An internship is not your run of the mill a summer job. It is a stepping stone to your potential career. Internships offer invaluable benefits that can help you succeed both now and beyond graduation. For this reason, they can, at times, be a bit elusive. Here are some key reasons to consider pursuing an internship:
- Gain work experience and develop skill sets: An internship provides hands-on experience and helps you develop both industry specific as well as transferable skills. Research has shown that internships are one of the strongest indicators of securing a job within six months of graduation – and, per the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), paid internships are about twice as likely to land a job.
- Develop your network and find mentorship: Internships allow you to build connections within your field of interest and seek out mentors. These relationships can shape your career path and potentially open doors to future opportunities.
- Explore different industries: Internships let you “test drive” careers and companies, helping you discover what environments and/or roles fit you best before making a long-term commitment.
- Strengthen your resume: An internship experience can help make your resume stand out and provide compelling stories for interviews.
- Receive valuable feedback: Feedback helps you identify strengths and address weaknesses before officially entering the workforce.
- Earn while you learn: Paid internships offer financial benefits as well as a glimpse of future earning potential. In fact, according to NACE, paid interns earn higher starting salaries than new hires without internship experience.
- Increase your chances for a full-time offer: Internships can serve as a pipeline to full-time employment. Employers are more likely to hire interns who’ve already proven themselves. It is a chance for both the employer and the student to get a feel for one another. Per NACE, 57.6% of interns are converted to full-time employees.
- Build confidence: From the application process to interviewing to working in a professional environment, internships help transition smoothly from college to career with greater confidence.
At the end of the day, internships provide students with skills, connections, experience, and confidence, while improving their chances of landing a job upon graduation. If the opportunity for an internship is in your sights, view it as an investment in your future.
