Why Do An Internship?

Why should I get an internship?

Why Do an Internship?

Participating in internships has the most significant impact on a student's ability to secure a job and increase their starting salary. Internships provide students with valuable work experience while still in school, offering real-world experience in the field they are considering for a career. Employers consider applicable work experience as the most crucial factor when evaluating job applicants. As a result, it is imperative to understand what internships are all about and why they are essential.

Why Should You Get an Internship?

The primary reason to get an internship is to gain firsthand knowledge and experience of what is involved in working in a specific field. Internships enable students to perform tasks that they would typically do if they select that field as a career. Additionally, internships provide students with the opportunity to try out a career path before committing to it fully. Graduating students will spend eight to ten hours a day, five days a week, and fifty weeks a year working. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that they enjoy the work they are doing.

Another reason to get an internship is that it helps students understand what they need to know and can significantly impact their academic success. Many students who have completed internships reported that they wished they had paid more attention to some of their previous classes. Moreover, students who have completed internships become much better students in their remaining classes because they understand what they will need to do once they graduate.

Furthermore, employers value the impact of internships and understand their importance. Some employers will not hire students who have not completed internships, while others consider internships the best way to evaluate prospective employees. Companies prefer to hire new entry-level employees who have previously worked as interns in their organization.

Lastly, while not the most important reason for getting an internship, it is worth noting that it can be financially rewarding. Students who complete internships can increase their starting salary by up to $5,000. This amount may not seem significant, but over the course of 30 years, it can add up to $150,000.

How to Get an Internship?

Texas State University's Career Services offers opportunities for students to secure internships by working with prospective employers and local companies to create job opportunities. Handshake is the best platform for students to search for internships, and many companies advertise their internship positions online, such as on Indeed and LinkedIn. 

Students who possess the skills to sell themselves and their abilities to companies have the most success in acquiring internships. Employers can clearly see the advantages of hiring students with such skills. Therefore, it is advisable to start looking for internships as early as possible and secure as many positions as possible. Completing internships is an investment in one's future that will pay off in the long run.