The Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct Student Advisory Committee is welcoming at-large members. The advisory committee is a collaboration between students and the staff most closely involved in matters related to sexual and interpersonal misconduct on campus. The committee is co-chaired by Title IX Coordinator Katie Overberg and Violence Prevention Coordinator Lynne Cornelius.

In addition to at-large members, the committee includes several standing positions such as Student Senate, Fraternity & Sorority Life, Residence Hall Association, and Athletics. Last year the committee provided valuable input and feedback regarding webpage development, online reporting, prevention programing and strategies, and University policy language.

The committee will hold three or four official meetings throughout the year. Committee members will also have the opportunity to offer feedback and input on projects. If you are interested in serving as an at-large member, please contact Katie Overberg at titleix@drake.edu by Sept. 14. For questions about the advisory committee, contact Katie or Lynne.

Define the Line. Respect the Line. is a Drake initiative to raise awareness of prevention efforts as well as resources and support the University provides as it pertains to sexual and interpersonal misconduct. Define the Line. Respect the Line. emphasizes that while everybody has the right to determine their own line, there is one clear line at Drake: sexual or interpersonal misconduct is not tolerated, accepted, or ignored. Think, talk, learn, listen, and act in a way that respects this line—we are all part of Drake.

— Katie Overberg, Title IX Coordinator; and Lynne Cornelius, Violence Prevention Coordinator

The campus bookstore now has an even bigger and better online store for Drake merchandise: shop.drake.edu. You’ll find the largest selection of Drake apparel and merchandise at great prices with brands such as Adidas, Columbia and Under Armour. For a limited time, orders of more than $35 come with a free T-shirt, and orders of more than $50 receive free shipping. Check it out and Go Bulldogs!

Nate Reagen, Office of the President

Drake will equip you with the know-how you need within a classroom, but you need to complement that with “real-world” experience. To get that, you need an internship (or your field’s equivalent) to pad out your resume. Here’s how to hunt one out yourself or spot one in the wild.

The resource with the most postings across all majors and position types is Handshake. Fill out your profile—the more information the better—and the site will match your personal preferences with employers looking for someone with your skills. I’ll admit my profile is only half-filled out, but already I’ve been amazed at the sheer number of opportunities available through the site. And, I could apply to any of them with a click of my mouse.

Another place to look is social media. I don’t know about other departments, but the J-School is killer at using Facebook to advertise available internships. Follow your school or major on social media to watch for postings. View the Drake social media directory.

Also, use your advisors and professors. Pick their brains after class. Professors usually have their ears to the ground and might hook you up or have opportunities for you themselves.

Finally, never say no to an opportunity and always be open to what might fall into your lap. I’ve had four internships and I got three of them by happenstance. Freshman year my roommate wanted to go to a writing internship orientation and didn’t want to go alone. I came along and left with an internship. The next year, I got an internship through an interview I did for a Times Delphic story. I interviewed someone in the University Communications & Marketing department, which led to an interview for an Editorial internship (and I’m still here). My other current internship I got—no joke—because the communications and grant coordinator came through my line at Hy-Vee this summer, where I was a cashier. I recognized her organization and asked about internship opportunities. That led to an interview and that led to an internship.

However, there is one thing you always need to say no to: unpaid internships that won’t teach you anything. They’re a big waste of your time. Never sign on to an unpaid internship that will only teach you what kind of coffee your supervisor likes.

That being said, don’t count out unpaid internships. My summer internship with the Iowa International Center was unpaid, but I learned a lot and got a first-hand look at how communications works in nonprofits.  A friend had a summer paid internship where she was doing a lot of time-consuming, menial tasks. Whenever we compared our workdays, my internship always “won.” With unpaid internships, you can usually choose your work hours, so you can match your unpaid internship with a part-time or full-time paid job. You have to pay your student loans somehow.

Nevertheless, the best way to pay back those loans is with a great, well-paying job after Drake. To do that, you need a well-rounded resume. How do you get that? Internships.

Ellen Koester, University Communications & Marketing Intern, JO’19, AS’19