As I get ready to graduate from FSU in December, the “Then what?” question still lingers over my head just as heavily as it did the day I decided to become a Communications Arts major when I was a freshman. Throughout my four years, I have stuck with the “general” concentration (CMG), and got the best of each world within the major. I have enjoyed this concentration because I really got to test out what I like, what I am good at, and what I do not have a future doing, and I have always felt this was a great option for those unsure students in the same boat as I was/still am. As I get ready to finish my degree, I realize that I do have one complaint about the concentration, and that is that it does not require an internship. Although I enjoyed the freedom and flexibility of being able to choose basically whatever course I want to take within the major, I still feel as though I lack the direction I have seen other students acquire through an internship.
For the students that I have known that have been required to take an internship, I have watched them struggle with the process. It has appeared to be a somewhat daunting task of trying to find an appropriate internship, find one that actually interested them, and always with the hope that it would be paid. In my four years as a general Communications Arts major, I admit there have been times where I have felt relieved to not have to go through this struggle. Nobody wants to work for free, and despite the great experience of the internship, the idea of being required to work a certain number of hours per week for zero pay has never been an appealing one. But standing in the position I am in now, I regret not having the experience. Regardless of the lack of compensation, I can confidently say that I would have rather had the experience of one “real world” job under my belt as I get ready to enter life beyond college, rather than be in the uncertain position I am in now.
It is easy to look back now and say that there was nothing stopping me from finding an internship on my own. It might look like I was lazy, or an unmotivated student, but since the pressure was not there, I did not see the need for it at the time. I did not have the drive to try to find work for free when I was already a struggling college student trying to work to pay my bills already.
By not requiring an internship, I am not sure if the heads of the Communication Arts department think they are doing the CMG students a favor or if they are purposely trying to deny us of an opportunity. I have loved my time in the major, and despite my lack of direction, I would not take my experience back if I could.
I am in the same boat as you. I have a CMG concentration and am graduating in May. Although it has been nice to have so much freedom over the years, I almost wish the internship was in fact required. Sure, we CAN take one, but if we don't have to, then most of us probably aren't going to, and we really should. Unfortunately I think students that had an internship will have an advantage over those of us who didn't. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you as well and I believe General Comm Studies should require all their students to do an internship. I am a CMG as well and have been enjoying the college life up until now. I am taking part in an internship this coming winter but if I had not looked into it, I would have never approached the idea because it is not required. Corporate communication majors are required to complete an internships and i agree with how these students are going to be ahead of the game. With the job market still slow today, the more experience someone has, the better you are going to be. I would try to get involved with an internship this winter break. It is tough to work for no pay but if you want to get that job when you graduate and start paying off those college loans, experience will help.
ReplyDeleteThere was nothing stopping you from finding an internship on my own. A potential employer will be comparing your resume against other graduates who did sign up for an internship. The business will be interested in hiring someone who has the drive to try and find work.
ReplyDeleteI am sure the heads of the Communication Arts department think they are doing corporations a favor by allowing their students to demonstrate their motivation.
It is not the job of a public higher education institution to be "doing corporations a favor."
ReplyDeleteThe link between internships and jobs today cannot be question. But for a state school to require all or most students to sign up for one is out of the question.
Students are often too busy, economically constrained and unfortunately, sometimes not motivated enough. Required internships would cause problems unless they are in a major such as corporate communications where students should be prepared for it.
The other problem with internships is that FSU cannot compete with other private schools and offer students the ability to take a semester long or year long internship that includes a substantial time commitment. Summer positions are the only alternative for students here.
With Gen Ed goals, no limit on core classes for majors and other requirements, students often struggle to graduate in four years - let alone compete for the demanding internship opportunities offered in Boston.
If FSU ever requires internships, they have to give students the opportunity to compete, not just offer a local company free labor one day a week.