i spy things DC

DC has had quite a perilous week. We have been flooded with sensationalized warnings about Hurricane Earl, the Discovery Channel headquarters were attacked by a crazy person, and (pause) fisherman found an 8 FOOT BULL SHARK IN THE POTOMAC.

pictures via Washington Post

WHAT???? I don’t know why there isn’t more coverage of this. Shark Week loyalists know that the bull shark is aggressive, responsible for most shark attack deaths, and can tolerate freshwater. It has been found in rivers as far inland as Indiana. Now, there is the counterargument that the bull shark was only in the DC region because it heard SHARK WEEK was under attack. This is very plausible. However, knowing we have sharks where I paddle around is not preferred. SPY is not a strong swimmer.

Simultaneously, mankind, not to be outdone by mother nature, also proved themselves absurdly dangerous to DC residents. On Tuesday, the Washington Post ran this headline, “Mistakes rise for area air traffic controllers.” This was the first line of that article:

Onboard systems intended to keep airliners from colliding in midair have been triggered more than 45 times this year in the skies over Washington as air traffic controllers have made dangerous mistakes at a record-setting pace.

The U.S. loves winning, but I think (even for us) this is a record we should pass on. The Post cites different reasons for the trend, including the consolidation the DC radar system into one building for all three DC airports, the retiring of senior controllers, and stricter scrutiny by watchdog organizations.

safety first

However, no matter the reason, trends like this are TERRIFYING. When asked which was more terrifying, aggressive freshwater sharks or airplane mistakes, I wasn’t sure. SO, I throw the question to you dear readers:

Pretty crazy day in the  DC area, no?  A clearly deranged environmental fanatic (who is also strangely anti-immigration) has (allegedly) taken a hostage at the  Discovery Channel’s downtown Silver Spring headquarters. Details are still very murky, but his “demands” can be viewed here (update: looks like his site either crashed or was taken down. You can view the manifesto here)

Anti-immigration?

While we won’t bother posting the entire diatribe, here are a few choice sections: Continue Reading »

Yesterday the Washington Post ran the headline “More would-be interns paying thousands to land a coveted spot.” Yes, students are paying for the chance to work for free. I can’t say that I am surprised. The battle for undergrad internship experience has escalated markedly since I was in college. It seems my old summer job at the record store and my dad’s business, both of which paid minimum wage, just don’t provide enough “experience” to build an undergrad student’s resume anymore.

well what about your RESUME?

With so many students angling for volunteer positions at prestigious insitutions  it’s no surprise that organizations have appeared to provide a leg up for a small fee. The Post reports that these so-called internship NGOs are numerous. One organization, the Fund for American Studies, is in a Dupont mansion right near my apartment. It seems to be doing quite well, as anyone affiliated with the currently dismal college job market assumes it would.

Nice digs (Fund for American Studies)

However, unlike the Post, I am not as angered by the internship-seeking NGOs. These organizations, like expensive tutoring or test-prep services, are opportunists. They have identified a lucrative client and built a business around it, offering secondary helpful services like housing and safety advice. Yes, I will concede that their NGO status represents a more slippery slope in terms of the services they provide and the compensation of their board members, however I do not take issue with this general opportunism. It’s the capitalist way.

Mr. Lebowski's Urban Achievers

The real issue to me is the race for this  undergraduate internship “experience.” The most sought-after internships are often unpaid and competitive; seemingly built for  the financially stable  student who can take a summer off and earn no money for the sake of their resume. Like expensive test prep services, it widens the gap between the have and the have-nots.

I would also argue that internship experiences generally complement, not supercede, “normal” job experience. Leading a student club or working at the local coffeeshop cultivate different skills. The menial minimum wage job teaches discipline and respect, while the student club cultivates leadership and creativity. I know numerous students who have interned places, but never really learned how to work under a normal boss who demands respect and cares little for their personal ambitions.

Don't think his boss cared about Model UN

Now I am not saying the internship is detrimental. It helps expose the undergraduate student to a workplace they see themselves entering,  places demands on student time, and often requires significant work.  It’s just this cycle of resume building keeps perpetuating.

Once grades were not good enough, students started volunteering and leading student organizations. Once campus-centered work wasn’t good enough, students moved onto internships and fellowships. And now, seeing that an internship in and of itself isn’t good enough, students have started “founding” things. No joke. Students are “founding,” with the assistance of their parents, non-profits and community organizations.

Yikes. Articles like the one in yesterday’s Post demonstrate how badly perspective is needed. Let’s work to add some, shall we?