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Internship Frustration/Advice?

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tailrustedtealeaf:
I'm a marketing major in my third year of college. I just transferred from community to my current school, which I commute from home for an hour and a half to get to each day. I really should be getting a summer internship, but I am having trouble in a few realms.
First, I don't live in a super out-of-the-way area, but it's no city. I don't want to travel into the city for it, and there are a good amount of offices in my area that I feel should have something. I am just having trouble finding one that 1. Is for the summer and 2. That I am qualified for. Ugh.
Second, I understand that the point of an internship is to absorb knowledge. That's the whole point and why it's not a job, but I fear that I am underqualified. I have yet to take more than one class that's marketing specific and am mostly chipping away at my business requirements. I just fear that I'll make a fool of myself.
Last...I am not a great interview person. My last interview for any job was when I was 16, I am 20 now. I must be a good employee because I was promoted, but I fear that my so-so GPA and lack of interview experience will disqualify me.
And it feels like the deadline is approaching but it's not even summer yet? Sigh. I know it's good to get in early but I just can't really deal with finals and applications at the same time. My Dad offered to send my resume and cover letter (which have yet to be created) to people he works with but everything just feels like a lot to deal with right now. I don't know. Ughhh.
Has anyone here had an internship for a related position before and has input? My coworker who is at the same level of schooling as me is not seeking an internship, and I always seek company in struggling.

Galactica:
I would sacrifice for the internship.  Make time to apply for them even if you have to sacrifice personal time or sleep or weekend.  Make it a priority- you will thank yourself later.

If getting to the location is too hard- than rent an apartment closer.  Take out a student loan if you have to.  The more of an edge that you can get now, the better.  New grads in almost every field are next to useless (I'm afraid) but if you have any experience at all - you are more likely to at least get your foot in the door somewhere.

I have a cousin who passed up an intership offer when he was close to graduating- it was too far away and didn't pay what he thought he was worth.  That was 5 years ago and he is long since graduated and still unemployed...

tailrustedtealeaf:
I worry about being away from home because of my dietary restrictions, but maybe I'll look into getting a train pass or something.  :drunk: Bah, so expensive, but I am so close to Philly so I think it should be worth it in the end if I really can't find one here.

SaraMari:
I may not be the best to help out 1. because I think internships are a gross way to extract labor without compensation (ask any artist, exposure doesn't pay the bills) and 2. I never had one

however, I would like to say I can understand how some may be interested in internships, especially those who have never worked before. It may have been some time since your last interview but you have done them, so you already know you can get a job with your interview skills. There are many great websites that have tips about interviewing. The keys to a good interview are appearance (sadly), confidence in knowing you have what the employer wants (ie your labor power) and asking good questions about the company (easily achieved via googling).

I never took an internship, and my degree and work experience weren't what got me into my career, it was my personal experience. Don't stress too much. It's very hard for people to get living wage jobs nowadays, entry level jobs want masters degree and 5 years of experience (eye roll) focus on opportunities that excited you, networking and developing your skills and experience both in school/work and outside

tikibirds:
The only internship I did was for the Disney college program and that had NOTHING to do with my major - History. Of course, my degree has nothing to do with my current job - Teaching English in China.

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