Students will reflect on their summer internships today at the internship poster presentation from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. in the Lumpkin Student Lounge.

Interns will be at their presentation area from 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. to share their experiences.

Renee Stroud, School of Business internship coordinator, said she made it a requirement for students who got the internships to participate in the internship poster presentation.

“Last year, we decided to try adding a poster presentation for the students who got summer internships,” Stroud said.

Summer internships not only boost resumes but also help students learn lessons they would not have learned in the classroom.

Adam Radochonski, a senior management major, interned for RR Donnelley, a Fortune 500 commercial print company based in Chicago.

“Remedial tasks may not be glamorous, but they are essential to a company, and your boss and co-workers will be impressed if you help them out,” Radochonski said.

Students approaching graduation day have to realize top jobs in big markets are hard to come by. Menial tasks may not be avoidable for young talent, especially in this job market.

Cole Dixson, a senior management major, worked for the Pepsi Bottling Company in Las Vegas.

“Eastern has taught (me) how to manage effectively, and with this internship, I was able to take those lessons I have learned and execute them properly within the corporation,” Dixson said.

Student interns can apply what they have learned at Eastern and use it in a corporate setting.

A strong work ethic will not only help students in their classes, but will prepare them for their near future, Stroud said.

“The internship poster presentations help students reflect on what they have learned, helps the other students learn about internships and their benefits, and these student interns help our faculty,” she said.

Many companies have student interns because they will work for free. This not only saves money but gives them access to up-and-coming workers.

“Apply, apply, apply,” Radochonski said. “It’s important to reach out to multiple employers. The more internships you apply for, the higher the odds someone will call you back.”

Due to the current economic conditions, Radochonski and Dixson said they feel internships are crucial in this type of job market.

Michael Rosinia can be reached at marosinia@eiu.edu or 581-7942