I'm Out of Work, I Need a Job
Custom Search
Knowing If an Internship Is Really for You
Getting into an internship program is similar to having a job. You take an internship to have more experience and exposure to your chosen field. Although some common stereotypes of internships involve getting coffee and accomplishing mundane tasks like photocopying and faxing, other programs are actually much more substantial. You may get to assist with projects, attend planning meetings, or even help develop an advertising campaign.
Regardless of the things you've heard about being an intern, you may still be thinking seriously about applying for one. Nevertheless, you want to know if this path is the one that you really want to take. Do you even need an internship? Here are some thoughts to ponder on to know if internship is really for you.
Is It A Requirement?
First, you should know whether getting an internship is a requirement of your program. If your college curriculum requires you to have an internship to complete your degree, then obviously, you need to do what it takes to get into one.
If this is the case, try to contact graduates of your department and find out if they found an internship beneficial to their career goals, and if so, where they interned. Their lived experience of whether an internship improved their chances of getting the job they wanted will be useful to you. Additionally, talk to your career placement college office or academic advisor. Not only do they have connections with people who may be looking to hire interns, but they also might be able to give you information about companies looking for interns or links to significant websites.
Your Field
If your field is a competitive one like entertainment or sports, then having an internship would definitely give you an edge over the competition. It is very difficult to get into these fields, especially if you don't have any practical experience in the workplace. Sometimes, students even go through two on-the-job training programs for particularly competitive fields.
In your classroom studies, it is also best to take the most advanced classes possible. This applies both to electives or requirements. Employers want to see people who work hard, not people who try to skate through on easy A's. Read about your chosen field with an eye to how professionals in it make connections, for instance by joining professional associations or attending important workshops and seminars.
Impressions
Next, try to honestly answer what impression do you have about the people working at your potential internship site. Your probable co-workers ought to be supportive of your career and educational goals instead of treating you as a gofer and only giving you menial tasks. If they appear condescending or doubtful of your abilities, you will probably want to avoid working there. You don't want your first work experience to be in a toxic organization.
Does It Make Sense?
You should also know what kind of work or tasks you will be doing for your potential employer. There is some point in every job in which one needs to contribute to the less involving tasks such as making copies, sorting mail, and filing. On the other hand, you wouldn't want such tasks to be the highlight of your whole internship experience. Although such tasks seem easier than what is really expected of you, you are the one who loses the opportunity to practice skills that you will be using when you get a permanent position. Worse, if prospective employers get the impression that you skated through your internship by picking up all the scutwork and avoiding challenging yourself, you may find it hard to get jobs that involve real responsibility.
Don't be afraid to ask about the training you will have to undergo and the kinds of projects that past interns have done. Internship programs change, but by asking recent interns you can at least have an overview and sense of the things you will be doing for the next few months.
