Understanding Internships
An internship is a necessity for the modern college graduate. Hiring businesses looking for young professionals often turn to internships as a measure of workplace experience—as well as a means of evaluating a graduate’s performance before offering a job. So, it’s no surprise that internships are not only strongly encouraged by industry leaders across the board, but are a requirement for graduation from some universities. Here, we’ve outlined a few ideas to help you understand the importance of including an internship in your college curriculum.
What Is an Internship?
At its most literal, an internship is a temporary period of employment in the chosen field of a student enrolled in college or university. Internships are often focused on combining classroom theory with real-world experience. They can be paid or unpaid and can last anywhere from a few weeks to a year, depending on the company that hosts the student. The goal of an internship is to provide the student with an opportunity to experience everyday life in the field of his or her choice, while earning additional compensation or credit towards his or her degree.
Why Is an Internship Important?
An internship can help you determine whether or not a career in a particular field is the right fit for you. It can be an eye-opening and interesting experience even if you decide that the field isn’t for you. But most importantly, an internship tells your story to anyone reading your resume. Completing a successful internship speaks highly of your goals, your work ethic, your willingness to learn, and your drive to achieve.
When Should I Look for an Internship?
An internship can be valuable as soon as you decide on the focus of your studies. In fact, the sooner you participate, the sooner you can make changes to your curriculum if you decide that field isn’t the best choice for you.
Keep in mind that different internships have different application deadlines. The earlier you apply, the more likely you will be to successfully submit your name for the available position. Most businesses will appreciate your punctuality, and it may give you an advantage over other applicants.
Where Can I Find an Internship?
Internships are available through a number of different resources, including:
- Academic Resources. These can include your college or university department advisor, career services center, or alumni association. If you’re not sure which office on your campus deals with internships, ask!
- Networking Resources. Internship and career fairs, internship search engines, online social pages, message boards, and internship-specific online groups all qualify as excellent places to connect to both professionals and other students searching for available internships.
- Business Resources. Consider visiting company websites and trade shows, or reading field-specific magazines and other publications that might offer classified ads for employment and internship opportunities.
With the number of different tools available to you as a student, you’re nearly certain to find just the right internship for your career goals. However, if you feel like you would like an opportunity for an even more involved, hands-on working experience, there are other options as well. Check out our page discussing cooperative education opportunities to find out more.
