What You Need to Know about Internships
Why complete an internship?
To be competitive in the job market, it is essential to complete one or more internships for experience and skill development. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ 2010 Student Survey, 42.3% of seniors who had internship experience and applied for a job received at least one job offer. Students with internship experience also, on average, had a higher salary offer than those without an internship.
• You’ll learn more about your intended career field
• You will be able to apply classroom knowledge to real-world
experiences
• You may be able to receive academic credit for the experience
• You’ll learn professional work behaviors and communication skills
• You’ll learn both transferable and career-specific skills
• You’ll be able to get a taste of a career to decide whether it is
right for you
What do I want from my internship? Questions to Ask Yourself
When searching for an internship, you will need to clarify to employers what you can offer them and what you want to get out of the opportunity. These questions can help you narrow your search and identify what you want to get out of the internship.
• Why do I want to complete an internship?
• What do I have to offer employers? What are my strengths?
• Where geographically is the most practical or convenient for
my internship?
• Am I interested in working in a corporation, small business,
government, or non-profit organization?
• What areas of my career do I want to explore the most?
• Do I need a paid internship? Many enriching internships are
unpaid.
• What careers have I always been interested in?
Will I be paid?
Click here for important information about paid and unpaid internships.
