Why an Internship?

Whenever I meet with college students I make a special point to emphasize the importance of an internship or even better, more than one.

"An internship?" they often say, "What's that?"



An internship is almost a necessity in today's world for current college students. For so long, young adults were simply encouraged to "Get your degree and you'll find a job," but times are changing. Employers are increasingly interested in skills and experience. Yet, how do college students gain experience and job-related skills if no one will hire someone without those same skills and experiences? An internship is the solution.



I've heard that nearly 90% of employers offer internships or would be interested in participating in an internship experience. Internships often are mutually beneficial to both intern and employer. Employers have the opportunity to train and test a potential employee without a formal, long-term commitment. And interns gain and apply skills in a real-life setting without the accountability required of a full-time employee. Professionalism is expected, but mistakes are met with greater tolerance as it is often expected for interns to be a little green.


To avoid mistakes and make the most of an internship, interns should ask a lot of questions and look for feedback to improve their skills. This is a great opportunity for students who are uneasy about how their education translates into real work readiness to recognize how prepared they are and what they can do to make up for any deficits. For instance, many of my students say, "I'm graduating soon, but I'm just not sure if I really know how to apply my education to a real job." The answer--get an internship and practice and apply your skills.


Internships can be a great opportunity to network, gain references, and possibly find a career position. Many companies extend full-time offers to interns within their organization. Every intern should be on their best behavior at all times, even if performing mundane tasks. You never know when a coffee run could lead to a full-time opportunity. Interns should build positive relationships with their coworkers and mentors as they will serve as valuable references and networks. While the internship company may not have an opening, co-workers may know of alternative hiring sources or they can write a glowing letter of recommendation.


Internships can also help the decision making process. Many students make career decisions based upon what they think they would like to do or what notions they have about the day-to-day tasks of a particular field. For many, an internship clarifies the fit--or lack of fit--of a particular position. Others are introduced to new avenues never before considered and use the internship to springboard them into a completely different career. Consider an internship if you would like to "try on" your potential career. It can save a lot of time, money, and anguish to realize that a particular career is not for you BEFORE you invest years of education, only to change paths.

Interns typically get hired faster, easier, and are paid more money than students who never participated in one. If you are a student, consider at least one solid internship experience. And if you have time, do more than one! Resist the temptation to take the quick and easy PT "get through school" job and instead, branch out and gain experience through an internship. You will not regret it!

Contact me if you would like help in locating and applying for an internship opportunity or if you are an employer interested in hiring an intern.