LOGOS Student Newspaper

Logos photo by Anna Seibert NIACC student Adam Carr takes it strong to the hoop during intramural basketball held in the NIACC gym. For more information on remaining opportunities in intramurals, contact the NIACC Athletic Office in the Activity Center.

Internships key

Practice makes perfect. An internship may be the practice needed to land the perfect job.

According to a study conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) nearly 70% of employers extend job offers to interns.

Kim Caponi, director of the North Iowa Career Center, said that this number closely relates to the number of NIACC students who intern and receive job offers.

“Based on the programs at NIACC that require internships and those that don’t, those that require internships, most of their placement rates are higher,” Caponi said.

Caponi also said that between 150-200 students are currently participating in internship programs.

Internships can provide much more than a foot in the door to a job. Internships provide students with a chance to connect learning in the classroom to what is expected in the specific career field.

“One of the biggest benefits of participating in an internship program is networking,” Caponi said. While in an internship program, students are able to meet and make impressions on what could be future employers.

Students can also receive course credit while participating in an internship. In order to receive credit, students must meet specific learning objectives tied to the particular internship and work a set number of hours. A student can earn two credit hours by completing at least 120 hours of work.

Searching for an internship is much like searching for a job. Caponi said that students should think about places they might like to work, and then contact the place just like a person would for a job. Although the criteria for applying for internships vary, students should consider having a resume and cover letter that can be submitted.

Students looking for more information on internships can contact the North Iowa Career Center at (641) 422-4353.