Understanding Internships (Part 1 of 3)
What is an Internship?
Are you struggling to find internships? Should you take a paid or unpaid internship? As one gets closer to graduation, your search can become chore that seems to never end. This 3-part series will help you understand more about internships, the application process, and offer student perspectives on unpaid internships.
What is an internship?
“Internships are either full or part-time ‘pre professional’ opportunities that can offer experience and skill development in a student’s area of interest.” said Jean Riordan, Executive Director for UIC Career Services. These temporary professional roles are presented to students as a way to gain work experience in a chosen field of study. Interns can often expect entry-level and the opportunity to work with mentors in upper management, while building a network of professional contacts.
For those who are uncertain of what career to pursue, think of an internship as a test drive. Jean mentioned, “Ideally, internships are a great opportunity for students to explore a career path to see if it is a good fit.”
What are the benefits?
Internships benefit both students and companies. For students, it provides the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting. Internships also offer personal growth, development of transferable skills, and boost the possibility of direct job offers. Jean added, “Employers want experience – even in a good job market. It’s the only way they have evidence that you are capable of doing the work. Having a degree is necessary, but it’s only part of the picture.”
Employers invest in interns through mentorship. It serves as a way to gauge the potential of new applicants and possibly train future full-time employees. It also allows employers to manage recruitment and training costs. Additionally, hiring interns builds relationships with universities, provides fresh perspectives, and creates company visibility.
What should students look for in an internship?
Seek internship opportunities that are relevant to your career goals and identifying responsibilities that will help build and hone your professional growth. Try to find internships that offer substantive experience with active involvement from management.
There are also some red flags to watch for. Avoid opportunities that charge fees or offer unrealistic compensation for the hours worked. Additionally, steer clear of internships that hire on the spot with no interview. If you encounter anything that feels unusual, feel free to contact Career Services to help you check it out.
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Check back for Part 2: Finding Internships, Applications, and Interviews.