Internships are key to building much-needed experience as a student or recent graduate. Employers are much more likely to hire someone with internship and work experience rather than someone with a generic resume, lacking experience.
I am sure you have seen those job posts that require a minimum of 2 years of experience and wonder how you will ever have an opportunity to apply. Well, the reason is that taking fresh graduates will require the company to invest money and time to train them in basic skills that aren’t taught in schools. So it would naturally be cost effective to hire someone with experience. It is important that you choose your internships based on your interests and career prospects. You must be passionate about what you do if you want to excel.
Employers are much more likely to hire someone with internship and work experience rather than someone with a generic resume, lacking experience. #UniversityLife #Importanceofinternships Click To TweetThe internship path can be a tricky one. As a tertiary student, you have to complete a ton of internships. Whether it’s a paid or unpaid, the value doesn’t change. So you need to approach it with the right mindset.
Put your pride aside and be ready to learn from everyone you meet during your internship.
Don’t just go to work and complain about the economy and how ‘badly’ you are being treated. Make the most of the opportunity and apply the knowledge that you have gained. If you are given a task and don’t know how to get it done just ask for help or search online. In this information age, you have no excuse.
It is important that you choose your internships based on your interests and career prospects. You must be passionate about what you do if you want to excel.
If all this information isn’t compelling enough, we have compiled a list of reasons why these internships are important for your future career.
1) Real world experience
Joining a company as an intern gives you the opportunity to work hands-on in a professional environment. As an intern, you’re not just there to get coffee or run errands but you’re there to gain actual work experience. Internships help by teaching you more about the career path you are pursuing. Think of it like this – internships are a way to test drive possible jobs and explore different career options.
2.) Time Management
As an intern, you’ll become a master of time management. When you’re working in a fast-paced professional environment you need to know every minute counts. Time management is vital in every circumstance whether you’re attending meetings, finishing tasks on deadlines, making phone calls, picking up your boss’ dry cleaning or walking their dog (just kidding about the last two). Time is money and through internships, you will gain a deeper understanding of this truth.
3.) Networking
Internships often give you the opportunity to attend meetings and events. By interacting with professionals you gain new connections and learn how to communicate in a professional environment. Networking will give you credible references that are vital when you are looking for new opportunities. Through networking, you could even find a professional mentor.
4.) Career Foundation
Internships provide you with the building blocks you need for your future. Many internship opportunities help set the foundation for your career. It is important that you choose your internships based on your interests and career prospects. As an intern, you have the opportunity to get your foot in the door with a company. Keep in mind, employers often use internships as a recruitment tool to test out future employees and in many cases, companies hire interns after graduation. After all, if they have already invested a lot of time and money to train you. Why would they let you go without benefiting from you first?
5.) Skill Builder
Let’s face it. If you are still a student, then you are a novice. You need the practical experience that an internship has to offer you. So consciously build up the skill-sets needed in your career path. Don’t just focus on adding the name of the company that you worked with to your resume rather focus on the skills that you’ll gain from working there. Learn how to communicate, write professional emails, organize an event, handle logistics, use applications and even how to print and photocopy a document properly. These are all essential skills that truly pay off when you are looking for a job or starting your own business in the future.
If you are looking for a place to have a great internship experience then you can apply through these companies below and remember to put all that you have read to good use.