When I embarked on my professional journey – fresh from university with a degree in English – I had little doubt that I would smoothly transition into the writer/editor career I’d always dreamed of. However, my job hunt proved otherwise as I was faced with one unshakeable requirement: experience. Despite a robust academic background, my work history revolved primarily around banking and business sectors, leaving me devoid of valuable exposure to writing and editing roles.
To avoid such predicaments, I learned, there is a simple yet effective solution: Internships. Let’s dive into it!
The Internship Advantage
Taking on an internship can be a transformative career move where you get to work for a company – often without a paycheck. However, you receive invaluable hands-on experience, often along with some academic credit. It’s about wearing the shoes of a regular company employee and amassing an arsenal of industry-specific skills.
The Employer’s Perspective
A host of organizations regard internships as an experience that transcends classroom learning. As Melissa Benca, Director of Career Services at Marymount Manhattan College, New York City emphasizes, internships are an essential cog in the current economic set-up. An internship-equipped résumé significantly enhances a graduate’s chances of securing a full-time position post-graduation. Many even take on internships after graduation to not only strengthen their credentials but also broaden their networking horizons.
Adults & Internships: A Perfect Match
Adults often find themselves in the precarious equilibrium of managing full-time jobs, academics, home, and familial obligations. Especially for those aspiring for a career switch, internships become vital. A degree may not suffice to transition them successfully into a new career. Demonstrating relevant experience becomes crucial.
Internship opportunities cater to a flexible schedule, sometimes even during weekends. Alternatively, volunteering with an organization could also accumulate vital job-specific experience. Remember, most academic programs do not require internships, so it comes down to the student’s initiative to hone real-world skills prior to hitting graduation.
Graduates often find the brutal reality much different from their college’s dreamy claims. Garnering pertinent experience becomes an uphill task, as most organizations hesitate to gamble on a candidate’s raw potential.
The Compensation Conundrum
The prospect of no monetary compensation might be jarring to someone who has already spent years in the job market. However, don’t lose heart! Internships are not always unpaid. According to National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), a vast majority (93%) of employers planned on paying their interns. Regardless of the pay condition, internships are an unskippable part of the journey for career-shifters competing with younger, fresher peers with the same qualifications.
Where Should You Search for Internships?
- Look to your college’s career office. With their help in résumé and cover letter curation, you can find the perfect internships.
- Your local newspaper often lists various internship and volunteer opportunities.
- Online search – Just enter “internships” followed by your current city or county to uncover a host of them.
- Higher education/scholarship websites offer numerous scholarships and internships based on your interests, ambitions, and skills.
By choosing an internship, you get to:
- Test-drive a new career
- Bolster your résumé with professional experience
- Leverage networking opportunities
- Earn possible college credit
- Find a mentor
- Elevate chances of landing your desired position
- Command potentially higher starting salaries.
Now, it’s time for you to make the next big move in your career journey. Draft that internship application today! If this article rings a bell, don’t forget to read more on our website. Sharing is caring – so if this helps, share it around!
