Finding an Internship
Articles / Online
Date: December 17, 2007  

Chris Brunetti, Staff Reporter

Whether it is a full time job, part time or an internship, many students must start thinking how they are going to spend their winter break. 
With the end of the semester approaching, now is a good time for students to begin thinking whether an internship or a job is in their future.  There are many options as to how to find jobs and internships, especially with the efficiency of the internet in today’s society.
The first thing students must look at is why a job or internship is ideal for them.  For those looking for extra cash flow during their free time, a part time job would be ideal.  Others whom wish to gain some experience in their field of study, should look into an internship.  Lastly there is the fall 2007 graduates who, in a short time, will be given the certificate of graduation and thrown out into the real world to chase their dream job.
A starting place is to meet with your advisors or faculty from within your major.  These people work with students to arrange field experiences for academic credit, whom wish to gain some insight into their desired field.
“I was able to get some real life experience within agricultural business, while at the same time gain credit towards my quest to graduate,” said Wyatt Meiggs, a business student in his senior year, about his experience interning at Ausaymus Farms LLC.
Internet sites are also a great resource when searching for a job or internship. 
Some websites of interest include; QuintessentialCareers.com, InternZoo.com, Monster.com and  Craigslist.com.  In each of these websites people can choose which area and field they wish to work in, they can post resumes and can receive assistance with resume writing.
 Many other sites exist that are designed strictly towards a specific field including GetATravelJob.com geared towards the travel industry and teachingjobs.com geared towards positions in the educational field.
Dr. Randall S. Hansen, Webmaster of  http://www.quintcareers.com" \t "_new, Quintessential Careers, said internships are one of the best ways for college students to get  experience.
Internships are available, but it will require much dedication and perseverance to acquire.
College is place where individuals can expand their knowledge, to gain independence and learn the skills needed in the work place. An internship or a job will allow individuals to apply those skills and qualities in a professional environment.
For more information on internships and employment visit, CSUMB.EDU/career.edu.

After these orders of business were taken care of, the action items commenced. The official agenda of the IAC meeting overviews the procedures of handling this formal complaint according to IAC bylines, “the AS IAC shall review their complaints, information submitted, and any other information addressed at the meeting by others on the mater.” IAC chair Clint Weirwick attempted from the beginning to establish strict, orderly conduct. Throughout the meeting Weirwick repeatedly reminded guests as well as AS officials rules of conduct.

Weirick read the agenda out loud as well as the original e-mail that Graham sent Gentry. Both were asked to share their side of the story and the reasons for their actions. Gentry made reference to the e-mail, addressing matters brought up by Graham. “Also, there has been suspicion that you have taken from officers in the past. This kind of complaints, along with not representing the student body, will not get you a position with us,” wrote Graham. The alleged item that Gentry supposedly took from an officer was the camera of Robert Graham. “I didn‘t steal it,” said Gentry. “I have 12 or 13 camera of my own so I don’t know why I would take it,” continued Gentry. Following these statements, Gentry asked members who served on AS last year to comment if they knew if she had taken anything for any of the officers. “As someone who served on AS last year, I didn’t hear of that occurring,” said Xana Hermosillo. Fellow committee member Densie Huey also agreed. The other portion of Graham’s email that Gentry addressed was her job performance in the past.

“If they (faculty) thought I wasn’t doing my job, they would have gone to Andy Klingelhoefer,” said Gentry. Graham alleges that a faculty member approached him on behalf of Gentry’s performance as Upper Division Academic Senator. Graham still refuses to say what was said to him or by whom because he stood by his source who asked to remain anonymous. Graham didn’t ask any other faculty or student about Gentry’s performance but felt that this one faculty was enough to make a decision. “I have the sole authority to say yes or no,” said Graham about appointing members to the AS senate.

Gentry does not argue that Graham had broken any specific rules. The complaint is actually filed in regards to his conduct as AS President. Gentry felt that Graham had not upheld his duties in representing students when he had sent her the email and warned her against applying for the position.

For IAC members the main voting issue was not whether or not Graham had violated bylaws by sending the email, but if Gentry's complaint was valid and Graham was violating the oath he took when he became AS President, that he would represent the student body.

In a heated rant Huey sounded off on how she felt that through his email Graham had not represented her as a student, and asked the group to imagine something they really wanted and then imagine someone had sent them the email that Graham had sent. Huey continued, "Everyone should have an equal opportunity to apply for this position."

Many members of A.S. voiced concerns over why Graham had not come to fellow A.S. officers when trying to make a decision about Gentry’s performance, as many of them had worked with her in the past. Graham stated, “at the time that [consulting A.S.] had not passed through my mind.” Eventually Graham publicly apologized, but did not admit to wrongdoing stating, “This is way too intense for me to ever do it again.”

The majority of the general public attending the meeting were friends of Graham himself. Most of which stated their opinion that Graham had done a great job as a president by helping them to start organizations and be involved with student activities on campus. Michael Juarez stated that the students had elected Graham to make these decisions for the student body, and whether or not students are disappointed it is well within his rights.

Eventually, after a long night of discussion, Xana Hermosillo, Otter Student Union Chair, moved to give Graham a formal warning as well as four checks against his record. Denise Huey, A.S. Student Senate Representative, seconded the motion moving it to pass.

At this point Graham excused himself from the room stating he would like to speed the process by abstaining from further discussion. After Graham exited the room the group quickly moved the motion to pass.

In A.S. officers are given stipends, Graham’s equals $1,600 a semester, and checks count as $25 off of that stipend. Each officer is allotted 4 “free” checks before checks start to affect their stipend. If Graham has no checks to date than there will be no adjustment to his stipend.

Before leaving the meeting, Graham did respond that Gentry was welcome to apply for the position next time it is available. Even though a decision was reached Gentry is still working to rebuild her reputation. She has provided many faculty and student responses that positively reflect her work last year on AS. “In my experience in the Academic Senate you had always represented the students well and been present at most of the meetings where I expected you to be as a student representative,” said Dr. Daniel M. Fernandez, professor and chair, the Division of Science and Environmental Policy. “When you needed to miss because of a conflict in your schedule, you always let me know,” continued Fernandez on Gentry’s performance. With her reputation as a high priority to her, Graham did comment on that he didn’t make the e-mail between him and Gentry public. Xana Hermosillo called for a motion for the meeting to be adjourned and after two hours it was. Graham was contacted for a comment and declined because he wants this issue to be over with.