With technological innovations such as AOL Instant Messenger and e-mail, it comes as no surprise some UT students are finding themselves bombarded with a handful of spam e-mails in his or her school mailbox. Some offer free ringtones, Xbox gaming systems or new laptops, but on occasion some of these e-mails seem to have some importance - such as college internship opportunities.
Emily Coey, a senior majoring in communication, has been recruiting UT students for the University of Dreams summer internship program.
"I interned last summer through University of Dreams in Los Angeles, and it was amazing," Coey said.
According to Coey, the company offers internships in places such as New York City, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as several locations out of the country.
"It's an amazing opportunity to get experience in your major or to explore other industries." Coey said.
Coey has been recruiting UT students since September 2006 for the eight-week program and currently has a group on Facebook.com called "I don't want to have another boring summer."
Although Coey will vouch for University of Dreams, Assistant Director of Career Services Jean Baker said some internship Internet sites are scams.
"If you see a Web site that asks you for money, don't do it," Baker said.
An e-mail recently sent to UT students concerning internship opportunities might have looked like the typical spam e-mail to some. The e-mail was sent by The Campus Special, and it offered a paid four-day conference in Atlanta. Although students on The Campus Special's Web site vouched for the services offered, a representative for the site refused comment.
The Career Services office also offers a wide array of internship opportunities to its students.
"If I know an employer is looking for a certain major, I send an e-mail to the contact person in each college and ask them to pass that on to students," Baker said.
Students are also able to launch their career as an intern is by using CareerTrak, according to Baker. CareerTrak, the Web-based program provided by the Career Services office, contains a list of potential employers available for registered students and alumni of UT.
According to Baker, UT Career Services will do its best to try and find internships according to the student's major.
"I haven't had any internships with UT, but I do see publicity in the UT Daily [e-mails] all the time," said Emily Pallotta, a sophomore majoring in secondary education.
"Anybody who's thinking about internships first needs to check with their college to see what's required," Baker said.
Almost all companies have internships available, Baker said. Students should know what they want to do and make sure they are "geographically flexible" before going through the internship process.