6 Reasons Why Internships Are Important
College is so busy that it can sometimes be challenging to know how best to prioritize your time — from focusing on your academic load, forging new friendships, engaging in social activities, and perhaps even working a part-time job.
But amid the hustle and bustle, don't forget the opportunity to consider an internship (or two or three!) during your college career.
Internships for college students can significantly help you obtain critical insight into your career path, develop servant leadership skills, and equip you with additional layers of real-world knowledge outside of the classroom. They can also help you get your foot in the door with a company!
Here are six reasons why internships are important.
1. Explore an Industry of Interest
Both unpaid and paid internships for college students provide the unique opportunity to "test-drive" a career or explore an industry that's intriguing to you. You'll gain insight into the types of work environments you like (and don't like!) while seeing how what you're learning in the classroom could translate into a profession.
2. Develop Your Skill Set
You have academic credibility and technical know-how from your courses and field of study. But it's also important to develop soft skills like servant leadership qualities, business communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and more. Internships can quickly hone these skills in a professional setting different from the classroom.
3. Enhance Your Resume
While you may think an internship isn't essential to your resume, hiring managers increasingly value this type of experience.
According to a recent Job Outlook survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), respondents said that internship experience is the most influential factor worth examining while making tough hiring decisions.
4. Expand Your Professional Network
While job fairs and events can build your network, an internship is one of the most powerful ways to interact meaningfully with professionals and potential employers from various departments. Relationships that you create and cultivate during internships will not only serve as references but could also help you find future job leads—they may even hire you themselves!
5. Increase Your Competitive Advantage
Finding the right-for-you job that aligns with your calling can be challenging. But an internship could give you a competitive advantage or even directly lead to that first full-time job after you graduate, paving your path forward more seamlessly.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) found that paid interns get an average of 1.61 job offers after graduation. In contrast, non-interns get an average of 0.77. Moreover, 68% of interns get a full-time offer from the company they interned for.
However, there is some variability here, as there are some companies that offer a greater percentage of interns. For example, over 90% of PwC interns get full-time offers, according to the company's internship page.
6. Boost Your Confidence
An internship can help you feel more confident in your resume, skill set, and job search. That means you'll likely feel better equipped to make the transition from college student to full-time professional.
Internship Opportunities as a DBU Student
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is home to a diverse range of companies, organizations, and small businesses, enabling students in any field to find a position that matches their goals.
Because DBU has a strong relationship with many local companies, students looking for internships near Dallas can feel confident they're accessing opportunities that will help them become lifelong learners. DBU is also a member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), which specializes in providing research and resources to career centers and employers. This allows DBU to pass on resources and assistance to our students.
Many of the internships listed on the DBU Handshake system are paid. Gaining relevant field experience that comes with a paycheck is essential for some busy students who need to maximize the impact of their work.
For international students who are not permitted to work off campus, a job that fulfills an internship requirement can be an exception to this rule. The Center for Career and Professional Development is always available to help students find placements, including those not required to complete internships for their program.
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For students who are passionate about transforming their communities and sharing their faith in real-world settings, internship opportunities are an excellent way to gain valuable work experience and advance your career.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." - Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)
