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The Daily Tar Heel

Slower Economy Brings Fewer Internship Positions

With the country's economy in a slump, the job market has become more limited for both professionals and students, officials said.

"The economy has definitely cut down on the number of paid internships," said Jay Eubank, director of career services for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

The decrease in the number of internship opportunities came as a surprise to many students and career services employees, who thought interns would be spared because the position is temporary and employers don't have to provide benefits or significant pay.

"I thought the internship area would be one area that would not be affected as much by the economy," said Shawn Graham, assistant director of University Career Services.

Career fields that have experienced the most evident decreases in internship opportunities are consulting, investment banking and advertising, Graham said.

Students said they were disappointed with many offerings in these fields, including the interviewers who came to the UCS career fairs this fall.

"There was a lot more of the mom and pop shops, and not so many big financial firms," said junior Jon Narveson. "There wasn't such a push for students."

Narveson also said he thought the companies at last year's career fair seemed more aggressive in recruiting interns, while this year's companies offered applications with the warning that they might not be able to hire interns.

But officials say there are still opportunities available for students interested in finding summer prospects, especially volunteer positions.

"There probably have been some internships that have been eliminated, but most companies are still offering internships," Graham said.

Due to the increased competition in the smaller market, UCS has tried to encourage students by sniffing out available job positions, pushing students to be aggressive in the internship hunt and by encouraging them to be flexible.

"Students just need to not panic. There's definitely a chance that they can find employment," Graham said. "My advice would be to take advantage of every opportunity."

The general decrease in career options in the job market might even lead some graduating seniors to look to intern positions to pay the bills until permanent openings are available, Eubank said.

"There are definitely going to be more seniors who, in flush times, were looking for jobs but are now looking for internships too," Eubank said. "Generally students are not as aware of how the economy is affecting the job market -- it's probably an eye-opener."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.

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