Kelsey Chriss, a junior pre-med major at Southern Methodist University, completed an internship at Presbyterian Texas Health Resources in Dallas this past summer.

There, she shadowed doctors and nurses to get the experience she’ll need when she graduates.  She said she felt very privileged to receive the internship because she was not the only student competing for the same job in this bad economy.

“It is a very competitive process. You are not just out there fighting, there are others that are striving and fighting against an economy that is hitting companies hard,” Chriss said.

According to a survey taken in 2009 by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, companies that were hiring interns expected a 21 percent drop in  internships.

On the other hand, 79 percent of companies that participated in the survey said they would continue hiring the same number of interns.

Many employers also said they planned on increasing undergraduate level salaries by 4.9 percent.

The SMU Career Center offers guidance and encourages students in the development of skills necessary to be successful in their career. Darin Ford, director of the Hegi Family Career Development Center, said that having an internship is very important.   From an employer’s perspective, it communicates that the person has relevant experience.  

However, an internship helps students use their skills learned in class and apply that knowledge to a real world setting.

“An internship is like a vehicle to get the taste of what the real world is about,” Ford said.

The National Association of College Employers said employers reported that 36 percent of their new hires came from their internships.  Typically, if an employer knows the individual from his or her internship, the person usually has preference for the job.  

Sarah Jacob, director of Campus Recruiting University relations for KPMG Accounting Agency, said that while the economy is bad right now, her company is still hiring interns here in Dallas.

The KPMG Agency has always been competitive and in search of a high-performing employee base.

However, the company is not immune to economic difficulties.  The agency’s hiring budgets are at slightly reduced levels, resulting in fewer internships and a more competitive intern market for those available spots.

Jacob said for internship candidates to take a look at the U branding section created to help them. There, candidates create their own personal brand that focuses on highlighting skills and includes a tutorial of creating resumes. Individuals learn what to wear and eat with employers and the professional way of going about setting up their e-mail and voicemail.   

Although the economy is bad, “our company is only looking for the best of the best,” Jacob said.

Tiffany Dale is president and CEO of Tiffany Dale Public Relations Agency, a full-service Public Relations marketing firm.  She says that when her company is looking to hire an intern at the beginning of the year, they want the student to just be themselves.

Tiffany Dale Public Relations Agency has two office location when they hire interns: one in Forth Worth and one in Dallas.. The agency focuses on establishing clients as reputable businesses in the community.  This is  in order to increase the businesses’ revenues, and enhance customer and community loyalty by consistently delivering key messages through multiple vehicles. The majority of their company’s interns come from SMU and TCU.  

According to Dale, being genuine and showing your true personality is really what companies want to see when they are picking their interns.  

Companies want to know how candidates will be able to help contribute to their company.

 “Really have a good perspective of the internship. It should not be about the money; it should be how you can help make the company successful and how it will benefit you,” Dale said.

Individuals should take the initiative to ask questions and show that you are really interested by researching the company before your interview.  

“In doing this you will be prepared to learn the dynamics of how the business is run,” Dale said.

 This will give future employees the opportunity to learn how to be a team player, always remembering that you must stand out, excel and be noticed to achieve.

Jacob said that KPMG focuses on success-driven and high caliber people.  The company looks for well-rounded candidates with high performing skills in communication, technology and leadership.  

“Through communication, students should allow themselves to grow with their writing and oral skills,” Jacob said.   

Interns should allow themselves to have the opportunity to speak in front of organizations or in class.  People should work on their technology skills and make sure they are doing well in accounting and business classes.   

Those candidates that stick out dealing with leadership are the students who are full-time, work 15 hours or more, and are able to be a manager at their job.  Those students who step up and hold office in an organization on campus show that they can take the responsibility to lead.  

“When there are several candidates with strong qualities, it comes down to the small things that really set you apart from everyone else,” Dale said.

Internships can further a qualified person with college experience and at the same time give him or her a good view on the business world.

“I believe that this experience cannot be replaced and is a definite leg up on the competition for a job after graduation,” Chriss said.