7 Reasons Why You Should Get a College Internship

Any student who has looked for a college internship will tell you that finding the right one can be difficult, but it is well worth the effort.

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Before we get into how to find a college internship, consider the significance of college internships. There is no denying the financial advantages that an internship can provide – it can provide invaluable experience that will help you build a solid professional foundation as you begin your career journey. This can lead to more opportunities after graduation, a higher earning potential, and a network of contacts that will be useful for years to come.

• A college internship can lead to job. Internships help you perform in this manner because they are designed to provide you with experience and exposure to a real-life business environment. Experienced workers are always beneficial to businesses and are always on the lookout for them. If you have completed a sufficient number of good internships, you may have an advantage over your fellow students.
• A college internship can help you launch your professional career. According to NACE, one of the top qualities employers look for when hiring is completion of an internship within their industry. It’s more important than your major to them.
• Internships can serve as a practise run for your future career. You might be surprised at how different working in a field is from studying it in a classroom. Use your college internship to gain real-world experience in the field you’re studying for. Take into account your own experience, but also seek advice from current employees.
• As an intern, you can learn new skills. Your industry is likely to have professional systems and procedures that you can only learn on the job. Furthermore, you will gain insight into your professional as opposed to academic strengths and weaknesses.
• Internships can help you expand your professional network. Internships are about learning new skills as much as they are about networking. Establishing relationships, whether with professionals you’re meeting or with other interns you’re working with, can pay off later on as you advance in your industry.
• You can get a professional recommendation. When it comes time to look for a new job, you can ask your boss for a professional recommendation.

Don’t Make These 7 Mistakes When Looking for a College Internship.

• Contacting the incorrect person. Although job and internship listings usually indicate who to contact, if you’re contacting a company directly, make sure to email or call the hiring manager.
• Not conducting preliminary research. Not all college internships are the same. You can find relevant internships for your industry by doing some research. Make a list of all the companies you want to intern at, narrow it down to the ones that are most relevant to your career interests, and then apply to as many as possible. Some companies accept applications up to a year in advance, which may surprise you.
• Sending out generic resumes and cover letters. Your college internship resume will be competing with many others, so make sure it speaks to the company and the role they are seeking. Read the job posting carefully and highlight your most relevant skills. Explain why your skills are a match for the specific role in your cover letter.
• Not considering the advantages and disadvantages of doing your college internship at a large or small company. There are advantages and disadvantages to doing your college internship at both large and small businesses. At a large company, you’ll be able to put a well-known name on your resume, which will make it stand out. However, you may get lost in the shuffle when it comes to adding tangible accomplishments to your portfolio, so be proactive in making the most of your time there. Small businesses, on the other hand, may not be household names, but they are known for providing interns with more hands-on experience. If possible, try both so you can see what it’s like to work at a large and small company.
• After hearing “no,” I simply walked away. If the company you’re interested in doesn’t offer internships for college students, or if you didn’t get the job, request an informational interview, which is a meeting set up for job seekers to ask advice about their industry. You’re not only learning about the company or the job, but you’re also building a relationship that could help you in the future, such as if you apply for the internship for the following semester.