On Thursday, Feb. 16, the Career Development Center at FAU’s Davie campus hosted the second seminar in a series entitled Internships: the key to your next job. It was presented by Carl Edgecombe and Oral Waldo. Internships serve several purposes. They help students obtain practical experience in their field of study as well as provide opportunities to establish contacts. Employers usually look for college graduates who have completed an internship because of the experience these individuals have as opposed to a graduate with no internship experience. Some things to keep in mind, regarding the timing of the internships and when they should be completed, include that internships are most effective if they are completed during the summer of a student’s sophomore year. An internship should last at least 10 weeks, and this may vary according to college or university requirements. One of the steps to acquiring an internship is discussing career goals with an academic adviser. Planning the internship as well as benefits, preparing a list of training desired, and get leads on internship positions and contacts should be included in the discussion. A student can also visit the career center of their university for guidance and additional help. Internships involve three parties: the student, the institution, and the employer. The student can play different roles including expressing interest and planning their area of study, attending an information session or advisory meeting, and drafting a resume cover letter. The university can help a student obtain an internship by identifying the employer, advertising internship positions, advising prospective candidates, and acting as a liaison between the student and employer. Interested parties, such as employers, can provide hands-on learning opportunities, which may be research-based or preparation for the work force, and employers may or may not offer a student a salary, depending on the internship and company. In order for a student to find their ideal intern experience, they should utilize career center services and job fairs, as well as networking, professors, Internet, and conferences.