For many GW students, having an internship has become an essential part of college life. Over 80 percent of GW students intern by the time they graduate.

The majority of internships for undergraduates are summer experiences, but GW students are able to take advantage of internships during the school year. This allows them to enter the workforce a step ahead of the competition. Shelly Jain, a sophomore majoring in political communications, interning at the Republican National Committee said, “Almost all the other interns in my office are older than me if not college graduates. It feels good to know that I’m starting now.”

Although some internship positions are paid, most are not but this does not stop students. Michelle Brenan, a sophomore majoring in international affairs, interns at Speaker Denis Hastert’s office. “The fact that I like what I am doing helps me forget the fact that I’m not getting paid, otherwise working 20 hours a week for free might make me sick,” she said.

Mallory Kirsh, sophomore and international affairs major, interns for the Department of Commerce and also does not mind being unpaid. Kirsh values the learning experience and said “Interning gives me a realistic view of what I might actually be doing after graduation. I’d rather do this and realize I hate it now then make that mistake somewhere down the line when it matters.”

While paid internships are harder to come by, many GW students are able to get them. Russ Tanguay, a junior majoring in criminal justice, currently interns at the Department of Justice. “Getting paid is definitely a plus, but I started at the bottom like everybody else,” he said. Many students hold a few unpaid internships in order to build their resumes before getting a paid position.

Paid and unpaid internships have drawbacks. Students often end up doing mundane and tedious work. David Sagalov, a sophomore who interns on Capitol Hill said “It’s a ridiculous amount of paper pushing and busy work but everyone has to start somewhere.”

Even when performing this type of work, students often benefit in other ways by earning credit, developing a network of contacts, increasing their marketability and even an entrée to a permanent job after graduation.

Sophomore political science major, Dan Secatore plans to intern before he graduates. “It’s definitely something I want to do, but there’s no rush, I know that when I want one there won’t be a problem getting one, that’s why I came to school in D.C.,” he said.

The opportunities are certainly available for any GW student who wishes to get an internship. Alissa Turnispeed who works at the career center on campus speaks to students about internship possibilities. “It’s never too late or too early to start looking.” she said.

While Turnispeed says GWork, the university’s online database of jobs works best, the career center can help by reviewing resumes, doing mock interviews, drop-in counseling sessions and providing several other resources. GW is sponsoring an internship fair on Oct 19. at 7 p.m. in the Marvin Center Grand Ballroom for interested students.