By Baylee Pulliam

Like so many University of Louisville students, Jessica Ferrell feels a bit overwhelmed by the thought of an internship.
“I know I probably need to start thinking about internships,” said Ferrell, a sophomore psychology major. “But I really just don’t know where to start.”
Across U of L’s campus, there are many other students who find themselves in the same boat. While finding and applying for internships may be stressful, experts say internships can be crucial to finding a job after college.
A recent study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that less than 20 percent of 2009 college graduates who applied for a job actually have one. However, according to NACE, college graduates who had internships fared “far better” than their classmates who did not have internships.
Leslye Erickson, director of the U of L Career Development Center, said there are a few things students can do to improve their chances of landing an internship. She said students should begin thinking about internships well in advance.
“I always say that you can never start too early,” said Erickson. “There’s so much to do. If you wait too long, there’s no possible way to get it all done.”
Erickson recommends that students begin thinking about it as early as their freshman year. In their sophomore year, she believes they should start applying. Web sites like internships.com and U of L’s Simplicity for Students page on the Career Development Center site provide a list of available internships and job opportunities. Erickson suggests that students participate in internships in their junior or senior years.
Greater Louisville Inc. created a Web site this year designed to connect college students with Louisville-area employers who are looking for interns. The site, interntoearn.com, currently has about 50 openings. Myra Campbell, program coordinator for Intern to Earn, said they are continually adding more.
“Students have said that [interntoearn.com] is very easy to navigate,” said Campbell. “You can easily view the information without giving any personal information.”
Campbell said she thinks internships are an important opportunity for students to gain experience and build their résumés, while employers try out potential full-time employees.
Ben Siegel, a senior mechanical engineering major who has had an internship, recommends interning during the summer.
“It’s a great time because that’s when a lot of companies are looking for co-ops or interns,” said Siegel.
Students stand a better chance of getting an internship through the people they know. Erickson said this is a key step for students trying to get ahead in a competitive job market.
“Networking is maybe the most important thing in finding an internship,” said Erickson. “The problem is that most students are afraid.”
Reach out to “professors, alumni and peers,” said Erickson. While family connections are a good start, she advised that students not limit themselves to these connections.
Bridget Quitter, a sophomore political science major, can attest to the value of networking.
 “Ask other students or professors if they know of any internships,” said Quitter. She learned about her internship through a professor.
Networking, said Erickson, can reveal the “hidden job market.” In today’s economy, students will have to aggressively seek out internships. Students who make the most of their connections will be at an advantage.
Social networking Web sites can be important for students looking for internships as well. Linkedin.com allows users to post résumés and achievements on their profiles, while networking with other users. However, an unprofessional Facebook profile could disqualify some students from landing a position or could hurt those who already have internships.
“You have to be careful on Facebook,” Erickson said. “People have gotten in a lot of trouble with their employers for things they’ve posted. Just be aware that someone might be looking at your site.”
In the end, the most persistent students may have the best chances at getting an internship. And Erickson said students have to be willing to travel.
“It will be easier to locate internships in your area,” said Erikson. “But sometimes the market for your field is elsewhere.”
Sometimes a short travel can have its benefits.
Quitter’s internship is with the Kentucky state government and only requires her to travel to Frankfort. She said her internship provides “a stipend for travel to and from the capitol.”
Although students like Siegel and Quitter have found ways to navigate the internship market on their own, there is no shame in asking for help. For students like Ferrell, the Career Development Center, located in the basement of the Houchens Building, can provide the guidance they need.