1. You can figure out what you want (or don’t want) NOW
Now is a great time to experiment with what you want to do in the future. Getting an internship makes it
easier in deciding what you want to do with your career. Instead of waiting until after college to get a job and find out that you don’t like it, you can take as many internships as you want and figure out where you fit in best. The best part about internships is that you don’t have to intern in your field of study. If you are a journalism major but you’re interested in fashion as well, go for the internship with a designer! All you need to do is relate to the company and show why you are qualified. Right now I’m a web intern, and while I like it, I also want to intern for a beauty or fashion department to get a sense of what I may like best. You never know where an unexpected internship could lead you so don’t rule anything out!
2. It gives you great job experience
Getting an internship is going to give you valuable job experience. Period. While it’s excellent that you are going to college, gaining experience in your field is crucial. It’s important to learn what it’s really like to work in the field with professionals. During your internship you’re not going to be treated like a baby either. People expect you to be able to do the work they give you and in turn you’re treated like a professional. It’s pretty awesome. The more time you spend interning the more prepared you are going to be for your future. The investment is worth it!
3. It could give you the edge
Imagine you have completed college successfully but you have done no internships and a really great job opens up. You go for the interview and it goes well but then someone else gets the job. What happened? Chances are the person who got the job had an internship or two. I’m not saying this is always going to happen. But having internship experience on your resume when you’re first starting out is going to give you an edge over people with no experience. Here’s why. A company hiring new employees is going to look for those who have experience and recommendations in the field that show they are valuable and know what they are doing. Think about it. Who would you rather hire, someone who has knowledge and experience in the job you are hiring or someone who has no experience?
4. It shows you are motivated
Taking an internship or two in college is going to show that you are a motivated individual that is interested in the future. By taking the time to take on an internship along with school goes a long way. You are showing employers, and future employers, that you have a genuine interest in what you are doing. Make the most of your time in college! Use resources like the career center to get advice, resume help and more. Putting in the extra effort now will pay off later, no matter how stressful it may seem.
5. You can make lasting connections
I don’t know how many times I’ve heard in my classes and from people with experience that it’s all about networking and making connections. Sure it’s great to go to networking events on campus and meet people there, but the internship is where you’ll leave lasting impressions. This is where the people you work with will really get to know you. So take time to talk to the people you work with, set up lunch and ask them questions about their job and any advice they have. At the end of your internship you can leave your mark and have great connections that could get you a job in the future.