subject: Sorting Through Good Summer Paid Internships and the Scams [print this page] Sorting Through Good Summer Paid Internships and the Scams
When you're looking for an internship this summer, make sure that you're wary of the many scams floating around the internet. For honest individuals, the concept of scamming a poor college student or out-of-work individual is abhorrent. Unfortunately, though, there are plenty of con artists looking to make a quick buck from unsuspecting job or internship hunters.
A job agency that guarantees you'll find a job probably isn't legit. Nobody can guarantee that every one of their clients will be hired. It's just out of their hands. If a job or internship asks for your bank account information, credit card information, social security number or other such information without having met you or without having hired you, be careful. The first time you will give this information to a new employer is likely when filling out tax forms and setting up direct deposit after you're hired.
Also be wary of companies without a physical address. Use the internet to search the address of the company to make sure the building exists. If you're in the area, have a quick drive by the building, but remember a lot of office buildings house several companies.
So which internships can you trust? Check the website. They're not hard to create, but a legitimate company will spend time putting relevant information on their website. Websites with little information or that read like an infomercial may be suspect. If you get a strange vibe from the company or its website, it's probably best to stay away. Ask the recruitment coordinator some questions, too. An honest recruiter will offer more specific details and is more willing to answer your questions.
Once you do sort through all of your internship possibilities, choose one that you feel comfortable with. You should have gathered as much details about the company and the position as you could so you can make an educated decision.
College internships are great ways to build leadership skills, develop your written and oral communication capabilities and network. Look for an internship that offers these opportunities. Companies that have interns fetch coffee, make photocopy after photocopy and file documents offer a way into the company, but do very little to develop their interns for life after college.
