“Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.” -Unknown
Many students nowadays have no idea what they want to do for a job or career because there are so many different fields of work to be exposed to. One way for a student to narrow down their options is to participate in internships. Internships are beneficial during school semesters or during the summer as they will always give you tangible skills that you can take back to any job.
Doing an internship has so many beneficial gains especially for a college student. Internships are a great way to gain experience which a lot of employers are now looking for. An internship would give you the opportunity to use the knowledge you have gained in the classroom and apply it to the real world. You will have the opportunity to know whether or not a certain career is for you before you commit to it.
During an internship you will have multiple chances to network and make new connections that may be advantageous to you in the future and you will also have the opportunity to establish relationships with mentors. There is a possibility that you will be able to get college credit or a certification, which is always great to know especially for those who have courses that require an internship. There is always the fact that you will accumulate new skills, gain a ‘real world’ perspective and have experience that will look great on your resume. Finally, internships might be a stepping stone to a permanent job at the company you’re interning for after graduation.
If you are looking for information about internships, Jena Gasworth is the CDC member you should talk to first. When asked why she thinks internships are important, she stated:
Internships are critical because they provide the opportunity for career discernment. Students gain valuable world experience, build professional relationships, and develop skills. This experience builds your resumé and assists in the post-graduation job search.
Tyler Dunifin is a senior who is graduating this May and has a job lined up after with the company he has been interning for. When asked why he thinks doing an internship is important, he said:
Internships are important because they give you an opportunity to do a ‘trial run’ of working in a certain company or industry before you make the decision to commit to the job full-time. I worked as an intern full-time from January through mid-April in 2016 and now I’m working two days per week as an intern at the same company, and I have learned through this process that the work I have done throughout my internship really is the type of work that I want to be doing when I leave college. An added benefit that I was able to gain from my internship was the security of knowing that I will have a full-time job when I graduate from Hope.
In the graduating class of 2015, 92% of students had participated in experiential learning, 57% of students had participated in at least one internship and 26% of students had participated in more than one internship. You can find more of these statistics in the grad survey, which also has many different interesting facts concerning post-graduate life.
The Internship fair will be held in Maas auditorium on Thursday, February 2, 2017 from 3:00-5:00 pm. Attire is business causal. Make sure to bring copies of your resumé, as this will be a great opportunity for you to meet with employers and learn more about internship opportunities. You can also book an appointment with Jena Gasworth at the Career Development Center – she is more than happy to discuss your options with you!