Power of internship in career development.

Power of internship in career  development.


An internship is:
A structured work experience related to a
student's major and/or career goal
An experience that should enhance a
student's academic, career, and personal
development
Supervised by a professional in the field
An experience that can be one academic
term (summer, spring, fall) or multiple
academic terms in length
Paid or unpaid, part-time or full-time
An experience that is mutually agreed upon
by the student, supervisor and/or faculty
member
Meets registration requirements for 0
credit hour or academic internship course
It’s important to note that to qualify as an
internship the position does not have to be
labeled “internship”. Many part time jobs,
volunteer opportunities, or even summer
jobs can qualify as an internship.
Internships might also be called a
practicum or co-op.


Benefits of an Internship

One of the recurring themes in any entry level job
search is the lack of experience factor. "Where do
I get experience if no one is willing to hire me?"
The answer is simple: Get an internship!
Students planning to enter the permanent work
force should complement their academic
preparation with a range of other experiences,
such as study abroad, community service,
undergraduate research experiences, participation
in sports and other student organizations,
membership in pre-professional organizations, and
internships.
An internship offers you the chance to learn by
doing in a setting where you are supervised by a
work-place professional, and have the opportunity
to achieve your own learning goals, without the
responsibilities of being a permanent employee.
An internship also offers you the opportunity to
work with someone who can become a mentor for
you - not only in the internship, but throughout
your career.
Career Exploration
Learn about a career field from the inside
and decide if this is the right career field
for you
Work alongside a professional in your
chosen career area
Observe the work place and see if it
matches expectations
Leadership and Skill Development
Learn new skills and add to your knowledge
base while gaining confidence in your
abilities
Opportunity to practice communication and
teamwork skills
Gain industry knowledge first hand from
an organization and professionals
Provide evidence that you have initiative,
are reliable, and have a sense of
responsibility
Apply some of the ideas learned in school
and provide a bridge between school and
the professional world
Achieve a sense of accomplishment by
contributing to an organization
Networking and Establishing Mentors and
References
Meet new people and practice networking
skills while establishing a network of
professional contacts, mentors, and
references
Open the door to a recommendation for
steps to take next on your career path
Resume Enhancements
Gain valuable experience and
accomplishments to add to your resume
and/or enhance your application to
Graduate School
Create an advantage over other job or
graduate school applicants
Potential for a full time job offer at the
end of the internship based on your.
performance.



Culled from
PomerantZ Career Center.