For those who get bored of winter break by January 1, there is at least one way to get off the couch. Internships over winter vacation, known as "winternships," are an increasingly popular way to gain valuable work experience and build connections that can translate into lengthier employment.
While these winternships are not as widely available as those held during summer months, there are several options available to those Jumbos who want to make full use of winter break.
Most students know that part-time internships for school credit are available for the full winter semester from January to May; those interested in such internships have many resources available to find a part-time position. A less utilized (and more temporary) option, however, is the dedication of a week during winter break to gain crucial work experience and networking contacts.
"Winter break is a wonderful time to take on a new project that will add to your experience. Start early to network with alumni or look for a volunteer opportunity that you can take on for a few weeks in January. Talk to people about what it is you're seeking, what you have to offer to an organization and ask if they know anyone who could use some extra help over your break," Jean Papalia, the director of Career Services, said in an e-mail to the Daily.
The Tufts Communications and Media Studies Department also sponsors weeklong winternships with Tufts alumni. According to Julie Dobrow, Program Director of the CMS Program, the winternships initiative was started by the Los Angeles Tufts Alliance after recognizing the importance of internships as an integral aspect of gaining work experience in highly competitive industries.
"There were a number of Tufts alums living in L.A. and working in the entertainment industry, and they got together and said, ‘You know, in order to get ahead in this business, students really need to understand a little more about how these media industries work; they need to have hands on experience, and they need to have an opportunity to do some networking with people working in the business.' Those are not the sorts of opportunities that you get in liberal arts classes at Tufts," Dobrow said.
The program has expanded to feature a diverse range of internships in L.A., Boston and New York. There are approximately 40 available spots in the program.
"We have positions at media organizations that represent TV, film, advertising, PR, print media and a couple of talent agency positions," Dobrow said.
The internships provide an inside perspective into different industries and allow students to realize their interests and to build relationships for further employment opportunities.
"I think it's a great experience for somebody who isn't sure [about his or her interests]," Dobrow said. "For instance, they have some thought that they're interested in advertising, but they're not sure if they're more interested in the management or creative side, and this gives them an opportunity to experience it and understand a bit more what happens in that particular industry.
"It's also great experience for students to be able to make some contacts that will serve them very well, both in terms of other internship opportunities and also in terms of jobs," Dobrow continued.
Senior Sarah Ullman began as a freshman in the winternship program and has used the connections she formed during her experience to gain further internship opportunities.
"My freshman year I applied to the winternship program and got a winternship with a Tufts alum," Ullman said. "It was a really great experience. I met a lot of people, and at a networking event the L.A. Tufts Alliance put together, I met a guy who basically offered me an internship at E! Entertainment."
Ullman said that while week-long internships don't provide the sort of work experience that longer internships do, the opportunity to experience a new environment, even for a short period of time, is extremely valuable.
"Clearly, you get an idea of the workplace. You don't really get to do that much substantive work, but [you] get to know the place and have some really cool experiences. I think that it's really important, because you get to know the tone and the environment of each company you try," Ullman said. "You get an idea for what the company does and the environment, and that really helped me in deciding what kind of company I want to work for."
