Why Get An Internship? Here’s Some Reasons You Should

Internships are one of the most talked about topics on college campuses. Many colleges, including Temple, have career fairs that feature internship opportunities. Even if the internship is unpaid, there are many benefits that will be of value to you in the future. So, why get an internship? Read on for some convincing reasons.

1. Hands-on job experience outside the classroom

While many classes offer assignments that give you a taste of what it is like to do an assignment or task in your field, there is nothing that compares to being in a real-world setting. You will interact with a supervisor and co-workers and work on real projects that will give you a glimpse as to what it is like to work in a position that you may work in. Having an internship gives you the opportunity to see whether you will like your career or if you want to do something else within your field. Still find yourself asking, “why get an internship?”

2. Opportunity to learn from those already in your field

When you have an internship, you will be working with those who have been in your chosen field for at least a few years. This gives you an opportunity to learn from them and to pick their brains about their experiences. They may have connections to your dream job or may be able to give you advice for landing your dream job. If you complete the work that your supervisor needs you to complete in a shift, ask if it is okay for you to assist another coworker with tasks, which will make you stand out and will give you an opportunity to learn something new.

3. College credit or fulfill a requirement

Many colleges require that every student have an internship prior to graduation. Even if it is not a requirement, colleges may offer internship credit as an elective “class.” Often times, this allows you to replace a class that you may not find helpful with experience that is worth so much more. Check with your advisors or an internship advisor in your major to see if you need to fill out paperwork. They will also let you know if you will need to submit task logs or other assignments over the course of your internship in order to receive credit.

4. Job opportunities, either with the company or at another company

Having an internship allows you to stand out in the crowd. Most companies expect to see that job candidates have at least one internship in a related position. Having an internship, even if it is unpaid, allows you to add experience to your resume that will help you land a job in your field. Many companies also hire those who have interned with them since they have the training needed to succeed in the company, so you will have an “in” with the company you are interning with if you like it there! Hopefully, you’re not still asking yourself, “why get an internship?”

Why get an internship? Let us know what you think of these reasons in the comments below!

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