http://www.simonejenifer.org is new for the summer. I must admit it took me most of May 14th to format the images, rig the CSS, and composite the pics. But the carpal tunnel is worth it. I believe I have a site that is clean, uncluttered, and true to me.

CC License Attribution: Astragony

Of course, there is a potential downside to internships. Presently, many of the available postings are unpaid. Companies find that stiff competition between college students and recent grads makes it a “seller’s market”.  The decline in availability of paid internships is evidence of this.

In addition to the possibility of upaid work for part of your school year, here are a few other negatives to consider when making your decision:

1. Workload:  There’s a slim possibility that an unscrupulous employer will take advantage of your technical skills and give you tons of labor intensive projects, while you get none of the recognition. A great way to screen out this sort of employer is to get a clear idea of the scope of work and hours expected of the intern during your initial interview. Ask questions during the interview!
2. Uninspiring Projects: Although this is rare, a few people read the title "Intern" as a catch-all position that encompasses coffee maker, copy collator, errand runner, and grunt-work doer.
3. Expenses:  Finally, you may end up spending a bit out-of-pocket to gain valuable experience. Is this a paid internship? If not, will you have to pay for room, board and travel expenses after accepting the position? Does the company offer mileage reimbursement? Find out!

Learn more about the up-side of participating in an internship.

As you weigh your options, remember that the ultimate goal is to land an decent job, in your field, with a competitive salary and a level of job satisfaction. Internships offer you real work experience that is hard to get once you leave school.

In college, they tell you that your internship counts as professional experience. It generally does. This is why participating in an internship is an excellent idea for design students who plan to have jobs post-graduation.

An internship gives you the opportunity to test drive your chosen career path, work on real-world projects, and see an actual workflow–without the luxury of multiple revisions that you have in the classroom. Undertaking an internship when you’re still in school is one of the best ways to see what you’re in for before your university closes its gilded doors behind you, for good.

These are the top reasons for you to bite the bullet and take that 3 or  6 credit internship:

CC License Attribution: Astragony

Gain Experience:  First and most importantly, an internship gives you opportunities and experiences you won’t get as a student. Although it’s less true today than two years ago, you have the chance to get your foot in the door of a company or industry where you want to work.

Test-drive a Career:  Is graphic design really for you? Are you prepared to work in a fast-paced , deadline driven environment? Are you prepared to fire a client? Find out more about yourself and about the field through your internship.

Pry Open a Door: Having Discovery Channel, Johns Hopkins University, or Blakeslee Group on your resume reads a lot better than freelance babysitter. Believe it!

Make Connections:  As an intern you meet people working in your industry—with years of experience under their belts. Pick their brains! Get feedback on your on-the-job performance, and even on graphic design school projects. In no other industry are peers more willing to share their knowledge, expertise, and work-arounds. Keep business cards and bookmark these folks’ websites, and connect with them on LinkedIn—a freelance referral, glowing recommendation, a job lead, or a mentor might well be in your future.

Of course, there is a potential downside to internships. Presently, many of the available postings are unpaid. Companies find that stiff competition between college students and recent grads makes it a “seller’s market”.  The decline in availability of paid internships is evidence of this.

Find out about the potential downside of participating in an internship

As you weigh your options, remember that the ultimate goal is to land an decent job, in your field, with a competitive salary and a level of job satisfaction. Internships offer you real work experience that is hard to get once you leave school.