The average person has traditionally recognized spring as the bathing suit season, but for many college students it has become known as internship season.

As a result of the job market becoming more and more competitive for college graduates, some students are facing increased pressures to get internships not only earlier in their college careers, but to even start looking earlier during the school year.

SMU has acknowledged these pressures and the need for younger students to brace themselves and be educated about the internship process. The Hegi Family Career Development Center has counselors and workshops designed to specifically guide students through the steps of getting an internship and how to be a successful intern.

“Internships are the best way for a student to show that they are experienced and have first-hand knowledge in their field of work,” said Elke Arnold during a Summer Internship Information Session held in Hughes-Trigg on Wednesday at 1 p.m.

Arnold, an SMU career counselor, preached the importance of internships and the methods of networking to the few students who arrived for the meeting.

“I did not realize how important networking is in today’s society,” said senior Leyla Kafie. “I am going to begin to be more aware of the people I meet and how they may help further my career, whether it is through an internship or through a job.”

Networking is one of the many techniques in which students may use to get an internship that Arnold discussed during the meeting. Other techniques included students being aware of job postings in their field of work, corporate recruiting at job fairs that SMU hosts, and using MustangTrak, which is an online system where students send in their resumes for interested employers and look up internships available in the Dallas area.

Students can find internships that are paid or for academic credit during the school year or during summer. Arnold mentioned that any student who is overwhelmed or confused with the internship process can find guidance at the career center.

As finding an internship has become more competitive, with many companies not even posting internship information on their Web sites, networking had become more vital. Arnold advised students to be on the lookout all the time for potential opportunities to find an internship.

“No matter where you are going for spring break, remember that anyone you talk to could be a potential contact.”

For more information, e-mail Elke Arnold at [email protected].