It's that time of year again. As the icy wind blows at students' backs, undergraduates — casting an eye toward warmer weather — are searching for summer internships.
However, with the economy at a low this year, students are less certain that they will find a position.
A number of companies that used to offer several internship spots to college juniors have cut or scaled back their programs.
"There is no doubt that the troublesome state of the economy has been a critical issue since last spring and as a result, many organizations have scaled back their recruiting efforts," said Beverly Hamilton-Chandler, director of career services.
"Some organizations, prominently those in the financial and consulting [fields], are choosing to make fewer positions available."
Hamilton-Chandler distinguished, however between a hiring decline and a hiring freeze.
"This should not be interpreted as no one is hiring because that is not the case," Hamilton-Chandler said.
Hamilton-Chandler said she expects the time frame for finding jobs to be similar to last year's, leading the majority of students to secure placements by April.
But in consulting and investment banking, undergraduates have already encountered disappointment.
"While Woodrow Wilson School students are usually highly sought after, this year I, and a lot of other kids, in my department have already had a lot of trouble getting interviews," said Rob Richardson '03 who applied to three consulting jobs.
But while financial internships have become more competitive, Hamilton-Chandler said it is premature to predict the overall outcome of the summer internship search.
"It is still too early to say that students won't find internships or jobs," Hamilton-Chandler said. "Whether one is looking for a full-time position or a summer internship, there is a need for flexibility in the choice of position."
She added that students could increase their chances of finding an internship by looking at a wide range of options.
"We would always suggest that students look broadly for positions that will enable them to enhance their skills and pursue an area of interest to them," she said.
Hamilton-Chandler also suggested that students consider not only formal internship programs, but also organizations without any set deadlines that are anxious to review applications.
While some students have become discouraged by the results of their summer job searches, others interviewed this week said they have become even more determined.
"The economy has been blamed for everything," said Alex Haislip '03, an economics major. "Employers are not going to be beating down anyone's door," she said. "Juniors and seniors will be hired, but they're going to have to work harder to prove their worth."
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