Every year, countless new graduates are flooding the workforce, hoping to get a good-paying job. However, the opportunities available are often few compared to the number of people vying for the same position. If you will soon graduate, or you’re one of those who are still finding it tough to start a career, then you should consider applying for an internship.
It’s a trainee role that may not even be a paying position. Though, some companies indeed pay their interns. But besides earning some monetary allowance, there are other advantages that an internship can offer you. Here are eight benefits of an internship for your future.
Improve Your Resume
Your resume is the first thing a company will look at when you apply for a job. However, it’s hard to make your resume attractive to a prospective employer if you do not have work experience or anything that could make your application stand out. If you find yourself in this situation, you can apply for a role in companies looking to hire scholars, college students, or even high school graduates for their internship programs.
Jumpstart Your Career
Finding a paying gig is not too hard. You can always work as a temp at an office or staff at a restaurant. However, being employed is not the same as building a career. If you want to build your career, there are steps involved. Entering an internship program from a company belonging to your chosen field is a good start. The internship offers you an overview of the career possibilities you can take and a chance to see if the industry is the right one for you.
Opportunity For Permanent Employment
It is often challenging to land an entry-level job if you’re a new graduate, let alone secure a position from top global companies. If you are eyeing a company to work for, you might want to consider applying for their paid internship program first.
As an intern, you now have your foot on the door of the job you’ve been dreaming of. All you must do is excel and work hard to get offered a permanent position. Figures from the National Association of Colleges and Employers show that 60% of paid internships turn into permanent job offers.
Acquire Much Needed Experience
Not all companies offer paid internships. So, if you can’t find a paid internship program for your chosen career path, you might as well consider applying for unpaid ones. You may not receive a monetary reward from such an arrangement. Still, it will give you valuable experience which you can use to apply for a permanent position in other companies.
Just make sure that the unpaid internship you choose will provide you with hands-on experience and impart knowledge or skills you can use later. There’s little value if you work as an unpaid intern for a company that will not give you the chance to learn and apply skills in the real world.
Have A Peek At Your Chosen Career
Many people choose specific career paths based on the experience of friends and family. For example, many people plan to work in hospitals because of the promise of the perceived prestige they see in other people. However, hospital work is often physically and emotionally demanding. And most would-be hospital workers are not ready for that kind of job.
So, if you are not yet sure about the career you want to take, you may want to consider applying for an internship. It will give you an idea of the ins and outs of your desired career path. The experience will give you insights and realizations that can help you determine if the job or industry is indeed the right fit for you.
Get Insights About Your Strengths
Besides giving you an overview of your career path, an internship program will also allow you to discover your strengths. You will learn what type of tasks you are good at and excel in. You will know which roles will make you happy. After you finished your training program, you can start eyeing the right job position to apply for.
Know Areas For Improvement
Another benefit you can get from an internship program is learning about the things you ought to improve on. Besides securing an insight into your strengths, you will also know your weaknesses and do something about them before entering the job market. Maybe you need to learn new skills or practice more on what you have learned in school.
For example, if you are an English major and want to work as a copywriter, you can work as an intern for an advertising company. By doing so, you will know what skills you need to excel in your career. Also, your internship experience may give you an idea of which specific applications or computer software you need to brush upon.
Build Your Professional Network
If you want a successful career in top global companies, you can’t live in a bubble. It would be ideal to build lasting relationships with key people in your chosen career field. Many people have landed lucrative and fulfilling job positions through networking.
In many industries, getting a job is all about knowing the right people. You can expand your contacts by attending events, participating in forums, or even from mutual connections with family and friends. Another efficient way to meet people in your field is through an internship.
As an intern, you will have a chance to meet various professionals. Apart from your direct supervisor and team members, you will be introduced to other groups and interns from different departments. You may even have an opportunity to meet and build relationships with the company’s clients.
The professional relationships you create during your internship will last and grow. Ensure that you ask questions and show genuine interest at work. Sometimes, you can even find mentors who will be more than willing to impart their knowledge and show you the ropes if you manifest the willingness and desire to learn.
The Bottom Line
Most companies create internship programs to provide training to industry neophytes who do not have experience in their chosen field. But other than learning new skills and gaining experience, you can enjoy additional benefits from an internship role that can positively impact your future career.
