The Value of Internships

Recent graduates are feeling the stress of a shaky economy and high unemployment. You’ve placed all your faith (and money) in the belief that a good education will lead to a great career. But even with your impressive GPA and perfectly worded cover letter, you still don’t have the practical work experience to get noticed by hiring managers. What you need is an internship.

Internships are on the rise as more companies are forced to lay off full-time employees. Unpaid or low paid interns fill gaps in employment and can easily pick up some of the work that gets neglected when staffing is low.

Leave your ego behind as it may not be the most challenging tasks you are given. Instead, focus on all the benefits gained from an internship:

• Gets your foot in the door and your face in front of decision-makers

• See first-hand what the day-to-day life is like in this career (real world is often quite different from what is learned in the college text books)

• Gain skills that can be highlighted on your resume

• Make the most of the opportunity to network with a variety of people in your field of interest

Hiring managers are evaluating interns for full-time employment, so approach the internship not as a low-paid student, but as a working professional hungry for a chance to grow and be recognized. Be on time to work each day, complete projects when due, seek out challenging tasks and ask for additional work, and be positive, enthusiastic, and respectful.