Jordan Spivack didn’t find a job right after graduation — but the University graduate isn’t too worried.

Spivack, lead web developer at marketing company Athens Social Media, is a Fall 2009 graduate from Athens. He is part of a trend of college graduates interning instead of working a permanent job right after graduation.

Holding a degree in management information systems, 23-year-old Spivack began interning for Athens Social Media in March of 2010 after finding a post for it on DAWGlink, the Career Center’s online job posting system.

“I wasn’t really sure what I was looking for in a job,” he said. “I thought an internship would be a great opportunity to see what area I’d be interested in going forward.”

Spivack said one of the aspects he was looking for in an internship was its potential to eventually become a permanent job, which he thinks his internship will grow into.

Spivack works approximately 50 to 60 hours per week and is paid based on each project he completes for clients.

He said his internship has taught him many lessons, such as how to manage multiple projects, organize time and learn from mistakes.

“The experience I’ve gotten from that has been incredible,” Spivack said.

He said more people should intern after graduation, pointing out real-world experience is more beneficial than the many group projects assigned by classes.

“That really doesn’t prepare you for when you get into the business world,” Spivack said.

When asked if his case is unusual, Spivack said most of his friends are at permanent positions because of increased job security.

He also said many want jobs that aren’t set to end after a year, like Spivack’s internship does.

“With the economy the way it is, people are looking for something that will be there a few years down the line,” he said.

Jake Berton, founder of Athens Social Media, said the goal for his 13 interns — four of whom, including Spivack, are University graduates — is to work for the company after the internship ends.

Berton said even if interns choose to work somewhere else when they’re done, the time spent interning wasn’t wasted.

“I think there’s a great benefit to it, especially now, for some hard experience,” he said. “With an internship, you have a chance to experiment.”

Spivack said he wouldn’t regret interning if his time at Athens Social Media ended when the year was up.

“That’s always the risk with any job,” he said. “I think that the experience that I’ve gained and the reward that I’ve gotten from projects I’ve worked on is worth it right now, and regardless of what happens, it’s been a great experience.”