without that experience it is difficult because they (businesses) want to know what you have to offer them.

Name: Dionne Huggins 
Company: Walt Disney World Resorts, Disney Market Place Food and Beverage Hostess 
School: Clemson University 
Classification: Senior 
Major: Marketing 

What is the importance of an internship? My internship has helped me to understand the internal workings of a Fortune 100 company. I have also learned to appreciate diverse management styles and personalities within my workplace.

Name: Jeremy Bailey 
Company: Walt Disney World Resorts, Disney MGM Studios Food and Beverage Host 
School: University of Southern Mississippi 
Classification: Junior 
Major: Music 

What is the importance of an internship? One of the greatest learning experiences I gained from my internship was how to conduct myself in a business environment. I have learned to manage my time when faced with different deadlines. 

Name: Michael Davis 
Company: Walt Disney World Resorts, Magic Kingdom Custodial Host 
School: University of Texas at Austin 
Classification: Senior 
Major: Finance 

What is the importance of an internship? One of the most important skills I learned while on my internship at Disney was the art of networking. I have established more contacts in my field of study through talking and meeting people. 

Name: Nequana Holmes 
Company: Walt Disney World Resorts, Magic Kingdom Attractions Hostess 
School: Florida A & M University 
Classification: Junior 
Major: Broadcast Journalism 

What is the importance of an internship? Being a communication major, I have developed stronger presentation skills. My internship has allowed me to get hands-on experience, which placed my classroom learning into a real world setting. 

Name: Antonio Neves 
Company: Walt Disney World Resort, Epcot Attractions Host 
School: Western Michigan University 
Classification: Senior 
Major: Marketing 

What is the importance of an internship? The Walt Disney World Resort College Program has helped me to develop and enhance my communication skills as well as my interpersonal skills. The Walt Disney brand name is also a great resume builder. 

Name: Michael Coleman 
Company: SAFECO/Individual Underwriting and Compliance 
School: University of Washington 
Classification: Senior 
Major: Business administration 

What is the importance of an internship? Internships help to prepare you for the real world after college. It helps put your foot in the door and employers see that you have experience.  

Name: Wahketya Smoot 
Company: SAFECO 
School: Western Washington University 
Classification: Graduating Senior 
Major: Sociology 

What is the importance of an internship? As an African-American woman, it is the best way to get your foot in the door. That experience is what I needed to decide if I wanted to be in the corporate world. Without that experience it is difficult because they (businesses) want to know what you have to offer them.  

Name: Saleeta Spencer 
Company: New Orleans Mayor's Office/Chevron Internship Program 
Department: Councilman Roy Glapion 
School: Xavier University 
Classification: Sophomore 
Major: English 

What is the importance of an internship to you? An internship at the mayor's office gives you a chance to see city government for what it is. I sat in council meetings and had an opportunity to see how it works from a legislative point of view. 

Name: Winfred Warrick 
Company: New Orleans Mayor's Office/ Chevron Internship Program 
Department: Council Member Troy Carter District C 
School: Southern University at New Orleans 
Classification: Junior 
Major: Business Administration 

What is the importance of an internship? An internship is to get pre-professional experience and to learn about the different departments in city government. 

Name: Cheryl Curtis 
Company: New Orleans Mayor's Office/ Chevron Internship Program 
Department: City Attorney's Office 
School: Loyola 
Classification: Sophomore 
Major: Psychology 

What is the importance of an internship to you? The experience. Being that I want to go to law school, it gives me a general knowledge of what I'm getting into if I decide to go into law.