It is becoming a noticeable trend that more and more universities and colleges all across the globe are implementing internships into their curriculums, but are they really essential? Nowadays if you want to find a job in your field of study, employers usually request prior work experience and skills, but how do you get it when you just finished school? One way of doing so is to go on an internship. Internships are short-term professional learning experiences, usually without pay, which give students the opportunity to gain practical skills and know-how already during their studies and give them a head-start in their future careers. However, that’s not the only thing an internship can give you, so here are a few more benefits of an internship for your personal and professional development!
Professional Attitude Development
Professionalism is very important and is one of the best ways to show that you are taking your job seriously and that you have the knowledge and training to comply with the standards of your chosen profession and workplace. Of course, every company has a different organizational culture, and the definition of professionalism will vary from place to place, but whether it is about dressing professionally, being a team player or being respectful towards your co-workers, all of these qualities are learned through hands-on experience which you can gain during an internship.
Stronger Personal Character
Recently employers have started looking for not only experience but also personal qualities in candidates. Characteristics like commitment, self-motivation, reliability, and proactivity are only a few of the career-developing qualities gained through an internship.
Job Experience
As mentioned before, an internship gives you the needed work experience to aid you while applying for jobs. Having an internship in your CV increases your chances of landing a job up to 20% more easily than candidates with the same educational background without an internship.
Mentorship
One of the nicest components of an internship is having a mentor. Mentors can provide you with industry exposure, general career advice, and assistance with specific job-related challenges.
Professional Network Growth
Networking is the development of professional relationships that can benefit your further career path. It’s about knowing people in the industry you want to work in, which could lead to a potential job, serve as a reference on your CV or just lead to completely new opportunities altogether. Internships are the perfect place for connecting with these people.
Not only are internships incredibly beneficial and important for students, but they are also an excellent opportunity for employers as they might find new talent that they get to put through an extended interview process that goes beyond the traditional interview.
Internships and schools both play a critical role in preparing students for the workforce. While interning at a company you should make sure to get to know all your colleagues and show your skills and abilities because it could lead to a job opportunity and that’s what it’s all about in the first place. If you want to know more about how to get a job from an internship and motivate yourself look at the success stories at our blog!