If you’re wondering whether an internship is right for you, consider these essential benefits first.
Internships Only Last a Short While
An intern works at a company for a fixed period of time, usually three to six months. Some students will have a part-time internship working at the office for just a few days or hours per week. Others will have full-time internships, meaning they work the same hours as the company’s full-time employees. Internships can take place at any time of the year—including over the summer—and during the regular quarter, trimester, or semester. This is a benefit because if you do not enjoy the job or company, you can rest assured that you won’t be working there forever. Internships are temporary, which allows you time to explore other options in the future.
Internships Offer Hands-On Experience
Internships offer students a hands-on opportunity to work in their desired field. You can learn how your course of study applies to the real world and build a valuable experience that makes you a stronger candidate for jobs after graduation. An internship can be an excellent way to “try out” a certain career. For instance, you may think you want a fast-paced job in advertising, but after an internship, you may find it’s not for you. That’s valuable insight and will help you choose your career path.
Internships Don’t Require Experience
Internships are usually for high school, college, or graduate students. Since these students don’t often have experience working in a field just yet, internship programs usually require little to no experience, unlike full-time jobs. Although internships tend to go to juniors or seniors who have more years of college classes on their resumes, freshmen and sophomores can also apply. Having several internships while in college can be very impressive to potential employers. You can also apply for internships after you graduate (for no credit or for pay). And if you are looking to change fields, such as leaving teaching to become an editor at a magazine, you can apply for internships in order to gain experience and see if it’s right for you.
Internships Teach You Valuable Skills
The daily tasks of an intern can vary widely, even within the same industry. It is largely dependent on the company itself. In some internships, you may focus more on administrative tasks, while in others, you may be an important part of the team, making substantial contributions to the company. By law, internships are supposed to benefit the student more than the company, unless the student is paid. Regardless, internships can help you learn valuable skills like time management, communication, project management, writing, and more. These skills can easily translate to any career you pursue in the future.
Many Internships Pay You for Your Work
Unpaid internships are common, but there are plenty of paid internships, too. Whether or not you will get a wage depends on your industry and role. For example, a communications major may have more options for unpaid internships than a finance major who may be able to apply to several paid internships.
An Internship Could Lead to a Full-Time Job
Some companies do extend full-time job offers to exceptional interns, though this will depend on the company. To better your chances of this, be proactive in your work, pay attention to detail, listen and take criticism, and volunteer for special projects. Meet as many people as you can and collect all their business cards. Positioning yourself as a hardworking, reliable worker puts you in good standing for consideration. If the company is not hiring at the time your internship ends, do not be disappointed or think it’s a reflection of your work. It’s often simply a budgeting issue. You can still ask the company for a reference, which you can leverage when applying for jobs later. And equally important, you’ve met the first people in your professional network. Keep in touch with them.
