We’ve all heard the word internship before, but what does that really mean, why would you want one, and if you did, how could you find one? I remember thinking all of these things to myself when I was graduating from high school and deciding whether to go to college or to start working. Internships offer valuable experience you can add to your resume, and they can help you decide what type of work you might be interested in, no matter your situation.
What is an internship?
An internship is a position where a student or trainee works to gain experience. Sometimes, these positions are unpaid, but sometimes they are. In many cases, they are college requirements or can provide course credits, paid or unpaid. Either way, internships offer opportunities to network, find out more about yourself, and discover your passions. (They also make a great addition to your LinkedIn profile! Link that article here)
Usually, these positions are for people with limited experience in that field of work, and I cannot stress how cool internships are for that very reason. Entry level job listings often request that applicants have years of experience, and frequently as young adults, we don’t have the opportunity to gain those years of experience yet. However, internships can be a great way to show that you’ve been committed to that field of work for years and that you’ve done all you can to learn about and succeed in it.
Why would you want one?
Aside from gaining experience, internships allow you to network. Most universities and programs either require or highly recommend that students have internship experience. This means that if you’re hired on as an intern, there will likely be other interns that you can connect with. In addition, you’ll most likely be working on a team with industry professionals that have made that job into their careers. In all the internships I’ve had, my team leaders have been more than happy to support me however they can, whether that be through letters of recommendation, or even simply answering my questions about the industry or finding a job.
Additionally, internships are beneficial because they give you a real-life glimpse of what the work field is like. I’ll be the first to say that not all internships are created equally, and while I’ve had some that weren’t my favorite, I’ve had some really remarkable ones that have taught me crucial lessons.
When I first started at my university, I went into my freshman year declared as a mechanical engineering major. I got a position as a research assistant to some really awesome professors and had that position for two years. I had a graduate student that served as my mentor, and she trained me on machinery, gave me introductory tasks, and helped me feel like an important part of our team. While I loved the people I worked with, I began to realize that engineering wasn’t a right fight for me, and that experience as a research assistant helped me understand that.
I’m currently studying something completely different from engineering, but those two years as a research assistant still serve me well on my resume and demonstrate valuable skills that I learned. All of this is to say that internships are really just learning opportunities. No professional effort is ever wasted, so if you have the chance to try an internship, go for it!
How do you get an internship?
Network, network, network! Networking of course will help you find an internship. Whether you ask friends, professors, or even family about internships that they’ve heard of, it never hurts to start within your circle and expand outward from there. This can also be helpful because the people that know you the best can help you identify some of your strengths and where those strengths might be a good fit. Never underestimate the power of friends on your professional career.
Next, if you’re at a university, most universities have a career center, or mentors that can help you build a resume and find an internship. My university uses a tool called Handshake, which is an application that helps college students find internships and jobs. My career center mentor helped me set up a Handshake account and walked me through how to use it, and before that I had never even heard of Handshake. Career centers are outstanding and can connect with resources you might not have known about. Lastly, you can always always internet-search for internships. I googled “internships near me” and there are so many sites that list available positions like LinkedIn, Indeed, and SimplyHired. Additionally, if there is a specific company you’re interested in, you can always visit their website directly and see if they have any availability. Companies will usually list open positions under a title of “Join our team” or “Careers”.
Internships are integral as you decide what you’d like to do for work. They offer experience, network opportunities, and network opportunities all while teaching you more about yourself.