The primary focus of college for students is centered around schoolwork such as attending class, lectures, labs, and completing assignments and projects. However, something that will stand out to potential employers when it comes time for graduation is whether a student has taken what they’ve learned in the classroom and applied it to real-world experience, aka an internship.
Internships stand out to employers looking to hire for several reasons. Students with internships on their resume tend to come with some practical experience, industry insight, skill development, networking, and a proven work ethic. All of these factors lead to a confident and desirable candidate.
1. Practical Experience: Obtaining hands-on experience in a professional environment teaches students how companies operate. To an employer, it shows that a student, or candidate, has taken their knowledge from school and applied it in a professional environment.
2. Industry Insight: Regardless of a student’s chosen major, whether it’s finance, business, or marketing, internships show that a candidate has a genuine interest in their field of study.
3. Skill development: Learning the importance of teamwork, communication, and finding resolutions in a professional setting is an experience no academic setting can help you learn. Employers know in a classroom environment those things are taught, but the adjustment into a work setting is where they are developed.
4. Networking: Working in a professional setting gives students a chance to meet and connect with people in the industry in which they are aiming to build their careers. Those connections are a great opportunity not just for the students, but for future employers as well. Having connections with people from various companies and learning how they operate can expand your knowledge of the market or industry you’re working in.
5. Work Ethic: Completed internships show employers that a candidate has dedication and initiative, and employers look for those attributes during their hiring process.
6. Personal Growth – An internship can allow a student to experience a professional interview process, gain an opportunity to be mentored by a mid-level to senior-level manager, and allow them to ask for a professional recommendation once they have completed the internship.
Overall, the skills obtained from internships set students up for success when it comes to landing a job. Employers want to hire someone truly dedicated, who is willing to learn, and who wants to grow within their desired industry and company.
If you’re looking to find an internship, start by checking out your college’s career services office or website. Online job boards such as specific company or staffing agency websites, Indeed, Glassdoor, or LinkedIn also are a great starting point to finding the right internship for you!
Bridge Personnel specializes in a range of roles in the Financial Services, Contact Center, and Non-Clinical Healthcare Industries. Contact us today.