A Good Time to Intern

The overall job market may be tough, but it's a good time to be a college student looking for an internship. CNN Money says companies are using internships as a way to build up their entry-level staffs - and get some work done cheaply. Of course, "cheap" is a relative term: Interns can make thousands of dollars over the summer, since they're making respectable money.

Students are looking for internships even after their first year," said Sheila Curran, executive director of Duke University's career center, noting that 88% of Duke students graduate with at least one internship under their belts. "It's become expected that you'd have at least one internship during college."

Jim Duffy, who just finished his junior year at the University of Notre Dame, had his pick of three offers this summer. An accounting major with a minor in German, he chose KPMG International in part because the accounting firm will send him to its office in Dusseldorf, Germany, for four weeks. He's looking forward to working both with KPMG's clients and employees.

"It's a great way to get experience and to network with professionals at different levels," said Duffy, a Philadelphia native.

KPMG plans to hire 1,500 summer interns this year, and offer jobs to most after they graduate.

Hard to find a job, but not an internship [CNN]