What should a working professional do if a prospective company or employer advises them to do an internship or a fellowship, but they have graduated from college five years ago, and already have done multiple internships and paid employment?

Anonymous

March 30,2022 at 10:57AM UTC

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What should a working professional do if a prospective company or employer advises them to do an internship or a fellowship, but they have graduated from college five years ago, and already have done multiple internships and paid employment? I attended a virtual career fair for public media (e.g. public television and public radio affiliates in the U.S. - PBS and NPR member stations). The employers represented there were telling me to do a fellowship and were suggested it multiple times. Others said, to do an internship. I currently work full-time.

What does it mean when a prospective employer continues to tell working professionals and job seekers to do an internship (s) and/or fellowships (s)? What does this say about them, especially public media? What should us working professionals do? I do not feel like I should attend any more career fairs with public media because they say this to people every year. Thank you.

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Heather CutlerMarch 30,2022 at 11:22AM UTC
What did the recruiter say when you asked them why they recommend an internship or fellowship?
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 12:12PM UTC
They say it might be something of interest. They even mention all of the available career opportunities.
TeenieMarch 30,2022 at 11:52AM UTC
Are you changing work stream ?
I don't see internships offering any value for someone with work exp in my industry. We pick up certifications, extra courses on the side ...
What industry / work area are you in? -- just saw you had listed the area. Is your current work in the same area ?
Maybe try finding someone via linkedin who is in the exact firm and then get more insight into this direction
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 12:14PM UTC
I am not changing work stream. I have a full-time job in communications. My current work is in the same area of communications.
Yvonne LoorijMarch 30,2022 at 12:03PM UTC
Where you able to articulate your current level of experience & skill to the recruiters?
Did they mention anything about what kind of roles they offer and the specific requirements for those roles?
It might be just a mismatch in terms of the audience they were targeting (inexperienced graduates) for these events.
Recruiters also have targets, so they may just have been looking for as many (fellowship/internship) applications as possible.
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 12:19PM UTC
Yes, I did articulate my experience and skill set. The prospective employers just list all of the opportunities they currently have available, but did not speak further on the jobs and what they are looking for.
Some of them directed professionals and job seekers to their their careers website.
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 12:47PM UTC
Do you applicable experience and training in public media? Now I would understand if you had a pr or
Media degree and no public media experience but if you have that experience why would you need to intern when you already have experience in public media,
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 3:52PM UTC
I have working experience in media through an news outlet (s).
Please revisit original poster.
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 12:52PM UTC
move on
Kelly HammerMarch 30,2022 at 1:53PM UTC
I'm not sure that's the answer. She's hearing it multiple times. This leads me to believe that they feel that there is a gap in experience somewhere. It makes more sense to investigate what that is and fill that gap. Maybe it means working at a smaller news bureau to get that experience.
Cheryl NeasMarch 30,2022 at 1:39PM UTC
The next time you are told that, find out what “holes” in your experience they think an internship or fellowship would fill. Is it specific skills? Experience at a particular kind of workplace? A portfolio? Then you can look for other ways to be sure to get that experience in your paid work or volunteering.
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 3:34PM UTC
I am currently working full-time (full-time paid employment) and have a portfolio and volunteered and internships in the past.
Cheryl NeasMarch 30,2022 at 5:28PM UTC
Okay, but that still might not be giving you the skills you need for whatever it is you are looking to do next.
You are right that you probably shouldn't attend career fairs that aren't resulting in either jobs you want to pursue or career advice you find useful.
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 6:15PM UTC
Thank you.
KatMarch 30,2022 at 1:54PM UTC
Did they know you weren't a recent grad? Are you already in public media or is this a career switch? If you're already working in public media (not something adjacent to it, like admin/management at a public media outlet), then the recruiters needed to know that and adjust their pitch. If you're switching careers, then you'll need some kind of experience in public media to get started in that field. Internships and fellowships are the typical way to get entry level experience, so that's why it's suggested. If you don't plan to go back to school for this (which is the source for most internships/fellowships) then you're going to have to do some work on your own. Volunteer at a local public radio station to learn how it all works. Network with people who work in local public media to find out more about the field. Most public radio stations have a friends/supporters group to help raise funds and do other things to support the station. Join that group for the experience and the contacts. It may not be easy with a full time job, but it can be done. Once you get some experience and contacts in the area, you'll be able to move into the field full time with the background you need.
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 3:35PM UTC
I am not a recent grad nor am I switching careers at this time. I am currently working full-time in the industry.
KatMarch 30,2022 at 11:18PM UTC
Then you were at the wrong type of job fair, or a poorly designed one. That was clearly aimed at new grads, not experienced professionals. As others have said, it's time to network. Get to industry events, connect on LinkedIn, etc. Have your network look at your resume to see any gaps or experience you might still need to advance your career.
AnonymousMarch 31,2022 at 1:48AM UTC
The wrong one indeed when it comes to public media. Thank you. I will stop going to PBS/NPR public media career fairs.
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 3:23PM UTC
I mean this will all due respect but something isn't making sense about this narrative. With previous internship and work experience, something is missing in this equation. Are these jobs that are in a different field? Or has your employment history been spotty?
I would also challenge you to think about your pitch to these recruiters, to help redirect them to something that is permanent and that pays! Are you continuing to engage in conversations about internships? Curious as to why you're not just saying: I've already benefited from internships, I'm now seeking full time employment.
If the employer isn't able to offer you full time employment, cut your losses and move on!
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 3:41PM UTC
I have said something similar to that effect that I have completed internships and seeking full-time employment opportunities. The prospective employers continues to repeatedly suggest internships and fellowship roles to entry-levels professionals, especially those currently working full-time.
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 5:22PM UTC
There really does seem to be something missing here. Are you having any one-on-one conversations where the employers are telling YOU specifically that, based on your experience and skills, you should consider an internship? Or was this a general session at a career fair for which the general advice was to secure one of these jobs through an internship?
I think it is possible than many public media stations hire early-career professionals who work at THAT outlet as an intern first, which may be what they were trying to convey.
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 6:14PM UTC
The suggestions of internships and fellowships is being said in one-on-one conversations.
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 5:58PM UTC
PBS & NPR are notoriously very heavily networked and you usually need to be connected with people who work there and are themselves heavily connected throughout the organizations.
Its been my experience that its super hard to get in for any open positions because everyone that works there is trying to get their contacts in for job interviews. Even the serious internship programs are extraordinarily difficult to land because they work through the top schools for their program candidates.
I would reach out to your network for possible connections to get you an introduction.
Good luck.
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 6:05PM UTC
Yes, this is what I've heard as well and explains the messaging that the OP received. It's very much like the film industry that way. The independent production houses don't use recruiters because everyone and their brother wants a foot in the door. You have Harvard and Yale grads taking minimum wage jobs just to get in.
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 6:12PM UTC
I am talking about the local PBS and NPR stations across America . Not the network.
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 6:12PM UTC
I am talking about the local PBS and NPR stations across America . Not the network.
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 7:13PM UTC
Something is missing in your presentation or resume that you would hear this advice multiple times. You are missing something.
If you were presenting the skills, education and experience you would not be hearing the same comments.
I would lean heavily on your industry network and ask them why you are hearing this and what you lack.
I would also conduct some unformational interviews with industry people that hols the position you are looking for. They would be the best source of advice and direction and could help you narrow down why you are heating this from multiple sources.
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 8:08PM UTC
Non-Public Media Stations (commercial news stations) neither suggest nor recommend internships nor fellowships. They recommend people to find paid employment somewhere.
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 7:19PM UTC
A working professional should network with all her contacts in the industry. Especially in media, networking is how you'll get your next job.
With 5 years and 2 jobs in media under your belt, you have a goldmine of contacts si I would stay away from the job fairs. They seem to recognize your value.
AnonymousMarch 31,2022 at 3:48PM UTC
Would that be paid?
If not, it's "condescending" to dismiss your established talents. Someone wanting free labor perhaps?
Emily KeiperApril 2,2022 at 12:05AM UTC
Let it roll off your back. You know your talents, skill sets, professional history. They hardly know you and it seems like they aren’t active listeners. Also, if it happens every year, that means they obviously haven’t learned to be better in this area. Move on from it and stay confident lady! Your talents are endless! :)