CAREERS

The Price of Success

Want to land a top summer internship? It'll cost you $6,000

« Return to Article

Discuss

Member Comments

  • Posted By: Siddha @ 02/09/2009 3:23:52 PM

    has anyone out there had any experience with Fast Track Internships

  • Posted By: miss.mary @ 01/18/2009 12:08:50 AM

    University of Dreams does cost "a bit" but as you mentioned, so does a good college, or a semester travelling abroad provided from the university. But this option does not only give the students a nice job, it gives the student a large group of motivate peers to add to their network, acclaimed guest speakers they can ask for advice, and all expense-paid excursions to sites and entertainment in the city that other programs don't include but are usually paid for anyways, such as city tours. The experience gained is well worth the money. But if money is a problem, there are payment plans and a few scholoarships are awared by University of Dreams every year to the most motivated dreamers.

    I participated in the London program even though the money was a big issue for me. (I was working two jobs during a semester to pay bills.) The next summer I enjoyed it so much I worked as a paid summer staffer in their San Fransisco program. I am now a Peace Corps volunteer and I still apply the things I learned then to the work I do now. I still talk to participants and staff from both years.

  • Posted By: miss.mary @ 01/18/2009 12:07:52 AM

    University of Dreams does cost "a bit" but as you mentioned, so does a good college, or a semester travelling abroad provided from the university. But this option does not only give the students a nice job, it gives the student a large group of motivate peers to add to their network, acclaimed guest speakers they can ask for advice, and all expense-paid excursions to sites and entertainment in the city that other programs don't include but are usually paid for anyways, such as city tours. The experience gained is well worth the money. But if money is a problem, there are payment plans and a few scholoarships are awared by University of Dreams every year to the most motivated dreamers.

    I participated in the London program even though the money was a big issue for me. (I was working two jobs during a semester to pay bills.) The next summer I enjoyed it so much I worked as a paid summer staffer in their San Fransisco program. I am now a Peace Corps volunteer and I still apply the things I learned then to the work I do now. I still talk to participants and staff from both years.

  • Posted By: cab1 @ 01/14/2008 7:48:42 PM

    I decided to enroll in the University of Dreams for several reasons, the main one being the internship of course. When reading through the information that the University of Dreams provides it almost sounds too good to be true. An internship of your choice, in the city of your choice, and the list goes on and on. However, the saying "it's too good to be true" shouldn't really exist, if you want it to be the summer of a lifetime the University of Dreams provides you with everything needed to make that happen. The program did several things for me it showed me what it is like to not only work in a big city, but to live in a big city. The experience gained can't be put into words, it can't be taught, but the best way to put it is after college graduation many students have high aspirations and want to move to the next big city and be the next big thing. This program provides the students the ability to gain life experience while being guided by the program and the staff.

  • Posted By: innovation @ 01/05/2008 11:56:08 AM

    Corporations are always short-staffed and there are always opportunities for enterprising youngsters, especially those who are willing to work for free. For the kids reading this comment, try surfing the job boards of the company you are interested in working for (narrow your focus to 2-3 companies and push hard) and try to discern which parts of the company seem to be the most desperate (especially for entry-level hires) and then network or live.com search your way to a name in that part of the company (FInance, HR, whatever) and then send a carefully crafted resume and cover letter directly to that person by mail (not e-mail). Maybe I should write a blog entry on this, in the meantime, check out my personal innovation article: http://www.business-strategy-innovation.com/2007/10/commodity-marketplace-for-employees.html

  • Posted By: dboeke @ 01/03/2008 12:53:09 PM

    Uncommon Wisdom Inc. Has a much better Opportunity Call for more information 1 800 947 4258

  • Posted By: jdnelms @ 01/03/2008 2:20:05 AM

    As a working class University of Texas student back in 1987, I applied as an intern to the Dallas Morning News. I was told that they did not accept 'local' students and preferred applicant's from other states. I however was determined to impress them with the skills that I had learned from my years at the student publication and was awared a part time job to test me. After 2 hard months, I received a call that I had been chosen for the internship because of my hard work and determination. After a successful internship, I was hired full time right out of college, despite the terrible recession that kept many graduates out of good jobs during the 80's.

    How wonderful it is to see that today, some spoiled brat with wealth can now buy his or her way into an internship regardless of if they deserve it or not.

  • Posted By: jdnelms @ 01/03/2008 2:17:02 AM

    As a working class University of Texas student back in 1987, I applied as an intern to the Dallas Morning News. I was told that they did not accept 'local' students and preferred applicant's from other states. I however was determined to impress them with the skills that I had learned from my years at the student publication and was awared a part time job to test me. After 2 hard months, I received a call that I had been chosen for the internship because of my hard work and determination. After a successful internship, I was hired full time right out of college, despite the terrible recession that kept many graduates out of good jobs during the 80's.

    How wonderful it is to see that today, some spoiled brat with wealth can now buy his or her way into an internship regardless of if they deserve it or not.

  • Posted By: etexidor @ 01/02/2008 12:31:24 PM

    I guess this continues to prove in America. You have your "in" crowd and "out" crowd. I think it just broadens the gap of the haves and have notts. Which I believe is not healthy for the long run. No longer cream rising to the top just greenbacks. But then again what's new?

  • Posted By: Markwri @ 12/30/2007 5:05:06 PM

    Needless to say, the resumes towards the top of the heap so to speak may not represent as much true talent then.
    That means for true hires, one will look past those less DREAMY resumes...hopefully to a hire a REAL deal ( someone who might have a clue on how to EARN money. Because that's what that someone is going to be doing for Your company ).

  • Posted By: JustYourAveragePerson @ 12/30/2007 4:12:37 PM

    It would be interesting to see if top innovation companies like Google hire out of these services. I suppose a few people hired into a large company this way wouldn't make a big difference, but is there a point at which a firm begins to lose the edge by hiring from a limited applicant pool? I've attended two (free!) business camps in high school and I'm convinced that employees are like links in a chain; your company is only as strong as the weakest link. I realize that connections and networking matters wherever you go to work. But I wonder if paying one's way too success is part of a larger inequality problem in America.

  • Posted By: Kathleenh @ 12/28/2007 6:07:28 PM

    We love to pay lip service in this country to everyone having an equal playing field. It certainly is not the case. As the US becomes ever more elitist, it will almost certainly pay a price in terms of excellence in medical, legal and other fields. Great civilizations met with their downfall due to the prevalence of the practice of nepotism and other forms of elitism. The US will follow suit one day if this continues.

  • Posted By: RockGirlMN @ 12/28/2007 2:37:34 PM

    Oh OK, so the internship is snagged for you, you get toted there daily and fed prepared meals. My dad is a gas station manager and I worked my ass off waiting tables to pay for college for the last five years and now I am trying to get into medical school and let me tell you, if I had the money to pay someone 1000 dollars or more to do the apps for me I would. It's a nightmare. Just another example of the rich getting rich and the poor getting tread upon. How are you supposed to work your way up in a society like this?? American Dream? Yeah RIGHT!!

  • Posted By: bohemion42 @ 12/28/2007 12:06:07 PM

    I think this is just awful. There are many hardworking students out there whose parents want the best for them who can't afford such an option. As services like these continue to grow what happens to the ones who might be well suited for such internships but whose meager pocketbooks will leave them out in the cold. Like one writer stated, it has and always will be about who not what you know. and yet a battle was waged against affirmative action!

  • Posted By: jablan @ 12/27/2007 11:57:59 PM

    This article doesn't include any of the other items included in with the University of Dreams tuition.

    The program tuition covers:
    8 Week Summer Housing
    Meal plan at campus dining hall
    Six planned organized weekend activities
    Career and life coaching through our Summer Intern Seminar Series
    A professionally revised resume
    Expert interview coaching
    Daily transportation to and from work
    Professional staff assistance
    Welcome dinner / Orientation / Graduation event
    Visa Sponsorship (J1 Visa candidates only)
    Work Permit for U.S. students attending International Programs
    Academic Course Credit

    When you add this all up it's certainly more then just an internship!!!

  • Posted By: PoppyLaws @ 12/27/2007 3:48:12 PM

    This makes me sick...

    As a recent college grad of an Ivy League school, I am now barely paying my bills...why? Because I earned my education (through scholarships), but still have no connections. I've been trying to explain for years that it isn't how hard you work, but who you know (or in this case, who you can buy off) and was chastised by promises of the American Dream. I take no pleasure in finally being proven right.

Reply

Report Abuse

Enter comments if any for reporting abuse