The Etownian >> News
Internship woes plague student; employment less likely
Thursday April 02 2009
In today’s economy, getting a job is becoming more and more of a challenge. This task is nearly impossible for those with no previous job experience, especially students fresh out of college. Elizabethtown College senior Kristin Dougher has not been successful in her search for an internship.Dougher was accepted into two internships. One was offered to her last summer and another this upcoming summer. The first was guaranteed by Donovan Advertising Agency and the second was awarded after winning a project management competition sponsored by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
Dougher’s first internship with the Donovan Advertising Agency was for the position of an account executive. She remained in contact with the agency over the phone while studying abroad in Ireland and received an e-mail containing information about her pay rate.
“When I called them later about it to find out the exact dates, they told me that they had never guaranteed it to me and that they had given the internship to someone else,” Dougher said.
Business Professor Hossein Varamini contacted the organization after Dougher was denied the position. While in contact, Varamini expressed that Dougher was planning to receive credit for her previously guaranteed internship.
In turn, the agency offered Dougher a non-paid position, which she was unable to accept as a result of the high cost of the study abroad program. In addition, the company also offered a position for the fall which did not fit Dougher’s schedule.
The internship Dougher was offered with Theatre on the Hill from McDaniel College was an awarded position. “The Theater on the Hill is closing its doors for the summer because of the economic situation.
“So that internship was canceled,” Dougher stated. “Also, after I found out about the cancellation, I contacted the Theatre on the Hill at McDaniel College where my internship was supposed to take place, and I found out through my communications with them that they knew back in January that the program would not continue this summer. January was the same month as the competition.”
After two terminated internships, Dougher was left with nowhere to turn. She then wrote a letter stating her current situation to College President Theodore Long.
“I think it is very unfortunate, and it turns out to be quite unfair for her,” Long said. “It is quite a sad thing, and I feel for her.”
Long replied to Dougher’s letter suggesting alternatives for her internship this summer. “This is something where you wish that the world wouldn’t be so disappointing for people with ambition and talent who are willing to put themselves on the line and do something outstanding and who are committed to getting the experience to pursue what their dreams are,” Long expressed.
Dougher is considering an internship opportunity in Maryland this summer, but is reluctant to apply. The downside to this is that she must go through the interview process in order to be considered. This position is also unpaid, another disadvantage.
With no job experience, it is virtually impossible for Dougher to get a job that she desires by May when she graduates; therefore, she plans to get her Master of Business Administration degree in the upcoming years.
“It’s not quite as big of a problem because I’m not going into the working community immediately,” Dougher said. “If it was the other way around I honestly don’t know what I would do.”
The Etownian >> News