| Internships and What They Have to Offer |
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Today, it seems as if more people are getting better experiences out of internships then they have in the past because students are doing the research to find the best internship experience suitable for them. If you are looking for an internship and want to gain valuable experience from it, not just to put it on your resume or get paid, here are some factors you may want to consider while searching for an internship. Paid vs. Unpaid The majority of paid internships are found in large businesses. Some business that offer well paid internships are consulting, investment banking, commercial banking, accounting, information technology, venture capital, entertainment, and marketing. Whereas in entertainment and book publishing you may not find a paid internship because there are so many people trying to get into those industries. However you will find that most industries do offer some paid internships to attract talented students. Organizations are also realizing that students are motivated by paid internships simply to cover the basic necessities because most have to give up work in order to fulfill an internship. So now traditional unpaid internships come with one time stipends of $2,500 or more to help cover the students costs of living. Unpaid internships offer valuable work experience as well. There are a number of unpaid internships such as at non-profit organizations in your area, campaigning for your local congressman, working in a hospital lab, or legal assistant. The internship opportunities seem endless but what’s most important is that you find an internship in your area of study and get the most of out it. Paid or not paid, you'll make connections, learn new things, and gain a better understanding of the field. Credit vs. Non-Credit Some colleges grant college credit for approved internships in hope of steering students toward real-world experiences that an internship can provide. Some schools even require students to be involved in an internship as part of their curriculum because they see the importance of them. Mentor-Led vs. Self-Directed If you work best when you develop and structure your own work then you are self-directed. If you want to learn new things on the company’s products or technology seeking a mentor would be your best bet. A mentor can be anyone from an academic advisor or professor that specializes in your field of interest. Don’t depend fully on the mentor but use them as a guide. Let them know what the internship entails so they can give you any insights that might be helpful. School-Time vs. Summertime You will find that some internships are available during the school semester while others may only be available during the summer months. Since internships are meant to give you a valuable work experience companies don’t want your schoolwork to suffer so keep that in mind when deciding on when you should do an internship. Part-Time vs. Full-Time Internships are great experiences so some companies often extend the opportunity into a full time position where a student would take a semester or year off from school and focus solely on the internship. If done, this experience can be extremely rewarding along with providing a break from your academic studies. Other times, internships are extended through the academic year where the student still goes to school. With part time internships you’ll still gain valuable insight of what the company does and still be able to graduate with your class. Internships are great learning opportunities and a good way to get your foot in the door with a company you may want to work for upon your graduation. Get involved with one or more internships to gain experience and give you insight as to what type of work you might be interested in doing. |
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