College Internships & Career Guide
Practical Help to Find, Choose and Make the Most of College Internships
A 4.0 GPA is something to brag about, but even the best students usually aren’t entirely ready for the real working world. Classroom knowledge is only part of the equation in forging a successful career, and even the brightest college graduates will likely start their first jobs not understanding what will be required on a daily basis. Fortunately, employers know this, and expect to offer training to bring new hires up to speed. This learning curve can be less steep when incoming employees already have some experience under their belt—making internships invaluable during the college years. Read more about finding and taking full advantage of an internship.
Benefits & Red Flags of a College Internship
Internships are almost always a positive for college students, but some are better than others—and some might not be the right move at all. Before accepting a position, it’s a good idea to be aware of how internships can be beneficial for your future as well as the red flags to look out for and avoid.
BENEFITS
Hands-on job experience.
The best way to learn is by doing. An internship provides the opportunity to not just apply classroom learning to the real world, but gain practical skills as well.
Meaningful connections.
Many jobs are obtained through connections. Internships provide networking opportunities and ways to meet people who can serve as mentors.
An opportunity to “test drive” a career.
Ideally, an internship will provide a taste of a particular job, which can help a student decide if that’s the right career path for them. If not, there’s often still plenty of time to make changes.
Excellent resume boost.
A great internship helps any resume, especially if it provides a student with hands-on experience in their field. It also serves as proof to employers that a graduate is serious about their chosen profession.
Help society.
Many students take internships with non-profits and other charitable organizations that provide beneficial services for a local community or society as a whole. The work of interns allows these organizations to save precious financial resources.
RED FLAGS
Menial Work.
Don’t let an internship be a euphemism for “grunt work.” While spending a little bit of time filing or answering the phone is okay, menial work should be limited.
No clear mentorship.
Because employers know an intern’s stay is temporary, they may not bother to invest the time and effort to properly train and teach an intern. This can lead to a lack of mentors.
Vague Job Descriptions.
If the job description is so vague that it could be for any line of work, steer clear. These allow employers to change the job duties to suit what they need at the moment, which may not serve a student’s future career interests.
No clear projects for previous interns.
“Good experience” on a resume only works if it really is good. When interviewing, ask about specific projects previous interns completed. If there’s no clear answer, it might indicate the employer provides little in the way of a learning experience.
No payment.
Unpaid internships might be okay in the case of a school that allows for college credit in lieu of payment, but if you’re working for free, make sure the internship is a good fit for you.
Students who identify potential red flags can be proactive about the experience, turning a potentially disastrous internship into a beneficial one. For example, if an internship isn’t paid, the student can make arrangements to get college credit for the experience. Or, if the internship seems to be all menial work, an intern can suggest tackling a project that would be rewarding to the student and employer both.
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Determining the Right Internship for You
There are numerous internships available for students in almost every field, each of which may have its particular upsides and downsides. When choosing, think about what’s realistic for you in terms of the actual work, as well as what your end game is.
Paid
Some form of compensation, such as a stipend or hourly wage, is required by law for internships in for-profit companies unless specific requirements are met. Not-for-profits have more leeway, so students may find less competition for these spots.
For-credit internships
Internships that offer academic credit are extremely popular on both sides. It gives some organizations a way to host interns without having to pay them, but students get a bonus because they save money on tuition.
Externships and job shadowing
Externships are internships that last a relatively short period of time (less than a month), but still go beyond a one- or two-day job shadow. They’re an excellent way to get a fast dose of a potential career without a longtime commitment.
Service learning
Service learning internships involve working in a community or public service setting where the organization’s goal is to help others. They’re ideal for students interested in social welfare—both during the internship and in the future.
Temporary and short-term
Internships, by definition, should be accomplished during a finite period, usually either a semester or year. However, in some situations, such as completing an apprenticeship in a highly skilled trade, a student may require more time.
Virtual internship
Remote work is increasingly popular in a technological society, and some organizations may have few (or no) physical facilities. These internships may appeal to students who require more flexibility, and whose work suits the virtual environment. Virtual internships may be especially appealing to students already comfortable with working remotely such as those who have earned an online bachelor’s degree or who are considering enrolling in an online master’s program.
In some industries, unpaid internships are more typical than others. For example, non-profit organizations may only offer unpaid internships due to budgetary constraints. If a company can afford to pay an intern, they certainly should make the effort. Ultimately, the position should be to value of the student and their learning, rather than to fill a staffing void for the employer.
Deanna Parkton
Checklist for Landing an Internship
Getting an internship is relatively easy, although getting the best one is a bit more challenging. The following is a list of major steps prospective interns should take during the process of finding the ideal internship.
Finding an Internship
The internet contains a treasure trove of websites that can help you find the right internship. Explore several to find out what offers the best returns in your particular field or interest. Below are a few to get started:
A career network for college students and recent graduates who seek internships and full-time employment with major companies.
An online search tool that matches entry-level jobs and internships with college students and recent college graduates.
Helps college students find international internships.
A search tool that focuses on community and public service internships.
7 Tips to Make the Most Out of Your Internship
Landing a great internship is only the first step. The next one is to make it really count. With a smart approach, students can turn the opportunity into a slam-dunk work and learning experience—and gain skills and habits that will be valuable down the road.
Students should be an active participant in their positions. Take the initiative if you know something needs to be done. Develop your reputation as someone who takes action and can be trusted to follow through. Employers will invest time and resources in training a doer rather than try to motivate someone to complete a task.
Deanna Parkton
Alternative Ways to Get Valuable Work Experience in College
After looking into internships, some students may decide that they just aren’t the right path to take. In that case, there are plenty of other ways to get valuable work experience while in college.
Additional Resources
Students looking for more information about internships have a plethora of resources to choose from online. Here are a few:
Run by Lauren Berger, this site focuses on promoting Ms. Berger’s brand, but also lists numerous internships and has an extensive series of informative blog posts.
While primarily an internship matching service, this site has a comprehensive resources page encompassing all aspects of the internship process.
This site has a section called Quintessential Careers, which provides a wide array of job and career advice, including information relating to internships.
Part of the more famous Monster job searching company, Monster College also lists internship opportunities, and offers articles and advice about interning.
Most well-known for its resources for getting into college, Unigo also has career advice for current and recently graduated college students.
The US government’s explanation of whether an internship must be paid under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Current and future interns can get advice and information from more than 600 articles on career topics.
