My daughter was offered an internship in Washington DC

[JanetRose]

She just graduated college last weekend in journalism/mass communication and was offered an internship at National Public Radio in Washington DC for no pay. She wants to do it and realizes it may open a lot of doors for her but has only about $4000 in savings and the internship is 16 weeks.

One of her professors told her that she may not get a job in DC after the internship so she would be right where she started but with no money. Her professor interned for MTV as a graduate and even when the economy was good, they would only hire 1 out of 10 interns. Plus the economy is even worse now...


Would you advice her to go?

Thank you!

 

[missypie]

Wow, I love NPR. May I have it if she doesn't take it? (Congrats to her either way!)

 

[akhenaten]

It sounds like a great opportunity....

Congratulations to her!!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I'll help her find a way to do this. This sounds fabulous. High level internships don't come around that often - this can truly get her foot in the door.

I was in State Government for ages and we had a saying (that I'm sure applies to many fields, it wasn't our saying alone )

Be nice to your intern, because you never know....someday they may be your boss. 3 of my interns went on to to VERY successful careers in State Gov't.

I highly recommend that she take this

 

[terri01p]

Yea tell her to take it 16 weeks will go by fast and the experience will last a lifetime. Make it work some how.

 

[can84]

I did a no-pay internship at the Library of Congress this fall and had an absolutely wonderful experience. I loved DC and am now actively looking for a job there (OK, looking for a job anywhere right now, but would love to go back!) If she can swing it, she should go for it!

 

[HeatherH]

Journalism major here...and I say you MUST find a way to help her make it happen! That is one AWESOME internship opportunity!

I guarantee you it will open major doors for her for paying jobs, because she had the experience with NPR.

What type of position is it? Producing, reporting, other?

 

[LoraJ]

I think it would be a great opportunity. Perhaps she can do something part time to make some money.

 

[MJMouse]

What an amazing opportunity! Very few young people get that kind of intership. If it is financially feasible for her to do the internship AND she doesn't have a paying job offer, I'd say go for it. She could always use that time to find a paying position when she's finished.

Plus, DC is an amazing area to explore and to live in. I moved here two years ago for a 6 month assignment and never left!

However, 4k is not going to get her far in the DC area as far as housing goes. She will also have transportation and food costs, plus health insurance (assuming she's no longer a student and no longer elligible for your insurance).

If she doesn't already have housing lined up, she may need to get creative!! I'd check with local colleges to see if they have a list of students looking for roommates. Check Craigslist (but BE CAREFUL and check out any listing carefully) for rooms for rent/short term rentals.

Where is the station? Is it close to the metro?

In any case, good luck to her! Feel free to PM for more info if needed.

 

[Chicago526]

That's an AMAZING gig and will look fantastic on her resume. I'd do it even if it ment sleeping on someone's floor for 5 months! If there is any way you can help her do this, IMO you really should.

DC has decent public transit, find out the nearest metro stop to where she'll be working and follow that line out as far as it goes, then look for some place for her to live in that area. She should also ask whoever she is in contact with at NPR for suggestions, who knows maybe they have other paid employees that rent out rooms to the un-paid interns for cheap, or know of a good source of cheap but safe housing.

 

[NotUrsula]

I just took a tour there during a convention I attended; the studios are on Mass. Ave, between the Mt. Vernon Sq and Gallery Place Metro stops. The green, orange, yellow and red lines all service the area, though only the yellow and green lines go up to Mt. Vernon Sq.

It is my understanding that there is a sort of interns' grapevine in DC that helps with roommate connections in cases like these. From what I'm told, she should definitely expect to not only share a place, but probably to share with multiple roommates, and to prepare herself for what may be a very long Metro commute.

Still, it's only 4 months, and your average 22 yo can certainly deal with a little discomfort for that long. I say she should go for it.

 

[brockash]

I'll help her find a way to do this. This sounds fabulous. High level internships don't come around that often - this can truly get her foot in the door.

I was in State Government for ages and we had a saying (that I'm sure applies to many fields, it wasn't our saying alone )

Be nice to your intern, because you never know....someday they may be your boss. 3 of my interns went on to to VERY successful careers in State Gov't.

I highly recommend that she take this

iTA!

 

[jodifla]

Definitely a worthwhile experience!

 

[Floridagal23]

http://media.www.gwhatchet.com/medi...r.Internships.Worth.Their.While-3846676.shtml

 

[golfgal]

I did a no-pay internship at the Library of Congress this fall and had an absolutely wonderful experience. I loved DC and am now actively looking for a job there (OK, looking for a job anywhere right now, but would love to go back!) If she can swing it, she should go for it!

My cousin's husband works for the Library of Congress--cool job.


OP, I would try to find a way to make it work for her-would she be able to get a part-time job as well as the internship? They may have some housing set-ups for roommates, etc. so that might help. Anything you can do to get a leg up in this economy, especially in journalism, will be good.

 

[justhat]

I would definitely advise her to take the internship. A lot of parents from my kids' school work for NPR, and not only do they love it, but the experiences they get are amazing.

I am sure they will help you in terms of housing, but one thing to keep in mind is that the Metro trains and buses may not be the best fit. I don't know what her hours will be, but as an example, my friend is the host of Morning Edition and he has to be up and out the door at 3:30am, when public transit is not yet running. I am sure the intern hours aren't quite as bad, but just something to keep in mind.

 

[redlight]

It sounds like an excellent opportunity, one that would enhance her job prospects in the long run. Yes, encourage her to go!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

If she has the means to support herself for 4 months (either with or without your help)--DEFINITELY!!!!

There are NPR affiliates nationwide and depending on what she wants to do, having it on her resume will be a plus.

That field is highly networking driven and often it is about who you know. Often, internships aren't about getting the job where you intern, but opening the door to working anywhere.

What exactly are her employment plans and what did she do field-related wise in her college?

When I was at UF, many of us worked at our NPR affiliate station (mostly for free) and MANY went on in their field either producing, directing, or anchoring or whatever. I was already a FT employee at a TV station my last semester. (Then left it all together to follow my sweetie who didn't get a job where there were tv stations.)

So certainly--and especially--if her resume is lacking and she has no job prospects in her field...4 months at NPR will only help her in the long run.

If I had to, I would help my child if necessary and just consider this an extra semester of college.

 

[shelly3girls]

As everyone else has already said, yes she should take it!

Has she asked the HR rep who made the offer if they have any housing assistance? They may not help her pay for housing but they may help her find affordable housing. Many universities have dorms available (sometime even apartments) for interns to use over the summer at a fraction of what an apartment might cost. They may also get special rates at temporary housing locations. Our company arranges rates at Homewood Suites for a very reasonable price that even includes meals. It is definitely worth asking.

 

[minnie56]

My DD23 is at Parsons in NYC right now...she has completed 4 years of University and this is a 2 year program. She take 7 courses and Interns approx 17 hrs a week for no pay...it's gruelling for us paying her tuition and NYC rent and she makes not a penny--but we feel it is the BEST shot at a great career we can give her, so here's to hoping! If you can support her in any way--please do?