Should I do an Internship? YES!

An internship is a work-related learning experience for individuals who wish to develop hands on work experience in a certain occupational field. Internships may be the best thing that you can do for your future. Internships provide work experience opportunities to university students. Employers are willing to hire interns with little or no experience, and whether the internship is paid or unpaid, the benefits are endless. Here are some of the benefits:

Gain Valuable Work Experience
An internship provides the opportunity to gain hands on work experience that you just can’t get in the classroom. College students and first time job seekers aren’t usually desirable candidates, but companies are willing to train them as interns and give them the experience they would need to get a job.

Have an Edge in the Job Market
Employers are usually more concerned with your work experience than your qualifications and internships are often the only way to get the work experience you need to secure a job, so they're a vital part of your resume.

Many employers prefer or require applicants who have done an internship or relevant work experience and in many of the more competitive job markets it is essential to set you apart from the others. Many skills are best learned on the job, and even internships that are not directly related to your career provide you with opportunities to demonstrate your transferable skills, such as leadership, critical thinking, and communication skills.

Transition into a Job
Employers see interns as prospective employees and many finish their internships and continue working with the company full time. Internships are the number one way for employers to find new staff in the US.

Think of it as a really long interview, after which you’ve proved that you are a capable and hardworking employee. During your internship, your mentors and professional colleagues can introduce you to potential employers, plus provide references and describe your accomplishments to assist in your job search.

Decide if this is the Right Career for You
If you’re not sure if this is the right career for you, doing an internship is a great way to try it out. Internships are generally short-term, so you can test your future career without committing and find out if it is a career that will satisfy you.

Networking Opportunities
Internships are a great way to meet people in your field. Even if you have experience, knowing people never hurts. An internship allows you to meet people who might help you land a job later on and give you the contacts in the industry you’re trying to break into.

People who know your potential and work ethic are happy to pass along tips about opportunities, share your information with their friends, and provide you with suggestions on how and where to look for positions once you graduate. Leverage this group of professionals into a network to help you land the position you want.

Apply Classroom Knowledge
As an intern you will gain immediate career-related experiences that complement your academic credentials. Not only can you apply the theories that you learn in class to real experiences, but you can take those experiences back into the classroom.

An internship introduces you to the world of work and how work gets completed beyond academia. It’s a chance to prove the worth of your qualifications and to show that you can perform in the role you've been given.