If you are working towards a career in a competitive industry, polishing your resume, or simply trying to choose a major, an internship can be extremely beneficial.
What is an internship? Basically, an internship is a short-term work experience that provides students with real-world experience in their target industry. While experiences are available in many industries, diverse companies, and at all levels of government, the goal is universal - to learn more about the field and gain exposure in a way that is simply not possible within a lecture hall.
A summer internship is typically a 40 hour per week commitment for approximately 10 - 12 weeks, June through August. (Fall and spring semester internships vary widely, but are usually part-time, as students are still enrolled in classes.)
9 Benefits of an Internship
Learn from industry leaders: This is your opportunity to work side-by-side with accomplished professionals.
Get a clear picture of the job and industry: An internship will provide a glimpse into what an actual entry-level role will entail.
Find the right career: After an internship, you may be better able to figure out what you don’t want to do.
Boost your resume: Job applicants who have previous, practical work experience are more competitive than those who list only coursework.
Build job related skills: Although interns generally only tackle entry level work, they are sometimes included on larger projects and can expand their skill set.
Improve crucial soft skills: An internship offers an environment where students can improve on soft skills, from communication, to organization, to time management.
Become a team player: Learning how to coexist with different types of people within a company or organization is essential for a successful career.
Expand your horizons: Interns are often included in events that are not project or task-specific such as trade shows, meetings, or presentations.
Make yourself more hireable: The likelihood of getting an offer after completing an internship is high. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, approximately 57% of interns convert to full-time hires.
Paid, Unpaid, and Internships for College Credit
Just as the types of internships vary widely, so too does compensation. Internships may be paid, unpaid, or conducted for college credit. And each opportunity has merit!
Paid internships are highly sought after, however, the amount and type of compensation is dependent on the industry. Tech, finance, and consulting tend to pay on the higher end, while also being fiercely competitive.
At the other end of the spectrum are unpaid internships, which are often offered in “glamour” industries such as fashion, or by non-profits. While no financial compensation is provided for this work, it is important to approach the opportunity as a valuable learning experience.
Internships for college credit are sometimes a specific requirement for graduation. In these cases, you will receive academic credit for your work, rather than monetary compensation. Navigating these internships can be tricky, as the company must offer the internship for credit, while your school determines whether or not you are eligible for college credit. In these cases, working closely with your advisor early on in the process is essential.
How to Get the Most Out of the Experience
Before you apply, have clear goals in mind. What do you want to learn? What skills do you hope to hone? Setting realistic goals from the onset will help your company mentor craft a better experience for you.
Be prepared for some grunt work. While your goals may be lofty, there will be instances where you can’t be included on a team project, meetings you won’t be invited to attend, or tasks you are simply not qualified to perform (yet!).
A strong mentor can make all the difference. If your mentor is not assigning enough work, or work that is not part of your specific career strategy, you can always volunteer for additional projects after completing whatever work has been given to you. It’s best to tread very carefully here, as many internship mentors have been assigned mentorship on top of their normal duties and can be overwhelmed. Remember to be as helpful, and professional, as possible!
Where to Find Internships
Internships.com: Matches you with internships based on your college major, preferred job category, and city.
InternAbroadUSA.com: Combines international travel with exciting internship experiences around the globe.
InternJobs.com: Provides a global database for paid internship opportunities and connects college students (and recent grads) with internships, as well as entry-level jobs.
Handshake: Considered the "LinkedIn for college students," Handshake connects students to both career and internship opportunities. (Only available to those with a registered college email.)
In addition to the sites above, try job posting sites including Glassdoor, Indeed, and LinkedIn. For government internships, head directly to the relevant .gov website for listings. And, if you have a “dream position” apply directly (from NASA, to the White House, to Google).