Here’s why internships matter and how can you make the most of them

Are internships important? “Without a doubt, absolutely yes,” says 莎曼勃士 , a career consultant from Singapore. “In fact, I would go on to say that internships are helpful not only for students but also for anyone who is planning to venture into a new sector or a new role.”

While some believe internships can be useful for students to gain first-hand industry knowledge, others feel they help build a network and give a competitive edge, according to a poll by Get Hired LinkedIn News Asia.

Hear it from the experts below who weigh in on the importance of internships and how they help to promote your personal and professional growth.

Helps to apply theoretical knowledge in the real world

“The academic journey that we embark on serves as a guide, providing us with theoretical knowledge. But once we step out into the working world, the significance of hands-on experience becomes evident. Internships can be seen as stepping stones that help bridge this gap, connecting the theoretical and practical worlds, says Sam Lee Chengyi , managing partner at Paloe, Singapore.?

Lee believes that internships hold immense value. They allow us a sneak peek into the realities of the professional world, helping us apply and understand the concepts learned in the classroom.

“My own university journey was marked significantly by internships, accounting for about 75 percent of my time. This exposure was transformative, shaping me into a well-rounded individual, ready to face the professional world.”

He recalls, “My eight-month internship stint at Standard Chartered remains etched in my memory. I was introduced to the dynamics of listed companies taking private work, making sense of structures like mandatory general offers (MGOs), voluntary general offers (VGOs), and schemes of arrangements. This exposure was truly enriching, providing insights into the nitty-gritty of real-life deals that were not possible to learn from textbooks alone… When I landed my first job, I realised how these internship experiences had already equipped me with an understanding of the field, which proved to be an incredible advantage,” he adds.

Kevin Kan , a career coach from Singapore agrees. Recalling his experience he shares, “As a 16-year-old, I did an internship with an accounting firm. The practical application of academic knowledge allowed me to explore the accounting world. Today, I get to apply this knowledge with the clients I work with.”?

“Whether you are a secondary school student, an undergraduate or MBA, internships allow you to learn how to navigate workplace dynamics, collaborate within teams and develop practical skills specific to your field of interest.”

Helps discover your passion and interests

Internships allow you to assess if the role/the company is something that you want or not, says Samantha. “You may read as many reviews as you’d like, but you will never know of your preferences until you are in it.”??

“You need to ‘date’ your work before ‘marrying’ it. Hence, dedicating a few months to understanding if this is something you want to pursue might be worthwhile,” she adds.??

Provides excellent networking opportunities

“This is a great time for you to explore, observe, network, make mistakes, and identify the gaps you need to fill. This is also the only time you have because the moment you get into a full-time role, you may not have the luxury of time,” shares Samantha.?

Emphasising on the importance of developing networks, Kan says, “In today’s job market where many jobs are not advertised but are created with introductions, networking is an invaluable opportunity gained through internships.”

Conversion into full-time employment

“The greatest advantage of doing an internship for me was the conversion into full-time employment,” shares Kan.?

“The organisation gets to know you and your capability. There is a level of trust that is established for both parties during an internship and I have to tell you, the ‘return offer’ is a big de-stressor,” he adds.

Why are internships important? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below and/or in a post using #GetHiredAsia

• Lessons I have learned during my internships – Adam Ahmad Samdin , head of research at SMU Economics Intelligence Club, Singapore. Join the conversation.
• How I learned to make spreadsheet projection models from the best of the best – Ming Qian Ng , economics undergraduate from NUS, Singapore.

Internships 101: How to land a role in a competitive industry like finance or tech: In this piece, Gianna Prudente , Associate News Editor at LinkedIn, spoke to professionals across various fields to share their advice on what it takes to secure an internship.

• Future of skills, LinkedIn report 2023?
• Having a mentor can supercharge your career. Know the big benefits
• How to discover what you want out of a career and begin your professional journey
• The best pieces of advice that these career experts received

Want to learn more about how you can prepare yourself to thrive in the workplace of the future? Keep an eye out for the next edition of the Get Hired Asia newsletter in two weeks’ time. Make sure you never miss an issue by subscribing here.

Reported By: Neha Jain Kale – LinkedIn News Editor covering jobs and career development in Asia.

Creator Manager: Alita Utari Dewi

Editor’s Note: Some quotes were edited for length and clarity.