Dear Readers,

    I’ve taken a short hiatus from this column; please excuse my tardiness. However, I have not been entirely unproductive in my time away.

    To give you a brief update, I’ve conquered my four final examinations, started my summer vacation, caught up on some leisurely reading and started to prepare for my summer internship in New York. Speaking of which, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to dwell on this last topic for a bit, given its high importance in the university careers of almost every Princeton student.

    Summer internships are considered to be the stepping stones toward one’s desired occupation and industry. Some students may also opt for internships during the school year, but for academic reasons most Princetonians wait until the summer to find work.

    Internships are not the same as full-time jobs. Interns generally work fewer hours than employees, have less responsibility, and of course are understandably paid less as well.

    The internship period, which generally lasts for eight to 10 weeks, is equivalent to a “trial period” in which interns are given tasks to display their capabilities. This allows employers to determine whether or not the interns are a good “fit” and a potential asset for their firm.

    Summer internships differ from firm to firm, yet almost all employers can agree that they are “like face-to-face interviews on a daily basis for a straight two months.”

    Well, I start my internship this coming week and although it won’t be my first summer as an intern, I am still very excited at the opportunity and expect to learn a lot, as well as contribute what I can.

    Wish me luck! And the same for you for whatever you have planned for the coming summer.

    Sincerely, Laiyin