If you are a college student it is highly likely that you know the vicious cycle of unemployment. This cycle is usually composed of searching for jobs and being turned down because of a lack of experience. Then having no experience because it is difficult to get a job. Fortunately, investing time in internships can help to break the cycle and provide valuable experience in the field of your choice.
College students need internships because internships are essential when looking for employment after graduating college. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), surveys indicated that future employers are more likely to hire applicants who are able to have prior experience in the field. Meaning, potential employers are more inclined to hire applicants who have the most practical experience within the given field.
The Director of NACE, Marilyn Macke describes internships as an avenue to a job. Surveys conducted amongst leading corporations and potential employers confirmed that it is becoming more and more likely that students who participate in partnering internship programs will earn permanent positions in the future.
As one may have guessed the road to internship is a competitive one. As a result, a student should begin to search for internships during or immediately after completing their sophomore year in college. Interning as a student can help a developing scholar gain real world experience that can be applied to almost any career within their field of study.
Granted, internships have become notorious for the fact that most gigs are unpaid. However, there is some good news for a student looking to intern in the near future. Many organizations who offer internships may soon be required to offer at least minimum wage with the exception of nonprofit organizations. On the other hand, the knowledge, experience, and training an internship can provide can sometimes be very fulfilling all by itself.
It is important for any student intern to make sure that they are doing work that will be worth their while instead of tasks that are unrelated to the job title at hand. NACE confirmed that two thirds of 2013’s graduating class was made up of students who participated in an internship or a cooperative education assignment. Students within this sample who took part in paid internship programs were also more likely to find employment soon after finishing their bachelor’s degree than students who did not. Analysis revealed that this could be because paid interns are more likely to participate in meaningful work. As opposed to unpaid interns who are frequently asked to do tedious tasks that are often unrelated to their field of study thus, limiting their practical experience within their major.
For the most part internships can inspire a person to work harder to achieve their dream job and accomplish goals. But, on the other hand an internship serve as a learning experience and prompt a person to realign their goals and switch to major that might be more beneficial in the future. Either way an internship can provide a higher understanding of what a person may want to do in the future.
An essential skill that can be gained through interning and be used in future endeavors is networking. Networking as an intern can help build important connections with professionals within your field of study. Networking with potential employers or business contacts can help develop a person’s knowledge of resources and career opportunities.
“You’ll gain a valuable understanding of your field and grasp how your coursework is preparing you to enter your chosen career. Similarly, you may also discover gaps between your classroom learning and what you need to know in the real world and can plan how you will fill those gaps. In addition to the solid preparation you are acquiring in class, considering the feedback from professionals in your desired field is always a smart play”, said Robert Liddell from Saint Leo University’s office of Career Services.
Now that the importance of interning is understood it would be wise to begin the search for an internship that will be useful and worthwhile in the future. Some sites that offer search engines for internships include internships.com, internmatch.com, and Linkedin.com. The sites previously listed are just a few of the resources that can be used when looking for internships. For more opportunities be sure to socialize with other professionals around campus and remember that your fellow Saint Leo Lion could be your future employer.
For more tips on networking and other professional services visit Career Services over in Saint Edwards Hall in room 101. Career services can point students in the right direction of internships as well as jobs. Career services also helps to tailor resumes and cover letters in order to land interviews with potential employers.
