Waste of an internship?

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

<p>I'm a freshman in college and am already looking around a little for an internship this summer in my hometown, Nashville. I'm currently a journalism major (though that might change) and internships are really important to getting good jobs in journalism. </p>

<p>I know this may sound stupid, but I'm wondering if its almost like a "waste" of an internship if I don't get college credit. My school (Mizzou) is really good about offering credit hours for internships, but you have a bunch of prereqs that I won't have until second semester sophomore year, at the earliest. </p>

<p>The likelihood of finding a paid internship is very slim, so even though I would be gaining experience and knowledge, not to mention asserting whether I truly want to go into that business, I feel like its kind of a waste if I am not getting paid or any credit hours. I could be taking classes at community college this summer instead to get ahead and then be able to take an internship for college credit.</p>

<p>What do you think? Is it a good idea?</p>

2

<p>If you are going to take organic chemistry, sure take some classes (off the record) to prepare it (if you take it during the summer, med schools are going to look down upon it).</p>

<p>But if your school accepts college credits from other places, sure take classes and get ahead.</p>

<p>Don't do unpaid internships unless it's from a major investment bank or a Fortune 500 company. If you do internships for credit, you still have to pay your school for the credits accrued, so in a way, you're doing labor, paying for it... all for a recommendation and some job experience.</p>

<p>In my opinion, doing an internship that is paid, not for college credit is the best way to go (that's what I've done for 3 internships going on 4).</p>

<p>Summer classes have smaller class sizes and allow you to interact more. Just a thought.</p>