Internship Faire 2000 attracts students

With umbrellas in one hand, and resumes in the other, students tried to find themselves a future at Internship Faire 2000 Wednesday afternoon.

Heavy rain did not stop students and 32 of their prospective employers from attending the event, which was held in the University Student Union Multipurpose Room.

"It was very educational, and I'm hoping to find some sort of job in marketing," said freshman business major Ngoc Nguyen.  "There were many options to choose from, and I felt welcome by every company."

Internships are "paid part-time positions for students that are directly related to their program of studies," said the Career Development Center's acting director, Paul Fornell.

Some positions are voluntary, Fornell said, but most are paid. The center sponsors the event every March, he said.

Companies at the fair ranged from Toys R Us to the Orange County Probation Department.  Positions offered included volunteer coaching jobs at the Boys' and Girls' Club of San Pedro and peddling tropical getaways for the Marriott Vacation Club.

"You hear the chatter going on, and I like that," said Betty Schmicker-Black, career counselor at the center.  "Employers are making contact, students are here, it looks good."

Toys R Us national recruiting manager Pamela Compton said she is on the lookout for students to become store managers right out of college.

"The internship fair has a lot more benefits than before," Compton said. "It enables students to come aboard and bring us their skills.  It also enables us to be on the fast track."

New Line Cinema recruiter Ray Schneider said an internship can lead to top positions.

"Mike DeLuca was an intern at New Line at age 19," Schneider said.  "Now he's the president of our company."

Internships can also help students start political careers by working in Congress for a semester. The Washington Center awards students with academic credit and experience, said Rick Henry, program manager of the center's Mass Communications Program.

"I think, in general, internship fairs are great opportunities for students," Henry said. "It gives them plenty of options for careers that they are interested in."

Not all students were pleased with the companies represented at the fair, however.

"Although I think that the internship fair is a great idea, I was disappointed that no companies from my field were there," said junior Thuc Luu, a kinesiology and physical education major.