Internship Update

Due to the frequency of 'internships' offered on Planet College an entry was made here.

This is an update.

Opportunities for "interns" appear often on flyers distributed around most campuses, in job listings in the campus newspaper and on many on line job boards. This term has often been interpreted to indicate "unpaid", the implication being the intern will be compensated in experience. This interpretation is seriously incorrect. Because this term has become so widely misinterpreted The State of California has issued a directive which outlines the conditions under which a worker may be termed an "intern." The New York Times published an article concerning this directive and you may read it here. If you are considering an internship please read it carefully. Of course, the definitions and conditions for an internship will vary from state to state and it is smart for you to check out your state's requirements for this classification. This is to assure you are not simply being exploited. Essentially the consensus is an intern must be compensated by some means for their efforts.

Becoming an intern in the industry in which you intend to work can be a useful opportunity for you. It helps to know, though, that you are not just unpaid labor.

Got a passport?

Planet College is an endless series of opportunities. New friends, new experiences and even travel. Most every opportunity on Planet College requires some basics, time, money and at least some preparation. Preparation often includes appropriate documentation and for travel outside of the United States a passport. Last summer a student, Brian, was invited by friends to accompany them on a trip to Samoa. Mostly this was for surfing and partying. Part of Samoa is an American possession which is why it is known as American Samoa. Part but not all. Because passport application processing can take several weeks Brian did not have a valid passport when he left for the trip. So when his friends traveled to the parts of Samoa which are not American possessions Brian was left behind. Tough lesson. A little preparation often goes a long way toward making life run a little more smoothly. If you don't have a passport it could be useful to look into getting one. If you do have a passport it is important to determine whether it is up to date. The Bureau of Consular Affairs, which is a division of The United States Department Of State is sponsoring Passport Day In The USA and the details are available here. Important details such as the time and money involved and US Passports issuing agencys are covered here. Look into it. Opportunity on Planet College often comes up when you least expect it. So, like a good scout, Be Prepared.

It is your time.

Your time is priceless, irreplaceable. Effective use of it is the swiftest way to your goal, graduation. Effective use of time is an art. On Planet College there are numerous distractions. Distractions which can lead to an ineffective use of your precious time.
Most institutions of higher learning are aware that students can benefit from guidance, guidance of all kinds including time use.
At a large state university in Southern California, Dr. Tom Stevens, a counselor has developed a system based on his experience with students. It is based on priorities established by the students themselves. The University of Texas offers time planning to its education majors. Virginia Tech offers time planning in its study guide for students. Princeton too, like most other Ivy League schools and in fact most all schools offers time management instruction. There is a good chance that your school also offers some course or counseling or guidance which features the essential elements of time management or planning. Look into it. It might be through counseling, advising or the education department among others. It is definitely worth your time, and it is your time.