Special to the Lorian

This year and perhaps for the next couple of years, graduating students likely will struggle to find the types of ideal jobs they are hoping for as they leave college.

In this job market, our investments for a more promising future seem more important than ever. One of the best investments a student can benefit from in this economic condition is experience. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, “76% of employers require relevant work experience before even considering hiring a new college graduate for full time.” According to another study done by Careerbuilder, “49% of employers stated they offer higher salaries to new college graduates with internship experience.”

One option that is available for college students is the University of Dreams internship program (www.SummerInternships.com), which pairs students with often-exclusive opportunities in major cities around the world. The program is expensive, usually costing several thousand dollars, but it guarantees internship placement in students’ preferred fields of interest, two months of housing in a major city, meals, transportation, weekend excursions, resume revision, interview coaching and more.

So, yes, there is a daunting investment, but the idea is to enable students to “get a foot in the door” in prestigious organizations and professions, as these internship experiences are likely to ensure higher salaries after graduation.

Here’s how it works:
1) Students start off by applying at www.SummerInternships.com. After applying, a notice will either confirm or “not confirm” your acceptance into the program (there are some standards as to who will be accepted that, and you can find those on the website).

2) Once a student is accepted, a resume adviser will contact the applicant and begin working on resume skills.

3) Once the resume workshop is completed, another adviser will contact the applicant and will request the applicant to look through the compiled list of internship opportunities in whichever city one has applied for. The applicant will pick about four or five of these opportunities, and the internship adviser will send out the resumes.

4) If any of the employers are interested after seeing the resume, they will contact the internship coordinator, who then goes about scheduling an interview.

5) Prior to the actual interview, the internship coordinator will provide an interview workshop session.

6) The interview will take place and, if accepted, the interviewee has 48 hours to decide whether to accept the internship.

7) If the interview doesn’t go as planned and the employer doesn’t feel that the applicant has the skills/abilities to work there, the internship coordinator will proceed to the next internship offering on the applicant list until one is found.