Importance of internship for students

What is an internship?

 An internship is a program that entails working in an organization for a specified period to gain practical skills in a certain field. It might take place in a private company, non-profit organization, or a government agency including a ministry. Internships are mostly attended by college and high school students as well as graduates entering the job market.

 Internships usually last for between 3 to 6 months but they may be extended depending on the organization. Some schools have made partnerships with organizations that guarantee students internships but students may need to take the initiative to secure internships.

Why is an internship important for students?

 Internship programs are important for students in many ways. They help students apply their academic skills in a real workplace. Students can learn the workplace culture which is not taught in schools. Interns work under professionals from whom they learn valuable skills in their fields of work. Interns also gain soft skills including communication, project presentation, and teamwork, among others. An internship is a pathway to new career and professional opportunities. This article outlines the benefits of internships for students.

Benefits of internship programs

1. Equipping students with practical knowledge

 Internships allow students to apply what they learn in school in a real-life work environment. Schools equip students with academic skills but internships are the bridge between the academic skills and their applications in real life.

2. Exploring career paths

 During internships, many interns get to explore different career paths within their field of study. Schools equip students with general knowledge in their field of study. Each college and university program contains many areas a student can specialize in which are not covered in detail. Each course has various units most of which can be specialized in. For example, a mechanical engineer can explore various paths including manufacturing and Artificial Intelligence. It is during internship programs that students realize these career options.

3. Discovering new interests

 Interns usually discover new professional interests related to their coursework during internships. This will help students make informed decisions on their future academic and career paths. It helps undergraduates discover new interests which may inform their choices regarding graduate-level studies. They might pursue their newfound interests in their further studies.

4. Networking opportunities

 Internships expose students to networking opportunities within and outside their fields of study. In the course of networking, they usually get mentors who nurture them and contribute to their professional growth. Networking also opens doors to future employment opportunities.

5. Earning extra income

 Some organizations offer paid internships to students. These payments mostly take the form of stipends for transport, meals, and upkeep. This is a good source of extra income for students.

6. Internships may add up to your grades

 Some university and college programs require students to attend internships in between their studies before they can graduate. Interns are accessed and their performance is graded. This is usually reflected in their scores which add up to the final grade.

7. Adapting to work culture

 Internships prepare students for future employment. They work in a real-life employment environment which helps them gain corporate skills including office etiquette and general workplace culture. They learn about office practices including time management, communication, and record keeping.

 Internships serve different purposes for different students. For some, it may be a way to earn extra income while in college while for others, it is a stepping stone to future career opportunities. Whatever goals you have, attending an internship program is important as you never know what opportunities it may open up for you.