Why You Should Do An Internship
An overwhelming amount of responsibility and work is an aspect of college life that all students share. No matter their major, most college students only focus on graduating towards the end of their college careers. However, seeking an internship is an essential task that all future graduates should complete before graduation. Here are a few reasons why you should pursue an internship during your college career.
Peace Of Mind.
The question, “what are you gonna do after college” is one that every student dreads. No matter their major, an astounding amount of students usually don’t have a concrete plan in place. Partaking in an internship will give you more confidence about your future plans which will help with your anxiety.
Gaining Experience.
Your internship will also gain you valuable work experience. Once you arrive in the real world, you’ll soon realize that despite having a college degree, some jobs will only give you a chance if you have experience. By doing an internship you’ll be able to enhance your resume and have a better chance of finding a job.
Having Options.
By interning you’ll be able to decide if your future career is right for you. For this reason, I highly recommend getting an internship as early as possible. If you’re lucky enough, your college may offer some internships within your major. There’s nothing worse than finally getting a job after graduation and realizing that you hate your profession.
Easier Transition.
There’s a certain lag after college that most graduates feel. You feel accomplished after completing your four-year journey, but in the back of your mind, there’s a tiny sense of dread building. The question of “So…what’s next” builds with each passing week. If you’re major of choice was accounting, then that question is pretty straightforward. Apply to jobs geared towards accountants, but if your major of choice was in English, then things become slightly more complicated. With so many options in front of you, there’s an overload as to which path is right for you. That’s where partaking in an internship helps with this transitional period.
Building Connections.
By establishing connections with your potential coworkers, you’ll already have a community to greet you upon getting hired. Even if you’re not ultimately hired for that particular job, you’ll increase your social skills amongst individuals in your field. While the goal of an internship is to being hired by the company, you should look at the experience as a chance to gain knowledge that will benefit you in your future endeavors.
You May Get Paid!
Depending on how lucky you are, you may even be compensated for your internship. I don’t advise only seeking out paid internships but those fortunate enough will not only earn money but also valuable experience. For this reason, I highly advise asking the department heads of your major what internship opportunities are available. Your school should be more than happy to help one of their students achieve success.
Preparing For Success.
You increase your chances of success when you participate in an internship. There’s literally little to no repercussions to doing an internship. You’ll get a chance to sharpen your craft within a low risk/controlled environment. So no matter if your getting paid cold hard cash or only college credits, you’ll still gain priceless knowledge. Having multiple internships lined up will also dissipate any anxiety you may have about your future. So instead of spending that summer vacation in Tahiti, seek out a summer internship that will help you secure your future!
