Topic: Internships

The traditional apprenticeship model has largely been replaced by internships, which are frequently unpaid and sometimes exploited for college credit without providing real skills. Personal anecdotes about blacksmithing and paper routes illustrate a shift from rigorous on-the-job training to a system where interns may not even show up for work. This transition is cited as a contributing factor to the current "unemployability" of some younger workers.

A news segment on ABC Nightly News about an Apple Watch saving a teenager's life is identified as a "sketchy native ad." The story features a 17-year-old whose watch alerted him to a high resting heart rate, leading to a diagnosis of organ failure. The hosts highlight the "kicker" that the boy was rewarded with an internship at Apple, suggesting the entire story was a coordinated marketing effort.

The Fremont Police Department is seeking approval for a high-tech surveillance system including license plate readers. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton's speech at the Clinton Global Initiative regarding corporate internships is criticized for its lack of emotion and "nervous" laughter.

A 16-year-old listener sent his first-ever check along with a longhand letter, explaining he chose to donate his summer internship earnings to the show instead of the Red Cross. The importance of maintaining the skill of writing in longhand is discussed. The segment ends on a somber note, offering "karma" to the show's Welsh sysadmin whose mother recently passed away from cancer.

The show reviews several "internship" applications from listeners, including a former Jeopardy winner who won $36,000. Applicant Ashley Hurst is highlighted for her diverse resume, which includes running an Etsy shop, building a cabin on San Juan Island, and catering high-end events at Bill Gates' private dock in Seattle.

The Pathways Back to Work Act, part of the broader jobs bill, introduces the "Bridge to Work" program where the government pays minimum wage for individuals to work as "paid volunteers" at private companies. The bill also makes it unlawful for employment agencies to publish advertisements that disqualify applicants based on their current unemployment status. Critics describe the program as a source of subsidized labor for corporations under the guise of job training.

The CIA has launched a revamped website featuring a Flickr stream, YouTube "puppy cam" videos, and a dedicated kids' page with games. The hosts suggest the agency hired a PR firm like Hill & Knowlton to rebrand its image. They also highlight the National Clandestine Service's undergraduate internship program, mocking the agency's shift from a secret organization to a public-facing brand.

A listener email regarding swine flu and RFID chip skepticism prompts a discussion about career paths for young professionals. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is identified as a high-demand "black art" and a superior career choice compared to technical production roles. The hosts argue that understanding search engine mechanics provides long-term job security.