1. What is an internship? An internship is a position which allows a student to gain professional experience in an occupational area they are considering. Typically the position has a level of responsibility that allows a student to develop new skills in the field and offers the student training and supervision that facilitates learning.
2. What types of internships are available? Internships may be paid or unpaid, for credit or not-for-credit, and are available in a wide variety of fields from both the private and non profit sectors of the job market. Internships are available locally, nationally, and internationally. Many internships offer a monetary award such as a stipend, salary, bonus, or money to cover transportation and/or food costs.
3. How useful is an internship? Internships provide opportunities to experiment and pursue careers that match academic and personal interests. There are many benefits to completing an internship. The development of teamwork skills, the chance to develop industry-specific abilities and build professional networking contacts are just a few advantages. The most important factor is that employers consider their interns as best potential candidates for full-time positions.
4. When should you start looking for an internship? Allow yourself enough time to locate and apply for rewarding internships. You can work with a career counselor, complete a self-assessment, review internships and career resources. Don’t forget to check classified ads for potential employers and bulletin boards at your university.
5. Is one internship enough? Employers are becoming more demanding and rank internships the second most important quality in a candidate. The more internships, the better preparation you will have for the demands of a global workplace. Individuals that complete internships report a higher satisfaction level with their jobs, compared to those with no internship experience. Several internships will help you crystallize your job interests and abilities. They will also improve your career decision-making.
