Here are some of the major benefits of doing an internship as a student or new graduate:
- Gain valuable work experience - Internships allow you to put academic knowledge to practical use in a real-world setting. In applying for jobs, this experience can be a valuable asset.
- Explore career options - Internships let you test out different careers and companies to see if it's a good fit for your interests and skills. It helps to determine the path of your career.
- Make connections - Interacting with professionals and building relationships with colleagues can expand your professional network. These connections can lead to job opportunities.
- Develop skills - Hands-on experience in a role allows you to develop and strengthen useful skills like communication, critical thinking, technical abilities, time management, etc. These can be transferred to other jobs.
- Learn about a field / industry - You get an insider's perspective and understanding of the industry by observing professionals at work. This will help you determine if you want to work in this industry.
- Gain confidence - Applying skills and achieving objectives boost confidence in your abilities. In future internship / job interviews, this self-confidence will be useful.
- Academic credit - Many college programs award academic credit for internships, allowing you to gain credits towards graduation.
- Potential job offer - Impressing the employer can lead to a job offer from the company post-graduation. Many companies hire interns in full-time roles.
Overall, internships provide the opportunity to augment your classroom learning with real-world skills and experience. This can greatly benefit your career development and marketability.
