Degree= Internship?

Well thanks CNN. Your incredibly depressing article "Is an Internship the New Entry Level Job" about the plight of 20-somethings in the job market actually makes me feel better about my current work situation!

I don't think that was the point of this article, but hey I'll take it!

Really though, it's pretty dismal.

According to the report,

Full-time employment has dropped 9 percentage points among 18-to-29-year-olds since 2006, leaving only 41 percent of millennials with full-time jobs, according to "Millennials: A Portrait of Generation Next," a report released by Pew Research Center in February.

In addition to feeling really aggravated anytime someone uses the term Millennial (which I find a particularly stupid sounding name), I also feel pretty sad that so many people are spending a lot of time and money for an undergraduate degree that leaves them with...an internship! 

I also have to wonder if calling internship the new entry level makes sense.

Do employers really consider an internship a type of entry level position?

I'm really not so sure they do, especially after being told in a meeting recently that the title of "intern" is a resume killer. Is that true across the board, who knows? Might it be true in some fields or for some hiring managers, probably?

So really, is an internship the way to go?
Or is it better to volunteer in the field in which you want to be employed and take a day job to pay the bills?

Passion vs. Prudence : Job Hunting in 2009

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As most of you know, I am currently interning at two very different organizations while I complete my masters degree. Both of my supervisors have offered each position until May, and I accepted their offers. One job is with a large government agency, and the other is with a small non-profit.

Although I have really enjoyed the networking and the experience of working in such a large agency over the past 8 months, I am not sure that I would want to remain in this type of position indefinitely. The level of bureaucracy can be totally overwhelming, and I have found it difficult to maintain my composure when I see so much money being wasted when there is so much need in this city.

I feel like I can be more creative at my non-profit position, and that I am able to contribute in a more tangible manner to both the organization and the cause. Although I have been there less time, I feel equally or perhaps even more comfortable with the staff and office space.

I have been really transparent with both of my supervisors throughout this internship process about my desire to transition into a full time job either before or around May (when I graduate). Both have indicated that they will help me identify and pursue positions, although nothing concrete has appeared.
The small non-profit, however, just posted that they are hiring a new full-time staff member.

I knew that this was likely to happen in the next few days, and I had already indicated potential interest to the executive director.

After reading the job description I am torn.

I think I would really enjoy the responsibilities of this position. It is a training and outreach position, and would require a good bit of organizational skills and interaction with community stakeholders in various projects. Although I would likely have to learn more about some of these programs, I think I could do a good job.

If I were to transition into this position, however, I would probably have to put aside all of my current projects. I am sure that someone could take over my responsibilities, but I have become really invested in my work. I know that the organization with like to eventually create a position that might encompass some of these projects, but it’s likely to take months to figure out—and will probably only be ½ or ¾ time.

I also do not want the non-profit staff/director to think that I am applying for this job simply because it’s available and I want something full-time. Although I have been very transparent about my desire for something permanent in New York, I would not submit an application if I did not think I could do a good job or if I were uninterested in the work.

I also do not want to lose out on the opportunity to (potentially) continue with my current work and finish all of my projects.

Is it smarter to try something new and appreciate the security?

Or better to hold out and see what happens?

Patience is not one of my (many!) virtues, but presenting myself as a candidate for this position while already an intern is not without risks. If they decide to hire someone else for the training job, I wonder if they will even consider me as a good candidate for other jobs. If I chose not to pursue this opportunity, am I kind of shooting myself in the foot due to some potentially unfounded concerns?

Is it worse to look overeager for any full-time work or to seem inflexible about open positions?

Lots to think about!

I wish Ellen could sit near me and sing "just keep swimming" all day in Dory voice..

Sorry for the random Finding Nemo related title!

Anyway, here's my life/job update

Previous:
Applied to
2 Fall Internship
8 Full time jobs

Received
1 Internship Interview Request (scheduled for next week)

New:

Applied to:
2 Fall Internships
9 Full time Jobs

Received
1 Internship Request
1 60% job interview request

The 60% job interview means that I would work 3 days a week for a set salary. I'm not sure how I feel about this type of arrangement, but at this point, I am not turning down ANY interview requests.

Job Hunt #2

My current situation seems familiar somehow.
I’m finishing up a degree, I have an internship, and I need a full-time job.

It’s a little frustrating to feel like I’m in the same place I was 2 years ago.
I know that it’s not actually true—I’m in a bigger city & I’ll have an advanced degree this time around..but the mild panic sure feels the same!

I was also so lucky last time around.
B & A from Faith Aloud let me stay as an extended intern.
Then they wrote grants—more than 1—to keep me at the organization as a staff member.

While I believe I have created a good working relationship with my current supervisor, I don’t really see him trawling through his health contacts to find me a position.
He does bring me to meetings (where I shamelessly network and self-promote), but it’s kind of haphazard.

So, in an effort to not lose hope (I will find a job, I will find a job, I will find a job..) I decided to track my progress!

Thus far I’ve applied to a mixture of both internships and jobs. I figure an internship is a good start, or may provide me the opportunity to transition.

So far I’ve:

Applied to
2 Fall Internship Sites
8 Full time jobs applications

Received
1 Internship Interview Request (scheduled for next week)