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.

Next Time We'll Have A Guest Speaker

Instructors on Planet College strive earnestly to make their subject interesting to their students. One common tactic is a guest speaker. Whatever the subject, the guest is usually an authority, involved in the field, and typically not another instructor. Your instructors use guest speakers to liven up the term which can often, especially around now, become a kind of droning drudgery.

Often when a guest speaker is announced the average students response is,
"Oh good, I can skip class."

If this has been your usual attitude this term go. Go, and listen to the guest speaker. Listen carefully to what they have to say. Guest speakers provide a fresh angle on the course content, often illuminating the subject from the angle of a working professional. And that is they key. Whoever they are, they are probably working in the field. While the subject of the course may not be the field you intend to work in, the guests insights might provide stimulation for your career quest. Their talk may provoke possibilities as yet not considered by you.

Even if you are right now absolutely convinced that you will never work in the field which is the topic of the course, listening to this speaker can at least broaden your horizon. That is why you are on Planet College, among many reasons. This time give the guest speaker a chance, show up and listen, you may find a whole new career possibility.

You don't need more time.

Right around now some projects are coming due and others are being assigned. The big stuff, stuff that is a large part of your grade. Individual reports, group projects, lab assignments, you know the stuff. And right now, as you've seen especially if you've been around Planet College for a few semesters, nobody has any time. Every body is rushed, everyone's schedule is on emergency overload, everyone is busy, BIZZEEE, busy, get it? Or at least that is what the class negotiator will say when the instructor starts handing out the time and date for the way big deal assignments.

Oh, there's no class negotiator? You must be new. Because nearly every class has at least one student who as soon as these assignments are proposed raises her hand and says, "When's it due?" When the instructor replies with the date, that student immediately discharges a horrified gasp and says, "That isn't enough time." And. The negotiations begin. Experienced instructors know the procedure at least as well as the class and after much class time consuming discussion a reasonable alternative is arrived at.

Right? OK. Here's today's news. You don't need more time. Really. You don't. Everyone has the same amount of time, everyone on Earth. Some people get it done early, some people right on time, some later and some never. And in the categories just mentioned it is usually the same people, ever notice?

This term, when the which ever assignment is assigned, figure on finishing it, completely, with in the time assigned. If that seems impossible you may have a scheduling issue or a priorities issue. If you do ask for some help. No, not more time, more time management. Many schools offer as part of a study skills curriculum, time management. It is useful, simple and can really help. If it seems that, for you, there is never enough time look into getting some scheduling help. A little planning (and of course actual execution of the tasks) can go a long way, no matter when the assignment is due.

Get Your Story Straight

Seth Godin, A former marketing major who has done pretty well in his career since leaving school, often has worthwhile things to say about, sales, markets, and life in general including at times student life.

One basic tenet of Seth's business philosophy says we are all marketers. Well, ok, wait, he says all marketers tell stories. That is, people who are hired to represent products or services or people compose a story about their subject, their employer. This story is of course intended to put the best face possible on the company or person they represent. If they do their job effectively, you, the intended audience or consumer, the market, respond appropriately. You consume their product, applaud their performance, follow their career, apply for their service. If the marketer does not tell an effective story or tell the story effectively, there is little, no or the "wrong" response and the marketer/storyteller looses his or her job or account or position. Simple.
Well, not real real simple but not toooo complicated either. Seth goes one better than the area of commerce. He says we are all marketers, storytellers about ourselves. Worth considering. Right now you are a student. That right there is a big part of your story. What is the story you are telling about your student self? Much of it is what you say or don't say but a much larger part is what you actually do about your student 'story', about your student life.

Are your actions coherent with your general story about your student life? Well, are they? You know, you really do. So, ok, student, what's your story?

We'reeee Baaaack!

Avenue Q is much praised and awarded Musical which has run both on and off Broadway for several seasons. It features puppets and 'real' characters who together explore the dilemma a recent college graduate faces after graduation. Avenue Q was composed by college graduates (so people do actually graduate.) In honor of your return after a much too short winter break here is one of the songs performed by the original cast, I Wish I Could Go Back To College.

The link is here