Internships and Co-operative Work Experiences

Vital Components of Individuation and Career Development

Your son or daughter may have some ideas about the career he would like to pursue. No matter how certain or uncertain he seems about his career path, you can help guide him without taking control or making decisions for him. Effective tools for avoiding some of the pitfalls are at your teen's disposal. Two such tools are the internship and co-operative work experience. Each provides numerous advantages for a student. Here are a few of the benefits.

1. Helps your student individuate – Your teen is growing up quickly and may be out on her own soon if she hasn’t already moved on to college. She will face many more opportunities to make decisions on her own and be held accountable. Internships and co-operative work experiences provide the environment for increased individuation and learning the skills to thrive in a professional workplace and in life. These experiences allow her to further develop her own distinct identity and generate a strong sense of self-worth.
2. Builds her network for college acceptance and a career – Not only will your student’s hands-on work experience look great on his resume, it will serve as fertile ground for networking. This network can encompass both educational and employment connections. According to a 2014 High School Careers Study, the majority (90 percent) of companies surveyed agreed that high school internship programs help students get into better colleges. The study found that “70% of companies say that high school students who complete their programs are either “very likely” or “completely likely” to eventually land a college internship with their company.” Moreover, nearly half (45 percent) believed that their company’s internships have a high likelihood of turning into full-time jobs.
3. Increases chances for employment – Your student will participate in real-life job experiences, with salaries that average up to $16,000 in certain fields. These opportunities allow students to identify areas for improvement, skills they lack, and whether a particular career path interests them. A co-op experience bridges the gap between a college education and the needs of employers. Research indicates that when a student can demonstrate the ability to add value, the co-op employer will most likely offer a full-time position upon graduation. At Drexel University over 50 percent of students are offered jobs by their co-op employers prior to graduation. Additionally, research from the World Association for Cooperative Education indicates that hourly earnings were almost 9 percent higher 10 years after graduation for those students who had co-op experience in college.*
4. Improves the odds of a successful bet – An internship or co-op position can benefit your student with experience that leads to a satisfying career choice. By performing tasks in an environment similar to the one she would be working in for a particular career path, your student can better determine if it is the right path for her. Be sure to support your child – whether it's an internship, a co-op position, or a summer camp program – as she tests the waters of a certain field of interest. By doing so, you will reduce stress, significantly improve the odds of her success and save considerable money.

So now it’s time to find and acquire the right internship or co-op experience! This can be a potent learning experience in itself. Make the process simpler by tapping into your network. Often, finding the right opportunity is all about whom you know.

Encourage your teen to express her interest in pursuing an internship or co-op position with other parents, school guidance counselors, family friends, college advisors and other mentors. Cheerlead as she pursues the right opportunity for herself; don’t do it for her. Below are some local resources to help your student get started. Finally, remember to enjoy the career development process together!

Main Line Today
https://www.mainlinetoday.com/Apply-for-an-Internship/

The Main Line Chamber of Commerce – The Talent and Education Network
https://www.mlcc.org/talent/the-talent-and-education-network/

Main Line Art Center
https://www.mainlineart.org/article/employment/internship-opportunities/

Main Line Health
https://www.mainlinehealth.org/specialties/rehab-art-ability/volunteers-and-interns

Drexel University – How Co-op Works
https://drexel.edu/difference/co-op/how-co-op-works/

About the Author

Mark Blair, CFP?, ChFC?, CLU?, is president of Blair Wealth Management. For on-line review of this and previous columns by Mr. Blair, check the News tab on BlairWealthManagement.com.

Blair Wealth Management is a fee-only registered investment advisory firm that adheres to strict fiduciary standards and partners with individuals, families and business owners to address their most critical challenges, identify their best opportunities, and transform their lives. Learn more about Mark Blair and Blair Wealth Management at blairwealthmanagement.com.

REFERENCES

1. https://millennialbranding.com/2014/high-school-careers-study/
2. https://newsblog.drexel.edu/2014/01/21/put-undergraduates-to-work-for-their-own-good/