12B • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
STUDENTLIFF
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2003
Internships give students skills in jobs, networking
By Kadi Kerr
By Kait Ken
correspondence@kansan.com
Kansan correspondent
Justin Lillich appeared reedyed and groggy Monday morning, like he'd been drinking all night.
However, Lillieh, Kansas City, Kan., senior, had actually just flown back from Boston, where he interviewed Adam Sandler for Maxim magazine.
Lillich is one of many University of Kansas students who has spent summers and school years working at highprofile internships.
Lillich has been a freelance writer for Maxim since he was 18.
"An English teacher in high school turned me on to writing," Lillich said, "She had a nephew who used to work for the magazine and that kind of fast-tracked me into the job."
Networking also proved influential in landing a job for Janie Gist, Omaha, Neb., senior, at Bragman Nyman Cafarelli Public Relations and Marketing, one of the largest public relations firms on the West Coast.
Gist acquired the internship through a friend of a friend who worked for the company. She was one of six unpaid interns that Bragman picks each year to learn about public relations.
For two months last summer, Gist lived in Los Angeles, coordinating celebrities' event schedules for the company.
Both Lillich and Gist enjoyed the perks of working with celebrities in their jobs.
"I had to open fan mail and gifts from designers." Gist said. "I got so many celebrity gifts it was unreal."
Lillich flew to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, to interview Sammy Hagar and to Colorado during winter break to shadow the Colorado Rescue Ski Team, part of a profile piece on one of the toughest jobs in the world.
Molly McMurray, St. Joseph, Mo., junior, hoped her connections would help her land a White House internship.
McMurray's best friend was a White House intern last
"I had to open fan mail and gifts from designers.I got so many celebrity gifts it was unreal."
Janie Gist
Omaha, Neb., senior, and former intern for Braggman Nynnam Cafarelli
Public Relations and Marketing
summer and gave her the idea of applying.
After filling out a lengthy application and getting three recommendations, McMurray, a political science major, interviewed with a representative by phone.
The interviewer asked McMurray whether she voted for the president and why she wanted to work in the office of a public liaison.
"My heart was pounding a little," McMurray said. "Especially when I got the message on my phone saying the White House had called."
McMurray felt her work with the Student Legislative Awareness Board and her previous internship at a law firm would help her get the job.
She said the glamour of working at the White House wasn't what made her apply
"It's not about being in a high profile job, but for me it's more about going out there and working as hard as I can," she said.
Gist and McMurray agreed that an internship was helpful for a successful career in their fields.
Gist said she learned the most by being in a professional environment where she listened and watched her bosses work.
She said connections. confidence and a little knowledge of the company were helpful tools to land a job or internship.
"People in human resources get so many applications," Gist said. "Call the person in the company whose position you want to do because they have such a stronger voice than you ever will."
Edited by Christy Den durent
Risky underage drinking persists
By Mindy Osborne
correspondence@kansan.com
Kansan correspondent
Bv.Mindv Osborne
A mosaic of confiscated driver's licenses, both real and fake, covers a wall at Louise's Downtown, 1009 Massachusetts St. Drinking alcohol remains a popular activity for students, including those younger than 21.
Aaron Showalter/Kansan
The battle lines have been drawn for quite sometime in the perpetually heated issue of underage drinking. While those who oppose it have the law on theirside, some thirsty minors are still determined to drink.
The issue is even more prevalent in Lawrence, considering much less than half the students here are 21 and every block seems to have a liquor store or bar.
So why do these young adults cling so dearly to their Jack Daniels and Jose Cuervos? And who exactly composes this body of law breakers?
From hippies to sorority girls, it's a broad range of students who have one common goal: to have fun.
In a survey distributed at Corbin Residence Hall for this story, the 50 students who responded each said they drank and had been doing so since at least high school.
The results also showed that most respondents went out three to four nights a week, drank all of those nights and either went to bars, friends' houses or fraternities. An overwhelming majority possessed a fake ID.
There were many different answers as to why underaged
When asked how they obtained one, the response was either from a friend, an ID store or a relative.
the group "Drinking is part of the college experience," Jesse White, Winfield freshman said. "I don't have a fake ID but it's bad because that's what the social scene revolves around at KU."
One respondent said they obtained one when finding it on the ground at a bar.
"Drinking is part of the college experience."
Jesse White
Winfield freshman
people drank. From, "to be social" to "it's fun and I like how it feels" to "hang out and chill" and even "to keep up with my boyfriend."
But not everyone feels that drinking is necessary to have fun. Megan Fox, Woodlands, Texas, freshman, said alcohol was not for her.
"My family has a history of alcoholism." Fox said. "I've seen what it can do to people and how it can destroy their lives and I don't want to be a part of that."
Despite the fact that those who don't drink are more of a minority on campus, there are still many organizations on campus to persuade students otherwise, such as Greeks Advocating Mature Management of Alcohol (GAMMA) and Hawk Nights.
Another project in the works is the Alcohol Education Work Group, headed by Diana Robertson, assistant director of student housing.
Formed last fall at the request of the interim vice provost of student affairs, the group meets weekly and is gathering information to start a comprehensive alcohol education program for residential areas at KU.
While still in the planning stages, Robertson said the group was realistic about issues related to alcohol and wanted to promote moderation and group safety.
The biggest opponent of underage drinking is the police force. Lt. Schuyler Bailey of the KU Police Department said they
fought underage' drinking through both education and enforcement.
"We begin early at New Student Orientation, where we outline the ramifications and information concerning underage drinking." Bailey said. "We also provide literature on the Boulevard during Hawk Nights and are available for any group presentation."
As for the enforcement side, the University of Kansas Drug and Alcohol policy outlines,"It is illegal for anyone under 21 years of age to possess, purchase attempt to purchase or consume alcoholic liquor anywhere within the state."
If the law is broken, the offender risks a fine between $300 to $600, a court date, probation and diversion.
Edited by Ryan Wood
Bar jobs offer flexibility and spare cash
Bartenders trade partying for tips
By Melissa Catron
correspondence@kansan.com
Kansan correspondent
Not all college students out at the bars are on the party wagon.
Some students inhale the smoke as they serve other students the nightly special. Bartending offers flexible hours and good pay making it an ideal job for college students.
Chris Sams, McPherson senior,
is a bartender at its Brothers
Bar & Grill, 1105 Massachusetts
St. He said bartending was a great job although it does mean giving up a night or two of partying
Although Sams works two different jobs, his flexible schedule allows him to juggle his schedule well.
Many bartenders get their jobs by seniority. Eli Augustine, Shawnee senior, works at The Library, 729 Massachusetts St.
He said he had to work two and a half years at the bar before he was offered the bartender position. Augustine began working the door as a bouncer and slowly moved his way up. He said the job he had now was his favorite.
"It is the best college job," Augustine said.
Not all bartenders have to start at the bottom, however.
Tracy Portnoy, Chicago senior is also a bartender at The Library. She said she was hired without much training to man the bar but said her situation was rare.
"I was hired as a bartender. There wasn't really any training, but most bars you work your way up," she said.
Even though it's difficult for most people to become bartenders, starting at the bottom is worth it for the money.
Bartenders can make any
where between $30 to $200 a night, depending on how busy the bar is.
Sams is graduating in May and plans on saving his money for a trip to Europe. Portnoy uses her money on food, clothes and alcohol.
Both bartenders said that the job was great, but what makes it better was when people remember that most of the money they earn doesn't come from their paychecks.
As the jar on the bar counter reads, "Don't forget to tip you bartenders."
— Edited by Michelle Burhenn
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