IMPORTANCE OF INTERNSHIPS DURING MBA
Internships are investments in one’s future, regardless of whether they are paid, are for credit, or are unpaid and are not-for-credit. These factors do not change its value. Often, students are reluctant to pursue internships because they worry theyll be stuck doing menial tasks like getting coffee or making copies. The truth is that although not all internships pay in cash they do pay in other ways. Employers in today’s labor market rely heavily on resumes that illustrate a relevant work history, whether that’s from internships, volunteer work, or actual job experience. A practical work background carries a major significance when attempting to enter the job market. It’s all about competition. Not only all businesses competing against each other for a competitive advantage, but people are also competing to land that coveted position in a company. If the student is looking to gain experience, working as an intern is arguably the most advantageous plan of action. That one internship done over summer could be the difference between winning a job opportunity and losing it. If the student is lucky enough to get a valuable internship, it can be extremely important towards their career. If that information alone is not persuasive enough, here is a list of reasons why involvements in internships are central for the advancement of a student’s future career. Exposure An internship allows the student to achieve first-hand experience of working in the real world. It also allows students to yoke the skill, data, and academic practice that they learnt in university. The student can obtain infinite amounts of education in their life; nonetheless, that knowledge does not always convert to the working life. The big thing about internships is that it teaches young professionals about the precise industries and companies they are attracted to. Even the familiarity of trying something new is very helpful. A lot of people get stuck in routines, staying in the same town, attending the same schools or surrounding themselves with the same people. Doing an internship exposes them to new people in a more controlled and stable environment. An intern is not thrown into the wolves but rather given proper training, assignments, and duties without the added pressure. Internships provide a pleasant learning opportunity for students who do not have much experience of the professional world. Networking Internships often give candidates the prospect of attending meetings and events. By working with professionals, students develop their connections and find out how to converse in professional surroundings. Networking has helped students get hold of references and hit upon new job opportunities. Internships can even provide students with a professional mentor. Networking is an exchange of information between people, with the ultimate goal of establishing acquaintances and relationships to advance the intern’s professional career. The student can attend a networking event without doing an internship, but he would be limiting himself. Partaking in an internship allows students to establish deeper relationships than they normally would by talking to a stranger one-on-one. Being an intern gives students more opportunities to build connections with company professionals that can be very beneficial for their future career. Even if they think that they are not in need of it, it is always good to have a backup plan. Life is volatile and a time may arise when a network may come in handy. It is advisable to make sure to carry some business cards at all times because networking can occur anywhere or anytime and maybe even at a local coffee shop! Resume Builder The importance of a strong resume is unmatched. Without a solid resume it can be very tough to be considered for a position. And it is almost impossible to have a strong resume without any experience. Internships are imperative to building the experience of a student or recent graduate. Employers will obviously look to employ the candidate who has done more internships and has some professional experience rather than someone who has a general resume with no significant experience. While one may get second chances when talking to someone face-to-face, the resume will not. One should think of their resume as an extension of their self and how they would want someone to perceive them. Instead of thinking long term about landing the job, one must switch their mindset to short term. Their short term goal should be to secure a job interview. Once they get an interview, then they will be able to elaborate on why they are deserving of working with that company. There is one specific section on the resume that employers will be more interested than any other section and that section is the one on experience. Internships are the perfect way to enhance one’s resume through relevant experiences. When an employer sees that the candidate has done an internship over the summer, for a immense span of six months and maybe even abroad, it goes a long way to convincing them that the candidate will bear out to be an advantage to their company. It is not enough to merely illustrate that they have done some time as an intern. It is important to list the tasks done and projects participated in to demonstrate their value. During the internship one can acquire new skills and abilities which can improve the candidate as a young professional, and furthermore enhance their resume. The more experience one can acquire, the better they can position themselves for success in landing a job. Time Management As an intern the student will become a master of time management. When one is working in a fast paced professional environment he will need to know every minute counts. Time management is fundamental in every situation whether one is sitting in meetings, finishing tasks within their deadlines or even just making phone calls. Career Foundation Internships provide students with the building blocks needed for their future. Many internship opportunities help set the foundation for their career. It is important that they choose the internships based on their interests and career prospects. As an intern students will have the opportunity to get their foot in the door with a company. Employers often use internships as a recruitment tool to test out future employees and in many cases, companies hire interns after graduation. Internships are great tools to improve a student’s chances as a job applicant and help make them a better potential employee. So students should make the investment in their career and look into becoming an intern. Transition into a Full-Time Position Sometimes graduating from college and immediately jumping into a new job position has its disadvantages. When one starts out, they are the most vulnerable employee when it comes to layoffs. If one has never worked full-time before, the change may be difficult or overwhelming. In a working environment, not every boss is tolerant of mistakes. In an economy where one cannot afford to lose their job, not being able to quickly adapt can be devastating. Internships offer opportunities to transition into full-time positions. Although, it is not guaranteed, most employers are always seeking to add value to their organization. With an internship, students are given the opportunity to showcase their talents, commitment, and value to a prospective employer. Furthermore, employers are more inclined to hire the people that they have invested time and money to train. Given these points, an internship is more than crucial for one’s future career. An internship is the building blocks necessary for creating the path to a successful career. So the next time one is on a gap year or summer break, they might want to consider indulging in a meaningful internship and build towards their future. The Opportunity to Learn More about Yourself The experiences we have at various junctures are important in giving us shape and direction later in life. An internship will not only support personal growth, but will also encourage greater accepting of one’s own self. To know one is to know one’s goals and how to best achieve them. Finding this level of clarity is difficult, but sometimes all it takes is trying someone new, and out of one’s comfort zone. For example, when a business marketing student chooses to do an internship related to his field of study, then that internship will offer him the chance to explore a career in business marketing. Sometimes, the harsh reality does not meet the expectations of the student. At this point, the student is given a chance to decide whether they wish to continue with their current career path or try something else. Internships are a Learning Experience Internships are a great way to learn the ropes as long as the student is learning about the field and takes advantage of the opportunity and does not take the experience lightly. Asking questions is one key to learning in an internship and keeping oneself flexible throughout the internship can open many doors. By doing a great job and completing more than what is required of one in his internship, one will be able to create a great impression that can provide a great reference letter at the least and may even potentially lead to a potential job offer. When one leaves the company after completing their internship, it is significant to ask for a recommendation letter that they can keep on file for potential reference.