While first years are skipping classes and procrastinating on their work, some of the University's "mature" and "responsible" upperclassmen are slowly beginning to think about their future careers.
University Internship Program provides these students with the opportunity to get a taste of the working world.
UIP is holding internship interviews until March 2 for rising fourth years who want to intern this summer or next academic year.
"We usually have 300 to 400 students involved in our program each year," UIP Director Nancy Gansneder said.
The application process involves completing an online application form and scheduling a "match-up interview".
"The application tells us what the student is interested in, and they identify the placements they are interested in," Gansneder said. "And the interview is not a way for us to scan people, but find the best match between the organizations and the internship candidates."
There are over 250 organizations listed on UIP's online placement notebook.
"The 250 listings represent close to 400 individual placements," Gansneder said. "We have internships available in lots of different fields like business, education, health services and management. You name it, we have it."
According to Gansneder, almost all applicants get an internship.
"It is hard for Arts and Sciences students to get paid internships," she said. "This way the University protects you."
The internship candidates come from almost all departments in the College.
"We have all different kinds of majors like economics and history," Gansneder said. "But certainly the majority is psychology and sociology students because they can earn academic credit [toward their major]."
Gansneder also mentioned the five different options available to students for internships.
"Apart from the academic year, we also have four different summer programs," she said.
Interested students can pick from summer programs in Charlottesville and Washington D.C. There also is the option of an extended summer program that begins this summer and continues into the fall, as well as a "to-go" internship program.
"The to-go program is a self-initiated program that has students interning all around the world," Gansneder said.
Whether close-by or miles away, UIP does everything it can to assure a pleasant experience for students.
"We put everything we can online, so we can spend the rest of the time on one-on-one time with the students," Gansneder said.
Since its establishment in 1976, UIP has experienced nothing but satisfaction.
"Our program is hugely popular with the community," Gansneder said. "We don't recruit sponsors -- most of them come to us through the word of mouth."
During her 25-year affiliation with UIP, Gansneder has seen an intricate relationship develop between the community and the interns.
UIP applications are due Feb. 23, so why not try it if you're feeling ready to step into "the real world."
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