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Internships in the 21st Century: “Driven by Technological Advancements”
With the turn of the century, the most recognizable change in the way many jobs and internships operate is the integration of computer technology in every aspect: from searching for job openings, applying online, social and professional networking, traveling and re-locating, and working with computers. The shift from ‘apprenticeship’ to ‘intern’ signifies a change in the way people prioritize post-secondary education and a ‘test out’ a new career before entering the field. Technology has motivated this shift, with computer-oriented methods of internship recruitment, more varied internship locations, higher demand for low-cost labor, and prominence of on-line networking. All of these changes signify the movement towards the internships we are familiar with today.
INTRODUCTION: The Significance of an Internship
In the past two decades, employment in the professional world has evolved significantly alongside technological advancements. The present day technology demands a new work force: interns. Interns are a novelty to the professional world, and have given rise to modern day internships in the 21st century.
An internship is a kind of work experience where the basic objective is learning, not money making. Internships are popular among college students because they offer many advantages and great work experience. First, an internship can offer a realistic preview and a means to compare top career choices for students who are debating on what career to choose. It can be one of the easiest ways to determine if a certain field is right for them. Through interning, students get to know their strengths and weaknesses, which will let them understand their inner abilities. Thus, it would help in choosing their future field of work before it is too late.
Internships not only help a student to self-analyze, but they can also help students become more professional and prepared for the professional world. Even though they might not be doing something related to their majors, students get insight and feedback on what it takes to be successful in the real world. In this way, internships are also a way of exposure to professionalism. Students can attain professional maturity and learn responsibility through interning. Interns get a feeling of professional etiquette and how to speak in the professional world, something that cannot be learned and experienced in the classroom. For an inexperienced student getting ready to face the world, he or she can build confidence by interning. Many students are anxious during interviews or become nervous at the work on the first day because it is their first time attempting professional tasks. However, through internships, students can build and increase their confidence through exposure to the environment they will eventually face in the future (1).
The most common advantage of taking an internship is, of course, increasing the chance of getting a job by having work experience and standing out among other applicants. Now, with so many competitive applicants applying for one position, more employers are expecting internships on resumes. Having internship experience lets employers know that the applicant has been exposed to the field, and also shows how interested he or she is in the job. With this reason, there is a higher chance of employers offering a permanent job to an intern than to someone who is completely new and inexperienced.
Finally, interning gives students networking opportunities allowing them to build a network of contacts within a career field or industry. Internships are a great way to meet people in your field. Even if you have experience, knowing people never hurts. An internship enables networking with people in a particular field who can significantly give aid when searching for jobs (2). It is good to know people who are already working in the field of interest, because those people can give students advice and sometimes offer a job. Therefore, do not underestimate internships as they can provide many benefits from exposing students to the field at an early stage, to building up professional characteristics, and increasing the chance of getting the job.
It is easy to see that internships are a great option for students looking to enter the work force. However, one must dig a little deeper to see how internships have changed over time. Technology has influenced the most change with internships in today’s society, greatly affecting locations of internships, the current economy, employment, competition between interns, networking, and education.
RECRUITMENT TECHNOLOGY: Job Locations and Traveling Methods
First, locations of internships are very different than they were in the 20th century. Before technology of communication and advertising advanced, one could only apply to local internships or apprenticeships. Newspapers and television were the main form of advertising, and only reached limited areas. Since these techniques had a limited audience, they would not show listings for internship opportunities far away. Thus, workers were limited in their choices for internships and jobs.
Currently, internships can be obtained in locations all over the world thanks to technology. The Internet can be credited for this difference because it gives students the opportunity to communicate with anyone, despite their location. Additionally, advertising online has no limits. Companies can post an ad for an internship and millions will be able to view it and apply to the position. For example, study abroad internships have become extremely popular in the past decade thanks to the Internet. Being able to see internship opportunities abroad has given students the opportunity to travel to other countries for work experience. One can experience a new culture, or develop an appreciation for a different way of life, and learn to appreciate their own culture. Plus, a study abroad internship looks great on a resume, making it a great way to set one apart from other interns. Having an internship experience outside the country will show employers the student has the ability to work with diverse group of people. These global opportunities were not as prevalent 20 years ago, but technology has changed the way we think about the global business market.
The Internet has also given rise to video chatting, which allows us to talk in real time to someone in a different location. This allows people to communicate while being thousands of miles apart. Obtaining internships away from home are made possible through video chat, which allows interviewing without traveling, and discussing projects with other company branches. Video chat interviews save companies money on airfare, hotels, and food that would have been used to meet the applicant. Now employers are able to interview more applicants, faster, and for little money thus increasing competition.
Technology in regards to transportation has also played a great role in changing internship locations in the 21st century. As the American National History Museum states: “All transportation depends on technology, whether it is the wheel, the jet engine, or the computer chip. Transportation is not just technology—it is a system of technology, people, energy, money, and more. However, advances in technology play a key role in shaping transportation systems, which in turn help to shape current lives, landscapes, and culture” (3). In the 20th century, transportation was not as efficient. Subways, buses, and cars existed, but now these forms of transportation are quicker and easier to use. Having better transportation available allows people to have internships in locations that would have been considered too far in the past. Thanks to current transportation such as subways, metros, buses, light rails, trams, airplanes, jets, and cars, location is less of an issue than it was decades ago.
COMPETITION: Technology and the Economy
As mentioned earlier, internships have evolved throughout history from apprenticeships. A key difference between internships and apprenticeships are that an “Apprenticeship would have gotten you into a guild, or in the early 20th century, would have gotten you into the union,” says Andrew Wender Cohen, a history professor at Syracuse University. “The concrete benefits of apprenticeship were more clear and were typically contractually stated.” Although an internship does not guarantee a full-time position, they tend to be the gateway into the workforce (1).
Employment has dramatically changed over the past few generations: from educational standards not being up to par to high job requirements such as high-level education and years of experience. In the late ‘70s and ‘80s universities flipped internships to be more available, appealing, and productive for students by giving course credit for them because faculty discovered from colleagues of how beneficial they were (1). At the time, the high demand for jobs from growing economies to technological advances relied on new ways to fulfill such inquiries. By applying hi-tech means to the job search market, interning has become an entirely new way of thinking and grasping every person’s dream. Unfortunately due to rapid changes in technology, the attaining of intern work is more fast paced and competetive. Today these changes make it significantly difficult to keep up with current employment standards. In the past many interns would be molded by a firm or company to fit their requirements of an employee. Lately from such an abundance of the unemployed and a recession, the race for a position gets complicated. Companies are requiring higher-level educations for positions and many job descriptions demand experience in the field, sometimes years of experience. Due to such a recession, many have been laid off and are desperate for work in which companies take advantage of.
So despite technology being extremely advantageous to some jobs, it can also be a hindrance to workers in some fields. Computers can do a lot more than they did 20 years ago. Thus, technological advances have eliminated the need for human workers in some career fields such as manufacturing and engineering. The current economic slump is encouraging the pursuit of internships because companies cannot afford to pay full-time salaries. Due to the crashing economy of the 21st century, businesses have found it is more cost effective to use technology instead of human workers (4). Similarly, it is very cost effective for companies to use non-paid or low-wage interns as a way to complete daily work. With unemployment reaching record highs, workers are being forced to pursue new career paths. Unpaid internships are the easiest way to start a new career since they help you slowly transition into a new job. Therefore, the concept of an internship is more popular than it was in the 20th century, and for some it may be necessary for overcoming the market competition.
For instance, usually if “Company A” is hiring it has been on a trend of gathering the best and brightest students fresh out of college to fabricate them to the company’s style of work. Currently the “Company A” has an entirely new group of hungry and desperate laid off workers who have experience in the required field and will work for less than the new age graduate. Which will “Company A” hire? Training recent college graduates requires expensive and time consuming training. It is more logical to hire the more experienced workers who are ready to work. So what do fresh graduates do? Although in 2008 the population in the United States ages 23-38 only 43% have attained a tertiary education, it may not be enough (6). Many students must turn to molding themselves into more versatile individuals by attaining graduate degrees or having multiple majors/minors in their focus of study, and work-related internship experience.
In the past, pre-year 2000 there was significantly less competition when applying for an internship. This is mostly due to how uncommon internships were. Presently the mere idea of bringing up the word internship sends a distress signal to all in the vicinity saying, “I need to get ahead of the game and secure a position for my future!” Many unemployed are looking for jobs while many companies, banks, and law firms are struggling. In the past few years the decline of job opportunities even in the unpaid sector have increased the competition for them (7). Many employers are able to be more selective due to the abundance of students interested in internship positions and some small employers are able to hire interns for the first time. According to the National Association of College Employers intern hiring was reduced 21% in 2009 as well as Co-Op hiring dropped 11% (8). The overall demand for interns has increased since 2000, but will it be lasting? As the demand for internships decreases the competition for those internships greatly increases.
So how has technology increased the competition? More educational requirements regarding technical experience are expected prior to hiring. A sagging economy naturally creates more competition, and turns the ‘internship’ from an experience for all college students who want to try a new work experience, to a resume requirement for even being considered on the job market.
NETWORKING: The Intern on Facebook and LinkedIn
“The most compelling reason for most people to buy a computer for the home will be to link it to a nationwide communications network. We’re just in the beginning stages of what will be a truly remarkable breakthrough for most people – as remarkable as the telephone.” – Steve Jobs, 1985. Networking for job positions has always been the most effective way to get a foot in the door for a new job or internship. The methods of networking such as colleagues, professional organizations, professors, family, and friends is still very relevant, but the medium with which one communicates has adapted to the latest technologies. In one word, the change is brought on by the Internet. Before 1980’s, the best methods of networking were through mail, phone calls, or personally revisiting friends and co-workers. Since the mid 1980’s email has been standard in companies, allowing colleagues to efficiently communicate to one another and perspective employees. Networking via email can be done by simply exchanging a series of emails with professionals. What once required on site visits and mail exchanges costing weeks in time, can be done quickly and efficiently via email.
Besides email, advancements like Facebook and LinkedIn have improved networking. These social networking websites function by users creating personal profiles and communicating with friends, family, and professionals. These web sites not only let users communicate with their networks, but it also lets the user expand their networks by searching for particular companies or interests. Or, a user can search for that old buddy with the job connection they are looking for. Social Media Today estimated that 41.6% of the U.S. population had a Facebook account in 2010, making Facebook one of the most valuable resources for searching and contacting job and internship resources (9).
It is relevant to consider that social networks like Facebook are a double edged sword; if one’s profile is not maintained properly, potential employers will see pictures or personal information that are unflattering or inappropriate. Even though the social network is an extremely useful resource, it has created a new way for employers to narrow down a long list of applicants based on their personal life found online. This latest technology has adapted job hunting strategies for both employers and applicants to fit the demands of the 21st century. Companies will use these websites to aid final decisions of whom to hire, and social media users will use these online resources to connect with new job resources, all of which is a new component of interning that came from advancements in technology.
LinkedIn’s social network is focused on creating an entirely professional network system allowing users to even research a company’s statistics. LinkedIn allows users to create groups of common interests and apply for jobs within LinkedIn. This site differs from Facebook because it focuses on showcasing one’s professional career. It is designed to not include incriminating material that Facebook inherently contains. Clearly, organizing and creating networks in the 21st century is significantly easier than networking in the past.
In fact, the ease of social and professional networking has created a whole new era of Internet-absorbed interns. Place a Generation Y, a title dubbed to the current generation, in front of a computer for 8 hours, and they will be multi-tasking between work and social media with ease. Internet firewalls are put in place by companies to prevent malaware being accidentally downloaded and keep employees focused on their work. The most recent technological advancements are affecting inexperienced workers and interns in a negative light.
Networking has basically been constant, but the methods of organizing and managing one’s networks has improved with the latest technologies. With improvements in networking, come improvements in job seeking and job placement.
EDUCATION: Following the Demand of Technology
The most effective education for mastering a trade is hands on experience intertwined with knowledge gained from studying scientifically proven concepts. All the knowledge required for a craft cannot be obtained simply through studying the material in a class or through a book. Similarly, one cannot improve existing technology without the research and knowledge learned from the latest scientific discoveries. This combined method of education and work experience evolved with technology into current internships.
Modern day internships evolved from American apprenticeships in the mid 1900’s (1). Though internships and apprenticeships are based off of similar work ethics, the focus has shifted from hands on experience to knowledge gained via classroom. The emphasis in education is derived from the vast technological advancements in the past 30 years. The more sophisticated our society and technology becomes, more education is required to understand, operate, and improve these technologies for future generations. A typical apprentice would only require 144 hours per year of technical education while an Engineering Co-Op student is required to complete over 300 credit hours per year at a credited university (10). It is not just the amount of education that has changed, but the reason for the program has shifted from mastering a trade to getting the education. An apprentice is training to become a very specific tradesmen and spends most of their time learning by experience. A typical intern is going to university to earn a more eclectic degree and gains less on site experience via their internship. The latest Generation Y has fully mastered internet connectivity and social networking. This generation already has a handle on the latest technology, which earlier generations often struggle to use because Generation Y was better educated on the manner.
According to necs.gov, full-time enrollment in degree-granting post-secondary institutions increased over 40% from 1970 to 2009 (11). It is well known that higher education is becoming more standard as our technology becomes more advanced. This educational growth is driven by the rapid technological advancements as the members of society train to meet future demands. These college graduates are seeking white collar jobs and finding the best way to obtain work experience is through an internship.
CONCLUSION:
Technology is the main difference between the 1900’s and now, it is the driving force, it is the obvious motivator of change in our workforce. Like many aspects of modern life, internships in the 21st century have been molded by technology. The job search is easier online, offering new locations and more access to opportunities. Although the competition has increased, both due to more automatized computer work, more educational requirements, and a struggling economy, interns are able to interview online, and travel further with ease to secure their positions. The idea of an internship has shifted with competition from a ‘helpful experience’ to a ‘necessary one’.
Works Cited
1.) “The Evolution of Interns.” Forbes. April 27, 2009. <http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/27/intern-history-apprenticeship-leadership-careers-jobs.html>
2.) “Benefits of Doing an Internship.” i to i volunteering. <http://www.i-to-i.com/benefits-of-internship.html>
3.) “Transportation Technology.” America on the Move. <http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthemove/themes/story_50_1.html>
4.) “Are Automated Systems Replacing Human Workers?” Technology of the Future. December 1, 2010. <http://www.robodex.org/are-automated-systems-replacing-human-workers.htm>
5.) “The End Of The Cushy Law Student Internship.” Forbes. April 27, 2009. <http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/27/law-internship-associate-leadership-careers-summer.html>
6.) “Education at a Glance 2010: OECD Indicators.” UNESCO Institue for Statistics: Higher Education. <http://www.uis.unesco.org/Education/Pages/tertiary-education.aspx>
7.) “Internships In A Recession: It’s Changing.” Forbes. April 27, 2009. <http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/27/intern-recession-change-leadership-careers-summer.html>
8.) “How to Land Internships You Want.” Forbes. March 31, 2009. <http://www.forbes.com/2009/03/31/summer-internship-advice-leadership-careers-secrets.html>
9.) “41.6% of the US has a Facebook Account.” Roy Wells. August 8, 2010 <http://roywells.com/2010/08/08/41-6-of-the-us-population-has-a-facebook-account/>
10.) “History of Apprenticeships.” Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. <http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Apprenticeship/About/History/default.asp>
11.) “Fast Facts” IES: National Center for Education Statistics <http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=98>
Elie Mansour 
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