The Importance of Internships

As a recent graduate, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. When looking for employment in your field, you'll need experience to get the job. Hopefully, you already knew that part, but here's the kicker: you'll need a job to get experience - and that's where internships come in.

Besides getting your foot in the door with a potential employer - the same employer that increasingly wants to see experience in the new college grads they hire AND that see their internship programs as the best path for hiring entry-level candidates - internships have a lot of other advantages.

"Test Driving" A Career, Or Two

Internships and their temporary nature, allow you to see what you like and what you don't like, or what you're happier or more comfortable with. It's the perfect way to experience a field that you're considering, before you dedicate 4+ years majoring in it. In doing so, you may even find out what skills you're missing or what skills can better prepare you to excel in your area of interest.

Gaining a "Real World" Perspective

Gaining a "real world" perspective on an occupation, is an extremely important aspect of testing driving, not only an internship, but the field in general. Now is the time to find out how much time is actually spent in the field, versus at a desk, how much overtime is expected of you and if your 9-5, is really a 9-5. Regardless of the specific internship, it's also important to be introduced to the culture and etiquette of your field of interest. It's better to learn appropriate attire, how clients are addressed, proper email etiquette, etc., sooner than later. Your first full time job can be intimidating enough, so the more you learn now, the more confident you'll be during your career debut.

Gaining Experience that Supplements Your Major/Degree

Sometimes career plans can be really complex. Sometimes, your dual degree or double major program doesn't exist. Sometimes, you want the best of both career worlds or you don't really know what to do at all. Internships, allow you to gain experience in one field, while you study in another. I'll use myself as an example. As a Pre-Law, Communication Major, my interests included sports and policy. As a result, my internship experience ranges from positions with collegiate and professional sports team to law firms, political offices and local and federal government offices. Now that I have a degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences with Distinction in Communication, I can pursue opportunities that require Liberal Arts Degrees, Communication(s) degrees, an interest in sports marketing and policy or political experience.

Accumulating New Skills

Along with relevant experience, relevant skills - regardless of the field - can be the difference between getting the job and almost getting the job. Soft skills, technical skills, computer skills, whatever the skills, are transferable and extremely important to gain. Try finding your dream job(s), look at the required and preferred skills in the job description, and find internships with those skills. This way, you can start tailoring your resume for that job or related jobs in the field, years in advance.

Networking to Build your Net Worth

Networking is important. It's not what you know. It's not who you know. It's who knows you. Who remembers you? Who can vouch for you? Who will put their name on the line, by recommending you? Additionally, your fellow interns are the foundation of your network. The relationships you build as interns: supporting each other, leaning on each other and learning together, essentially build the network you have as you move up in your career, Hint: you all can also connect each other to new opportunities. Mingling with your bosses and superiors is important, but don't neglect your peers just because you think they can't help you at the moment. Mentorship is so important and hint: anyone can be your mentor, even a peer. In short, getting to know more people in a professionally capacity, is an irreplaceable factor of career building and the internship experience.

Now that all is said and done, gain your experience, perfect your resume and possibly earn some college credit and money in the process. Don't be that recent college graduate with a killer cover letter, a stellar grade point average, glowing recommendations, and a résumé without the proper experience. Keep calm, do as many internships as you can and get that job!

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