Everyone is feeling the urge to go green. City dwellers are discovering new ways to cut costs, energy, and fuel emissions from their everyday lives. With gas prices constantly on the rise, and improving the environment a frequent thought, students in major cities successfully found the perfect transportation solutions.

The answer is city car sharing. Practically every major city in America operates a car sharing company. Each company pay for your all your insurance and gas, and the non-profit organizations don’t even require a signup fee. Carsharing.net provides a list where you can search for your cities car share provider.

Benefiting from this service is easy, cheap, and enjoyable. Some companies require you to be 21, but for others you only need to be 18 to apply. Signup is simple through the website, once you give your information and it takes about a day for a background check to clear before you are accepted. As a member you get an account name, used to reserve your choice of car and time of use. The bigger companies let you make reservations on your phone as well.

Once a member, the company will send you a card, or personal key, to unlock any car on the fleet. Just go to the pod containing the car you reserved, place your key over the sensor on the windshield, and the car unlocks. Inside the car is the key, a gas card, and manual. Now just enjoy your drive!

Look for student discounts too. Universities have programs for students to make public transportation safer and cheaper. Whether you frequent the bus, train, or subway, your school will probably provide cheap monthly or semester long passes. I purchased my TrailPass for the Septa Regional Rail from Temple University, and saved enough money to pay for all of my books.

The new popular transportation devices among students are bikes. If you can’t find your mountain bike from 7th grade in my garage at home, Craigslist.com provides any type of bike you could imagine at a cheap price. Most of the time you can find a bike close enough that you can ride it home after purchase.

So whether you’re looking for a new car, a cheap ticket on public transportation, or a vintage bike, your city is full of resources tailored to your needs. Start exploring cheaper, faster, and environmentally friendlier!

232 YEARS AND COUNTING:

Happy Birthday! If my math is correct the wonderful country we call home is now 232 years old. I hope the ceremonial BBQ’s and fireworks shows were enjoyable. Over the long weekend it was hard to escape the dilemmas that face our country. It seems around every turn there is another problem, albeit the economy, the Iraq situation, the Afghanistan situation, the Iran situation, the ‘every other country in the world hates us’ situation. After stewing over everything I finally came to one ultimate question that we really need to figure out: Who is best equipped to tackle these seemingly unmanageable problems? I know, you are probably sick of hearing about Obama vs. McCain, I know I am. There are new speculations of each candidate’s not-yet-determined running mate every day. It’s getting to the point that I feel any person with a shred of political savviness can give their two sense on the air. It’s all a bit confusing to tell you the truth. With so many stories about the candidates themselves it’s hard to figure out what is the truth and what is simply fiction.

It’s been almost eight years of good old G.W. and judging from his recent approval, or one could say ‘disapproval rating’, almost everyone feels like enough is enough. (CNN reported that Bush’s approval rating is the lowest in Modern History, standing at 28 percent.) Frankly, I just want someone in the most prestigious office in America that is able and willing to deal with the crap that America finds itself trudging in everyday, regardless of party affiliation. Naturally, the smart money would be put on the Democratic party to take back the White House. However, Obama just narrowly won his own parties nomination. The party split projects the feeling that it's almost impossible for the the Democrats to muster up enough votes to beat McCain.

Both candidates have their negatives, which the media and opposite party seem to harp on incessantly. People have been outraged regarding comments made by Obama about religion, guns, and anti-immigrant feelings. By that same token people, are weary of McCain’s campaign strategy. It is an understandable weariness. He is trying to distance himself from Bush but consistently seems to agree with moves that he has made and has him as a rather big campaign backer. It’s a known fact that voting for a President generally doesn’t come down to which candidate you like, it comes down to the lesser of two evils.

I’m not about to write about how great one man is and how awful another is because truthfully I don’t know enough about each man’s history to make that type of decision. But at the same time I have had a front row seat to the deterioration that our country has experienced for quite some time. Obviously trying to fix all our problems is not an overnight job. It will take a lot of time, most likely more than either candidate can spend in office, but any sort of improvement would be a welcomed change of pace.

So who really has a chance to win? That’s a rather loaded question, but that doesn’t mean that trying to figure it out is impossible. Obama’s biggest question is whether he can get the Clinton supporters to jump on his bandwagon. This requires him to be mindful of the Christian and women voters. McCain has two major things to try and figure out. One, distance himself from the Bush camp. That means that rumors of naming a Bush cabinet member as his running mate are bad. Two, he has to start appealing to the younger demographic which will ultimately decide this election. I understand it’s hard for a 71 year old to really know what the hot-button issues regarding 18-25 year-olds are, but he should try and figure it out. All in all it is going to be an interesting race. It’s still only the first quarter, we don’t know much about what type of President each would be or who the V.P. would be, but no matter which lesser evil wins the election later this year I guess we can all be certain that the winner will not be G.W.

WHERE HAS ALL THE MONEY GONE?

Everywhere you look these days it’s the same story. Revenue is on the decline across the board and penny-pinching is the new norm. Just last week Starbucks Coffee Co. announced that they are going to close 600 “underperforming stores”, and be more picky about opening new stores. Four major automotive companies have all seen sharp declines in their businesses and shareholders are feeling the heat. Chrysler sales decline leads the pack, falling nearly 30 percent from May to June, followed close by Ford, Toyota, and GM. That may seem astronomical, however those kind of numbers can’t hold a candle to the types of losses in the music industry.
Lets face it, everyone has an ipod, Apple Inc’s sales have reached around 100 million. It has completely transformed how and where people can listen to music. Walking across any college campus you’ll notice that the amount of kids that have the white earbuds hanging from their ears greatly outnumbers the amount that do not. Go to the gym and try to find someone working out without the assistance of a personal playlist. So how is it that music sales have declined dramatically in the last ten years?
About two months ago, the Philadelphia Inquirer ran a story on the music industry and the fact that the industry as a whole has lost 1.4 billion dollars in 2007 compared to the numbers generated only six and seven years prior. This prompted me to take a gander at the big picture and try to figure out where 1.4 billion dollars went. The highest selling album domestically of 2007 was Alicia Key’s ‘As I Am’, grossing a little more than 3 million copies in the United States edging out the High School Musical 2 Soundtrack for U.S. album sales during the fiscal year. In 1999, there were three albums that generated at least 13 million copies, five that generated at least 5 million in sales in only the United States. In 2000, there were four albums that sold at least 10 million copies. In 1997 and 1998 both years’ saw separate albums eclipse 20 million sales domestically. So in seven years where did people decide to go to get there music?
The easy answer is illegal downloading via the internet. But I didn’t think that really answered the question considering that Napster, the biggest pirated music file sharing system, was made in 1999. Sure, there are more peer-to-peer file sharing systems around today, but with increased federal policing on these sites and more pay to use sites popping up everyday, I naturally assumed that the numbers for the music industry would slowly climb back. For example, iTunes has made it incredibly easy to purchase music, movies, and video games that can then be synced to the player. However, according to the Wall Street Journal “CD sales still account for more than 85% of music sold” and still far eclipse the digital downloads “which were supposed to have been the industry’s salvation.”
Basically, I was wrong. Over one-billion, yes that is not a typo it’s billion, songs a month are traded on illegal file sharing networks according to BigChampagne LLC. Six years ago it was not uncommon for albums to sell 600,000 copies in their first week of release. Now albums that reach 65,000 copies in a week are number one. A number that would not have even put them in the Top 30 six years ago. Numbers are so bad that stores like Best Buy have started to cut down the floor space originally reserved for CD’s. So naturally we should all just go blame everyone who downloads music illegally and take away their computer, right? Well the argument is that bands make their money by touring. Ticket and merchandise sales help raise the numbers that are lacking from album sales. But if the sales continue to decline and more big time companies like Tower close down, will we see a decline in the amount of bands that make music, or in the production companies that release the music? There has to be a way to make a dent in the technology fueled downloading world that we now live in. Any Ideas?

A ‘HOW-TO’ ON GAINING EMPLOYMENT

WARNING! If you want to stay unemployed upon graduation then please, by all means, do not read the following.

Now, for those of us that enjoy the thought of moving out of our parents house before they leave us for the sunny beaches of Florida follow the one key formula to landing that first job once you finish school. It is as simple as one word, internship.

According to Vault.com many companies, including big names like Proctor and Gamble, are moving to a “promote-from-within policy where upwards of 80 percent of entry-level hires may have been interns with the company.” Elsewhere, the National Association of Colleges and Employers(NACE) recently released their 2008 Experiential Education Survey, which proclaims that acquiring employment from internships is at an all time high. According to the survey nearly 36 percent of all college graduates who received employment upon graduation were from internship programs, a number that is up six percent in two years.

Okay, so maybe the number 36 doesn’t particularly impress you. I understand, it’s only a little more than a third of the graduates from this year. That means you have a pretty good chance of looking to either your left or your right during the ceremony and realizing that only one of the three of you have a job thanks to an internship. However, 70 percent of students who participate in an internship program before they graduate are offered a full time job out of the experience. That number is up 13 percent in only 6 years and is projected to go up 3.7 percent in the next year. The statistics basically speak for themselves, getting an internship is extremely important.

There are several advantages for the company to work with interns. For example, companies don’t have to waste time teaching a new hire the ins and outs of the job, policies, procedures, responsibilities, etc. The intern is aware of the company format, so both parties know what to expect from each other. Also, it saves a ton of time when searching for a new entry level employee. When it comes to full time employment, experience helps A LOT. Experience helps tremendously, considering the people who decided that it’d be a good idea to hire you are most likely the same people that trained you. Who better to trust with training programs than yourself, right? At least that is what the higher-ups are thinking. That is all common sense, but the NACE survey dug deeper.

According to the survey, companies say that they have found that hiring interns from their own programs is a better decision in regards to retention rates. Former interns who worked to become full-time hires are more willing to stick around with a company. Retention rates are, in some cases, upwards of 48 percent higher with interns than with regular hires after five years on the job. Former interns, who transition into full time hires, become tremendous assets to the company. It’s easy to see the full circle of a successful internship.

Unfortunately, not every college student thinks ahead, and some don’t have the luxury of being able to take an internship opportunity due to a full-time job, a scholarship requirement, summer classes, the list can go on but you get the picture. I don’t mean to discourage that demographic, however the types of internships out there are vast and the time commitment for different positions is ever changing. Getting an internship is no longer just a summer fling. There are internships for every season with companies ranging from drama clubs to sports teams and everything in between. Overall, I think everyone can agree that an internship could be one of the most rewarding opportunities of your life. Most importantly, the biggest piece of advice that every literature outlet recommended is to ALWAYS try to do your best work. It may not seem like a big deal now, but when you are offered a job that can start your career, you can thank the work you did back when you were low person on the totem pole.

THE FIGHT IS HEATING UP: APPLE VS PC

So you are a college student, or soon to be college student, and you are in need of a new laptop computer to lug around from class to class. Decisions such as this one used to be cut and dry. Remember the “dude, you’re getting a Dell” ads? Going back just a few years, there were few decisions when it came to laptops, and not one of them was whether you wanted a Microsoft based product. It was basically a monopoly. Microsoft had such a stranglehold on the market that they could release a new version of Windows every year and declare everything else obsolete, but times are changing.

Mac’s are the new cool, according to college students in the 18-29 target market. They outsell everything else two-to-one on college campuses. Last quarter, Mac computer sales, which doesn’t include ipod and iphone, increased by 50 percent. Granted, their sales are still not as big as Microsoft computers, but the numbers are closer than they have ever been before. When I read these numbers I wonder if Microsoft is starting to feel the heat. Yes, I realize that Microsoft has about a bazillion dollars and can do almost anything, but they haven’t had to deal with a true competitor in quite some time.

Apple has done a very interesting job of climbing up the ladder. Apple is synonymous with one word, ‘ipod’. It is easy to say that the Apple ipod owns the music playing business, and the iphone is quickly becoming ‘the phone to have’, especially now that they are releasing their second generation 3-G model. Microsoft has countered with a variety of different mp3 players, centering on the ‘Zune’, and a merger with phone companies to put Windows 6.0 on certain phones. However, what they are lacking is a computer application like itunes to keep track of people’s music and video files and enable people to download new files.

Microsoft has looked to other things to continue their dominance on our technological hearts. In addition to computer sales, Microsoft pretty much owns the video game industry. The Xbox, built and owned by Microsoft, outsells Nintendo’s Wii and Sony’s Playstation and by anyone’s guess those numbers will not change.

I understand that it is hard to change over. After all, most of us own a computer with Windows, so starting from scratch with a new operating system can be a little scary. Last January, I went through this dilemma myself. Much of my school’s computing systems are Macs (not the university, but the journalism department) and I knew I needed a laptop in the near future. I had never really used a Mac, much less thought about purchasing one. However, after playing around on one for about an hour, I felt confident enough to know that I wouldn’t mind the switch. Leopard, Mac’s operating system, bills itself as more user friendly and has less problems than Window’s Vista. In my dealings with the two, I would have to agree.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my PC. I have never had any problems with the operating system and the only thing I had to deal with was a lack of hard drive space due to my extensive collection of music. So even as I sit here, typing away this entry on my Macbook, it is not as though I threw my PC in the trash. It’s sitting on my desk, still used regularly. However, by that same token, when it actually does die an untimely death I sincerely question whether I will want to purchase a PC that runs Windows Vista. Ultimately, you have to try both and see which one fits your life better. There are positives and negatives to Apple as well as Microsoft, but when it comes to college-aged students, it is easy to see which company is winning out. It will be interesting to see the next move in the Apple vs Microsoft duel.

Like most college students I am residing at home for the summer, once again living with my family and generally losing my mind due to that fact. The one good thing is that it is much cheaper than an apartment so I have found it much easier to save money, which is good because I desperately needed to find something to do while encased in suburbia. I was unsure as to what that ‘something’ was going to be until a video game, Grand Theft Auto IV, made 500 million dollars in one week. I was flabbergasted and decided to look into the game a little more. I own an Xbox 360 but don’t get to play video games to much anymore. It made me apprehensive to purchase any new games, however with every review of this game receiving 5 stars out of 5 and 98% ratings it was hard to resist.
I finally found the game after searching at three different stores. I rushed home and popped it into the Xbox. From the opening credits I was hooked. The detail that the developers took in creating the world of GTA IV is unprecedented, the graphics and seemingly life like actions are amazing, but what really makes this game great to play is the story line. I didn’t particularly grow up on video games, I was more of an outside kid addicted to playing sports, but since I discovered them I have seen my fair share of good and bad. There are good games, fun games, and games that have the ability to hold ones attention for a few hours, but GTA IV enthralls the player from the get go. When the end comes you almost don’t even realize it because you are lost in the world of the game. Naysayers have pointed out that the game is a little short, but that along with one or two other drawbacks can’t detract from its greatness. There are ridiculous amounts of multiplayer action to keep a person entertained instead of missions, so pretty much you could put this game into your console and never have to take it out, well until the console breaks from overuse.
Now I know what you are thinking, 23 year olds should probably not be spending a large amount of time playing video games considering that pesky little word ‘responsibility’ keeps popping up, but technically the game is marketed to the 17 and above crowd. It’s no secret the game is graphic. Guns, violence, beat downs with pipes, car chases, rocket launchers, hi-jacking everything from cars to helicopters, and so much more. Basically anything graphic and illegal you can think of the lead character can get himself into during the course of gameplay. That’s all fine and dandy, the only problem is that there is a large amount of kids playing this game. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not about to rip a kids video game out of his hand if he isn’t of age to go along with the “M” rating, but if 8 year olds are growing up playing such violent games it could have adverse affects on their psyche. I just hope people realize that.
Anyway, I don’t really think I need to clarify this, but I am going to give this game my 5 star stamp, which makes the grand total of 5 star reviews for GTA IV to an unbelievable 7 bazillion. (I don’t really know the exact number but I’m pretty sure that that number is actually unbelievable to most people.) Obviously a sixty dollar price tag is a bit steep and I don’t recommend running out to grab it for your cousins 12th birthday, but if you’re bored and happen to have a next-gen console you should not hesitate when it comes to this game. Get in your car, go to the store, buy the game, and enjoy.

Everyone goes to college for the same thing, to get a good job upon graduation. It sounds so simple and direct but sometimes the journey takes tons of u-turns, detours, and wrong ways. So what truly is the best way to figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life and, more importantly, what you don't want to be stuck doing. It's that pesky little thing that everyone will always ask about during your college career, an internship. It'd be nice if the entire process of finding one came with a turn-by-turn direction GPS system, but unfortunately this decision must be made based purely on human feelings. Sure, there are different types; some are paid, some are unpaid, some involve as little work as getting the coffee for whomever it is you're working for, and others can absorb your entire summer with multiple responsibilities. Obviously the latter will give you a better opportunity to figure out whether or not the direction you think you would like to go in is actually a correct turn, well unless you really want to become a barista at the local starbucks.

The burning question that everyone wants to know is how to get one. It'd be awesome if I had the ultimate answer to that one. There isn't a golden cheat sheet that everyone can look at and magically internships will fall into his or her lap. But there are some things you can do that will better your chances. Have a professional resume, with some interesting eye catching flair so it doesn't get lost in the pile. Be on time to your interview; a little early never hurt anyone by the way. Look professional, try and figure out what the attire of the office is before you have your interview. Showing some interest in trying to fit in with the rest of the crew at the office sends a good message. Most importantly, be confident, comfortable, and thorough. Talking yourself up always sounds like a genius move, but it could also come back to bite you. Concentrate on what you do well instead of hounding on the negatives, but have the understanding that what you're about to get into is not going to be as easy as you would like to believe. The best thing you can do is try and anticipate what types of questions the interviewer is going to ask and try and have some answers worked out in your head. Don't write down specific answers and practice them in front of the mirror, it sounds rehearsed and may not exactly cover the question correctly.

It's no secret that an internship does wonders for a student. Enhancing a resume, gaining experience, starting a relationship with a company that could lead to a full time position all sound fantastic, especially with the ever depleting job market and ever worsening economy in this country. But most importantly it shows people that you did more in college than drink beer and sleep through class. It gives the impression that you actually are interested in what you're studying. Last time I checked it is much easier to get a job when the person you are about to sit down with is already impressed before you open your mouth.

I guess the major question you have to ask yourself in regards to the whole 'internship thing' is how much work do you want to do this summer? It's easy to sit on your rear-end, maybe picking up a serving job at the local restaurant or becoming a cashier at the Gap so that you can go to the beach on your 'off' days which for some reason are more frequent than your 'on' days, but neither of those or anything related to those are going to improve your ability to further your career. Throwing away a summer at the beach sounds awesome, until the time comes for you to graduate and the only thing you can write on your resume is your ability to decipher what SPF sunscreen gives you a better tan. Besides, an internship won't take away your entire life, by all accounts you will most likely still have a weekend.

Everyone goes to college for the same thing, to get a good job upon graduation. It sounds so simple and direct but sometimes the journey takes tons of u-turns, detours, and wrong ways. So what truly is the best way to figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life and, more importantly, what you don't want to be stuck doing. It's that pesky little thing that everyone will always ask about during your college career, an internship. It'd be nice if the entire process of finding one came with a turn-by-turn direction GPS system, but unfortunately this decision must be made based purely on human feelings. Sure, there are different types; some are paid, some are unpaid, some involve as little work as getting the coffee for whomever it is you're working for, and others can absorb your entire summer with multiple responsibilities. Obviously the latter will give you a better opportunity to figure out whether or not the direction you think you would like to go in is actually a correct turn, well unless you really want to become a barista at the local starbucks.

The burning question that everyone wants to know is how to get one. It would be awesome if I had the ultimate answer to that one. There isn't a golden cheat sheet that everyone can look at and magically internships will fall into his or her lap. But there are some things you can do that will better your chances. Have a professional resume, with some interesting eye catching flair so it doesn't get lost in the pile. Be on time to your interview; a little early never hurt anyone by the way. Look professional, try and figure out what the attire of the office is before you have your interview. Showing some interest in trying to fit in with the rest of the crew at the office sends a good message. Most importantly, be confident, comfortable, and thorough. Talking yourself up always sounds like a genius move, but it could also come back to bite you. Concentrate on what you do well instead of hounding on the negatives, but have the understanding that what you're about to get into is not going to be as easy as you would like to believe. The best thing you can do is try and anticipate what types of questions the interviewer is going to ask and try and have some answers worked out in your head. Don't write down specific answers and practice them in front of the mirror, it sounds rehearsed and may not exactly cover the question correctly.

It's no secret that an internship does wonders for a student. Enhancing a resume, gaining experience, starting a relationship with a company that could lead to a full time position all sound fantastic, especially with the ever depleting job market and ever worsening economy in this country. But most importantly it shows people that you did more in college than drink beer and sleep through class. It gives the impression that you actually are interested in what you're studying. Last time I checked it is much easier to get a job when the person you are about to sit down with is already impressed before you open your mouth.

I guess the major question you have to ask yourself in regards to the whole 'internship thing' is how much work do you want to do this summer? It's easy to sit on your rear-end, maybe picking up a serving job at the local restaurant or becoming a cashier at the Gap so that you can go to the beach on your 'off' days which for some reason are more frequent than your 'on' days, but neither of those or anything related to those are going to improve your ability to further your career. Throwing away a summer at the beach sounds awesome, until the time comes for you to graduate and the only thing you can write on your resume is your ability to decipher what SPF sunscreen gives you a better tan. Besides, an internship won't take away your entire life, by all accounts you will most likely still have a weekend.

Everyone goes to college for the same thing, to get a good job upon graduation. It sounds so simple and direct but sometimes the journey takes tons of u-turns, detours, and wrong ways. So what truly is the best way to figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life and, more importantly, what you don't want to be stuck doing. It's that pesky little thing that everyone will always ask about during your college career, an internship. It'd be nice if the entire process of finding one came with a turn-by-turn direction GPS system, but unfortunately this decision must be made based purely on human feelings. Sure, there are different types; some are paid, some are unpaid, some involve as little work as getting the coffee for whomever it is you're working for, and others can absorb your entire summer with multiple responsibilities. Obviously the latter will give you a better opportunity to figure out whether or not the direction you think you would like to go in is actually a correct turn, well unless you really want to become a barista at the local starbucks.

The burning question that everyone wants to know is how to get one. It would be awesome if I had the ultimate answer to that one. There isn't a golden cheat sheet that everyone can look at and magically internships will fall into his or her lap. But there are some things you can do that will better your chances. Have a professional resume, with some interesting eye catching flair so it doesn't get lost in the pile. Be on time to your interview; a little early never hurt anyone by the way. Look professional, try and figure out what the attire of the office is before you have your interview. Showing some interest in trying to fit in with the rest of the crew at the office sends a good message. Most importantly, be confident, comfortable, and thorough. Talking yourself up always sounds like a genius move, but it could also come back to bite you. Concentrate on what you do well instead of hounding on the negatives, but have the understanding that what you're about to get into is not going to be as easy as you would like to believe. The best thing you can do is try and anticipate what types of questions the interviewer is going to ask and try and have some answers worked out in your head. Don't write down specific answers and practice them in front of the mirror, it sounds rehearsed and may not exactly cover the question correctly.

It's no secret that an internship does wonders for a student. Enhancing a resume, gaining experience, starting a relationship with a company that could lead to a full time position all sound fantastic, especially with the ever depleting job market and ever worsening economy in this country. But most importantly it shows people that you did more in college than drink beer and sleep through class. It gives the impression that you actually are interested in what you're studying. Last time I checked it is much easier to get a job when the person you are about to sit down with is already impressed before you open your mouth.

I guess the major question you have to ask yourself in regards to the whole 'internship thing' is how much work do you want to do this summer? It's easy to sit on your rear-end, maybe picking up a serving job at the local restaurant or becoming a cashier at the Gap so that you can go to the beach on your 'off' days which for some reason are more frequent than your 'on' days, but neither of those or anything related to those are going to improve your ability to further your career. Throwing away a summer at the beach sounds awesome, until the time comes for you to graduate and the only thing you can write on your resume is your ability to decipher what SPF sunscreen gives you a better tan. Besides, an internship won't take away your entire life, by all accounts you will most likely still have a weekend.

Everyone goes to college for the same thing, to get a good job upon graduation. It sounds so simple and direct but sometimes the journey takes tons of u-turns, detours, and wrong ways. So what truly is the best way to figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life and, more importantly, what you don't want to be stuck doing. It's that pesky little thing that everyone will always ask about during your college career, an internship. It'd be nice if the entire process of finding one came with a turn-by-turn direction GPS system, but unfortunately this decision must be made based purely on human feelings. Sure, there are different types; some are paid, some are unpaid, some involve as little work as getting the coffee for whomever it is you're working for, and others can absorb your entire summer with multiple responsibilities. Obviously the latter will give you a better opportunity to figure out whether or not the direction you think you would like to go in is actually a correct turn, well unless you really want to become a barista at the local starbucks.

The burning question that everyone wants to know is how to get one. It would be awesome if I had the ultimate answer to that one. There isn't a golden cheat sheet that everyone can look at and magically internships will fall into his or her lap. But there are some things you can do that will better your chances. Have a professional resume, with some interesting eye catching flair so it doesn't get lost in the pile. Be on time to your interview; a little early never hurt anyone by the way. Look professional, try and figure out what the attire of the office is before you have your interview. Showing some interest in trying to fit in with the rest of the crew at the office sends a good message. Most importantly, be confident, comfortable, and thorough. Talking yourself up always sounds like a genius move, but it could also come back to bite you. Concentrate on what you do well instead of hounding on the negatives, but have the understanding that what you're about to get into is not going to be as easy as you would like to believe. The best thing you can do is try and anticipate what types of questions the interviewer is going to ask and try and have some answers worked out in your head. Don't write down specific answers and practice them in front of the mirror, it sounds rehearsed and may not exactly cover the question correctly.

It's no secret that an internship does wonders for a student. Enhancing a resume, gaining experience, starting a relationship with a company that could lead to a full time position all sound fantastic, especially with the ever depleting job market and ever worsening economy in this country. But most importantly it shows people that you did more in college than drink beer and sleep through class. It gives the impression that you actually are interested in what you're studying. Last time I checked it is much easier to get a job when the person you are about to sit down with is already impressed before you open your mouth.

I guess the major question you have to ask yourself in regards to the whole 'internship thing' is how much work do you want to do this summer? It's easy to sit on your rear-end, maybe picking up a serving job at the local restaurant or becoming a cashier at the Gap so that you can go to the beach on your 'off' days which for some reason are more frequent than your 'on' days, but neither of those or anything related to those are going to improve your ability to further your career. Throwing away a summer at the beach sounds awesome, until the time comes for you to graduate and the only thing you can write on your resume is your ability to decipher what SPF sunscreen gives you a better tan. Besides, an internship won't take away your entire life, by all accounts you will most likely still have a weekend.

Everyone goes to college for the same thing, to get a good job upon graduation. It sounds so simple and direct but sometimes the journey takes tons of u-turns, detours, and wrong ways. So what truly is the best way to figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life and, more importantly, what you don't want to be stuck doing. It's that pesky little thing that everyone will always ask about during your college career, an internship. It'd be nice if the entire process of finding one came with a turn-by-turn direction GPS system, but unfortunately this decision must be made based purely on human feelings. Sure, there are different types; some are paid, some are unpaid, some involve as little work as getting the coffee for whomever it is you're working for, and others can absorb your entire summer with multiple responsibilities. Obviously the latter will give you a better opportunity to figure out whether or not the direction you think you would like to go in is actually a correct turn, well unless you really want to become a barista at the local starbucks.

The burning question that everyone wants to know is how to get one. It would be awesome if I had the ultimate answer to that one. There isn't a golden cheat sheet that everyone can look at and magically internships will fall into his or her lap. But there are some things you can do that will better your chances. Have a professional resume, with some interesting eye catching flair so it doesn't get lost in the pile. Be on time to your interview; a little early never hurt anyone by the way. Look professional, try and figure out what the attire of the office is before you have your interview. Showing some interest in trying to fit in with the rest of the crew at the office sends a good message. Most importantly, be confident, comfortable, and thorough. Talking yourself up always sounds like a genius move, but it could also come back to bite you. Concentrate on what you do well instead of hounding on the negatives, but have the understanding that what you're about to get into is not going to be as easy as you would like to believe. The best thing you can do is try and anticipate what types of questions the interviewer is going to ask and try and have some answers worked out in your head. Don't write down specific answers and practice them in front of the mirror, it sounds rehearsed and may not exactly cover the question correctly.

It's no secret that an internship does wonders for a student. Enhancing a resume, gaining experience, starting a relationship with a company that could lead to a full time position all sound fantastic, especially with the ever depleting job market and ever worsening economy in this country. But most importantly it shows people that you did more in college than drink beer and sleep through class. It gives the impression that you actually are interested in what you're studying. Last time I checked it is much easier to get a job when the person you are about to sit down with is already impressed before you open your mouth.

I guess the major question you have to ask yourself in regards to the whole 'internship thing' is how much work do you want to do this summer? It's easy to sit on your rear-end, maybe picking up a serving job at the local restaurant or becoming a cashier at the Gap so that you can go to the beach on your 'off' days which for some reason are more frequent than your 'on' days, but neither of those or anything related to those are going to improve your ability to further your career. Throwing away a summer at the beach sounds awesome, until the time comes for you to graduate and the only thing you can write on your resume is your ability to decipher what SPF sunscreen gives you a better tan. Besides, an internship won't take away your entire life, by all accounts you will most likely still have a weekend.

Trends like skinny jeans, tall boots and shirts with ambiguous phrases, it's easy to forget what is acceptable in the workplace. Making the right first impression is vital, because it only takes six seconds for someone to make a judgment about a person. During those six seconds, an employer can decide whether or not you will fit in with the company culture and represent them well. Women and men have different guidelines to follow with clothing, but knowing the proper attire is a universal skill.

Dressing professionally does not mean women have to hang up their personality. Cropped jackets and high wasted pants with thick belts are trendy statements for the office; however, a mini skirt and visible tattoos will not project the right image. Colors are a great way to express individuality in solid patterns, but try to avoid loud colors like hot pink or bright orange. When accessorizing a suit in a solid print, bracelets and earrings are a great way to jazz up a dull outfit, but avoid overpowering gems or bangles and necklaces that clank so loud that a co-worker can hear you coming down the hallway. Once the outfit is complete, shoes are the finishing touch. Steer clear of open toes, straps and chunky heels. A shoe should be classic and not overpower the rest of the outfit.

Men have different rules to follow, but the end result is the same, a polished look that will make a great first impression. First, that long beard with the shaggy hair cut needs to be trimmed for a well-groomed appearance. Avoid heavy cologne and make sure a belt keeps your pants above the waist. Like the women, cover all visible tattoos and know that dressing professionally can be stylish. Designers tailor suits to men's styles and needs, so make sure that the suit is a solid print that fits properly. The sleeves should not be too long or too short, and the shirt should be a darker color. Ties should be conservative with no flashy patterns or prints, so save the singing tie for the holiday party. Finally, never wear white socks with a suit. The sock color should compliment the color of the suit.

With these guidelines, you should make a first impression that is sure to make an impact on the employer. Six seconds are all it takes to make a decision about you, so make those six seconds work in your favor. While these are merely guidelines, different corporate cultures may dress different ways or have different standards, so assess the dress code properly and dress to impress.

As a current student at Drexel University, I have had the pleasure of gaining field experience during my past four years. The value of an internship extends far beyond a few words on a resume or a couple of bucks in your pocket. Internships augment the learning experience for a student that broadens knowledge beyond the classroom. During an internship, lessons are taught without even realizing it, such as showing up to work on time, creating rapport with co-workers, establishing relationships with clients, taking constructive criticism, dressing properly and managing time properly. While finding the perfect internship opportunity can be difficult, the experiences learned during that time will prove to be priceless.

One of my most memorable internship opportunities was with the Philadelphia Soul in the communications department. I found the internship by going to the team's website and sent my resume and cover letter to the Director of Communications with little expectations. Within two days he had called me in for an interview, and I was offered the job two days later. Emotions ranging from anxious to excitement filled me as I walked up to the gorgeous glass office building in the heart of Center City Philadelphia for work. From day one I had made an instant group of friends that I keep in contact to this day.

During my time in the communications department, the most valuable lesson learned was how to properly take criticism in regards to my writing. I had to take what was said about my writing and work it into my personal style. I also learned how to maintain relationships with media and co-workers for the most productive use of time. I was able to do so in such a manner that I consider my former co-workers to be great friends, excellent references and positive contacts for future opportunities. An internship is what you make of it, but with the right attitude and the drive to succeed, an internship can be the best opportunity during your college career.