Internships: Opportunities for students

By Marina Andaloro

Staff Writer

courtesy of google images

35.3% of employers’ hire fulltime, entry-level students from their internship programs

67.7% of 2007-08 interns were offered full-time positions

83.6% of these offers were accepted

Competition is continually growing on the job market. It is starting to no longer become a question of whether or not students should continue their education after high school. They should take hold of every opportunity that comes forth to fulfill their future career goals. With this being said, it is a good idea for students to become interns to gain work experience while in the process of obtaining their degree. It is an opportunity for students to gain knowledge and experience in their own field of study. An internship allows them to go through steps of training and work with an actual company. In some majors, it is mandatory for students to complete an internship in order for them to graduate with their degree. It may require a student to train anywhere from one month to one year. But, regardless of how long or short the process of interning may be, it will only benefit students in the long run.

It is important to take note of how much of an advantage this is for students. As a student, you can only learn and experience so much in the classroom. Regardless of what field a student is in, an internship allows them to establish proper work ethics, get a feel for the atmosphere, and enhances their own outlook of the field. As an intern, you will get to encounter day-to-day what it is like to work in your field. Students will be assigned projects that they have to complete on the job. For example, if you are majoring in advertising, your internship will require you to work at a local advertising agency. The company will have the student write and take on individual assignments such as creating multiple slogans and/or writing persuasive copy for a specific product. If you majoring in accounting, your internship would probably be at a bank, insurance agency,  or finance agency. Students would be assigned to study profits, work on bookkeeping, or manage inventory. While students are working on their individual assignments, they will also start to form relationships with their fellow co-workers. The co-workers can help them with any questions or problems and may be beneficial to them in the future.

When applying for a job, the co-workers can be used as references. They can recommend a student for a job because they have seen the student’s work. The experience of the work and atmosphere allows a student to develop a better idea on whether or not they are interested in pursuing their current major

Internships are a great way to start building a resume. Employers are interested in the applicant’s work background. They look for qualifications and experiences related to the job that students are applying for. If they have the experience or working background, it already gives them an advantage in their interview. The more experience, the more confidence the applicant will have applying for the job. This has the student already one foot in the door and it may even lead to a full-time job after graduation.

You should ask your guidance counselor if anything is offered for students who are interested in interning. If it is not offered, your guidance counselor still might be able to give you some helpful resources. As soon as you receive the information you need, start creating a professional resume and practice your interviewing skills. You can begin this process by doing an online internship search to identify types of internships you are interested in and geographic location.

CCC’s Athletic Department & You

By: GABRIEL JACKSON

Staff Writer

It was February 2, 2012 with 48 seconds left in the game. The crowd watched eagerly as David Hart grabbed the offensive rebound and passed it to Tyshawn Robinson. Dukes fans began screaming and jumping as the anxiety in the gym intensified. Robinson positioned himself and released the ball from his hands with less than seven seconds in the game. As the ball tips into the rim of the basket, the crowd rises with excitement. Just like a scene from a movie, the crowd goes wild filling the court with excitement. The score was 85 – 84 and the Dukes found victory against Bergen. With tremendous success like that, one may wonder how much does the athletic department ensure the success of its athletes outside of the playing field?

Cumberland County College’s athletic department began 45 years ago along with the opening of the school. The program has been shut down numerous times for unknown reasons and later returned in the spring of 1998. Since then, it has developed eight sports including women’s and men’s basketball, women’s and men’s soccer, women’s and men’s cross country, baseball, and softball. All of these sports have competed in the Garden State Athletic Conference and in region XIX of the NJCAA which is National Junior College Athletic Association.  Over a hundred students enrolled in CCC participate in the athletic program. But for what? What does this program offer that will request student participation?

Most commonly people enroll in college in search of a better career in order to have a better life. This is equivalent to the concept of why students join the athletic department. This department offers numerous opportunities including connections with four-year schools, a steered pathway to success and the opportunity of becoming a well-rounded student.  Many students leave the program with a clear direction. The athletic department uses their connections to ensure athletes get into desired four-year schools. Coaches and staff have various connections to local four-year schools as well as schools in the eastern region. They contact university scouts to come see their players. Student may also find interest in the facilities the department offers. The fitness center which is located in the gymnasium is open 43 hours a week. It offers a collection of cardio equipment and over a baker’s dozen of strength machines. The department also has a newly revamped baseball field, and a gymnasium that is equipped for basketball, baseball, and soccer.

Eligibility seems to be a main concern of the department. Numerous teams over the years have lost players due to classroom performance. The issue may be the difference between going to the NJCAA championship or not. Players who do poorly in one semester are placed in a probationary period for the next semester. With one semester extending over four months at a time, A student would miss out on a season and in the meantime, their academic progress is not being accounted for. That student may return the next year and may not consider the same sport which is a loss for him and the department.

Bob Amundson, who is the assistant director of the department, created an academic monitoring system which he hopes will prevent the issue of athletes becoming ineligible. The system monitors athletes performance in class and then, a spread sheet is made, that in detail, explains what the student needs to succeed academically. Student athletes receives a monthly update of their production in class, which helps Amundson look for alternative routes for them to succeed. Whether it’s tutoring or better time management skills, this process is used to create a new “game plan” for success.

The Athletic department believes that academics are important. The program understands that every graduate will not find a profession in athletics; therefore they stress the importance of a good education leading the way. Amundson states, “It is the departments goal to ensure all of their athletes are equipped to transfer into the real world. By graduating through the athletic department, the prophecies of becoming a well-rounded student will not seem foreign; and yet, it would relatively hit home.”

If you are interested in joining or want more information about the department, contact Assistant Director of Athletics, Bob Amundson at (856) 691-8600 ex.417 or check out the athletics page on Cumberland County College’s website cccnj.edu/athletics.

MMA + College Students = A Good Time!

By James O’Hagan

From its original marketing as a blood sport competition with no rules to becoming one of the fastest growing and very competitive combat sports in the world, mixed martial arts or MMA is a few short steps from becoming as main stream as baseball, basketball, and football. MMA is a mixture of styles, including but not limited to Boxing, Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai Kickboxing. MMA has been adopted as a sport style that is now practiced in most martial arts school around the world.  With this progression, the age of the average mixed martial arts student has become younger and younger and has garnered the attention of many college students. Some non-believers may not see this as a positive aspect, but it seems to be adding discipline and self-confidence to participants who may otherwise not have an opportunity to experience.

Two students of MMA and professional MMA competitors, Cumberland County residents Patrick White and Bryan Danner are strong believers in youth in MMA programs. White & Danner train at Shark Tank BJJ in Vineland, NJ, had some insight on college students training in MMA.  White, a graduate of Rowan University, became a pro fighter while in college after realizing that college wrestling wasn’t what he wanted to pursue, “I just always had that competitive side,” White explained.  After a career in high school wrestling and looking for something more during White’s college tenure, he felt that MMA was his niche. White reflects, “I loved working out, but just lifting weights and running wasn’t doing it for me anymore.”  When asked, if a MMA club or team was started at Rowan, how would he feel about that? “I would absolutely join, I would have been the first in line.” White stated.

CCC’s Bryan Danner, on break from school until the winter session, is also a pro fighter and also agrees with the idea that not only college students, but also, anyone, that wants to get into shape should participate in mixed martial arts training. “Definitely health wise, it’s definitely a benefit,” Danner explains. Also, he sheds light on the benefit to sometimes, wild college students. Danner, who fights this October 22in Atlantic City, along with his trainer partner White, believes that MMA will help focus students involved in MMA.  Danner states, “it will keep their mind busy, they will be focused and they will strive to be the best they can be.”

The benefit of MMA, whether you become a fighter, grappling competitor, or just want to become healthy is obvious. “There are guys out there that are 80 years old, rolling around on the mats still”, says Danner who also is a Marine reservist. White explains, “We got guys in here, that come in here, that are overweight, train for six months and drop 50 pounds.” Many students are engaging in mixed martial arts training to enhance their health and build confidence.  For more information about mixed martial arts programs, visit www.sharktanknj.com.

Stop stress before it eats you

 

By JULIE FULLAM

Staff Writer

 

Stress. It’s a part of everyday life. From when you wake up in the morning to when you go to bed, it consumes a lot of our daily activities. School is stressful. Work is stressful. Family, friends, and neighbors are all stressful. There are negative consequences to dealing with stress both physically and mentally. Physical side effects include weight gain, joint pain, headaches, and a low immune system. Mental side effects such as depression and anxiety not only hurt you, but the others around you. 

Exercise is an important asset when it comes to stress because it helps relieve “negative energy” and helps you become more relaxed. Exercises such as yoga, cardio, weightlifting, and swimming are all good examples to relieve stress and to “keep it fun.” 

“Recognize the signs of stress and try to find a technique that works for you. Controlling stress is a skill you will use throughout your life. As you become better at controlling stress, you will live a happier, longer, and more fulfilling life,” said Shane Familie, the athletic trainer at Cumberland County College. 

“Not only do you need to exercise and control your stress, you need to eat healthier too, including foods that are high in vitamins and antioxidants. Try to avoid high caffeine drinks as they will heighten anxiety.” 

A lot of people deal with stress differently. Students are no exception. Students want to succeed  in  college, but unfortunately, sometimes the classes are too much to take all at once. Staying up late studying and procrastination will not get you that ‘A’ on your final. Some students drink Red Bull or Monster in order to stay up and finish their studying. One Red Bull drink has 27 grams of sugar,  which is almost equivalent to 2 tablespoons of sugar! It also induces that extreme “high” state from the caffeine, and results in a massive crash afterwards. 

April Walsh is a sophomore at Cumberland County who enjoys drinking Red Bull. “I love it. I can’t imagine my life without it. I love being able to finish things I am working on, such as going to the gym, and feeling like I can run a mile. Red Bull and other energy drinks are a part of my everyday life! I think they taste great!” Laura Rundell, a freshman at Cumberland County College said, “Energy Drinks? No, I stay away from them. They are not good for you! If you need an energy boost eat things that boost your metabolism. Go to the gym. Do jumping jacks. Something that doesn’t work by putting taurine into your body and making you crash in the end.” 

So with all the pressure and stress in life to deal with, how do we know how to catch stress before it affects us? 

1.) Get a good night’s sleep. The absence of a full 7-8 hours of sleep can leave you drained and could make you sick. 

2.) Eat healthier. Eating more foods enriched with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants is a good way to relieve stress and make your body feel good. 

3.) Exercise. Exercise should be a part of everyday life. 30 minutes of exercise a day is recommended in order to stay healthy.

4.) Don’t procrastinate. Waiting until the night before to do a paper will not help. Pace yourself a week or so before to spread out your paper. 

5.) Mediate or do yoga. 

There are many other ways to relieve stress as well. Kathleen Johansen, a sophomore, said, “I like to write to relieve my stress. I like to sit and relax, listen to soft music playing in the background, and just write how I feel. It’s always a relief to feel that inner peace.” 

Linda Lleres, the Spanish professor at Cumberland County, has another method, “I enjoy cooking to relieve my stress. It makes me feel happy to know that I get to cook all this food and someone will enjoy it! I always try to have a positive attitude and stay calm!” 

No matter how old or young you are stress can be a big problem in your life. Take the time to breathe, relax, and most importantly, have fun! Stress can be sneaky, but if you fight it off before it can get to you, your life will be happy, healthier and more fulfilling than ever before.