Interning During The School Year: Why You Should Consider It

This past fall I interned at a magazine in Pittsburgh. Rather than take a final class I spent about 15 hours a week in the office and completed journal assignments to earn course credit. I loved every minute of it but hadn’t really thought about interning during the year before accepting this position. Here are a few reasons why you might consider completing an internship alongside your schoolwork.

 
1.) A Change of Pace.
Rather than sitting in a classroom for an additional three hours a week, I was able to work in a new environment, meet new people (other interns and of course staff!), and take on a variety of tasks I wouldn’t get to experience through my studies. Interning kept me in touch with the real world—I didn’t want to get stuck in the class, study, and repeat routine this fall. 

2.) To Gain A Leg Up
Often during the year, there are fewer interns in the office (because not everyone is willing to balance a full course load and an internship!) and this can yield a variety of benefits. With fewer helping hands, interns during the year are often given more tasks to complete. Also, with less people fighting for the supervisor’s attention, interns might be able to work more closely with him or her.

3.) Make Up For Lost Time
We all know that internships are the key to breaking into the job force after graduation, especially in this current economy. But just because you haven’t held one yet, or chose to pursue other interests during the summer doesn’t mean you won’t have the opportunity to intern! Carnegie Mellon junior Hannah Post explains why she decided to intern during the year, “It helped me catch up with my professional experience after spending a summer studying abroad instead of working.”

4.) Keep Searching For Your Dream Job
Every experience in the work place can help you determine what you want to do after graduation. If you still don’t have a clue what kind of career you want to pursue, try to find an internship during the semester. It might shed some light on what interests you and what types of career paths you’d like to explore further.
 
Remember to check with your department to see if you eligible to complete an internship for credit.