Internships are filled with opportunities. They help students apply knowledge that has been learned in the classroom, gain experience in their desired work field, and strengthen their resumes.
All students should be required to apply for and work an internship while in college. This won’t just be a new “annoying” requirement that students have to complete, but a chance to better themselves in their future careers.
According to livecareer.com, employers want to see experience in new college grads they hire. It also states that 95 percent of employers said candidate experience is a factor in hiring decisions, due to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
There are several resources at Pierce College that students can use to learn about internships, and how to find them. The Career and Technical Education (CTE) program offers to help students with internship opportunities. Students just have to make an appointment with one of their counselors, and this can easily be done through the Pierce College website.
There are also workshops on campus that help students work on and improve their resumes when applying for jobs and internships, and there are workshops that help students find jobs and internships. This help is provided by the Career and Transfer Center (CTC) located in the Student Services Building.
Working an internship will give students a better understanding of their major field. You don’t want to step into the work field you’ve always wished for once you’ve already graduated only to find out it’s something you don’t enjoy.
Internships can help you decide whether the subject you’re majoring in is really the right suit for you. This is why it is important for students to obtain an internship while in college.
Try finding an internship that is based on your major, because if you work for one that isn’t, it will be hard to find jobs after you graduate.
Internships will also help students build a network. All the people you meet while interning are people you can add to your network. These are people you can call when you’re getting close to graduating, and they can help you find a job.
Internships will serve as references on your resume when applying for jobs as well.
If you’re not sure of which area you want to work in your major field, an internship will help you see all the different options and careers that are available to you.
There are internships that don’t have you doing anything that you’re actually supposed to. They’ll have you running errands like getting coffee, making copies and organizing files. It’s tedious work that is not part of your job description. It is best to find an internship through school instead of finding one on your own to avoid an internship like this.
The United States Department of Labor lists six criteria that must be applied to internships. The criteria includes the following:
An internship must include an educational environment, the experience must be for the benefit of the intern, they should not replace a regular employee and work under the supervision of staff, the employer should not take advantage of the trainee’s duties, they are not entitled to a job at the end of the internship and should understand that they do not have to earn wages for the internship.
A lot of students get the idea that all internships are unpaid, but this isn’t true. There are many internships that do pay you, you just have to look for the right ones. A counselor can help you with this as well.
Paid or not paid, you still earn the knowledge needed to succeed in your career. It’s a priceless experience.
