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Finding a career after college can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t have professional experience. You can only learn so much about an industry from the outside, so it’s often difficult for newbies to a full-time role. By completing an internship during college, however, you can graduate equipped with on-the-job expertise and insider knowledge.
Each company approaches internships differently, but in general, an internship is a short-term, entry-level role that can help you gain skills and knowledge. Having an internship on your résumé can help you stand out in the job search, and some companies even transition interns to full-time employees upon graduation.
Read on to learn more about the value of internships and how they can boost your career.
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Internships, Explained
Internships are short-term opportunities to gain entry-level work experience. Interns usually work alongside a specific team within a company, learning from seasoned professionals and trying out different aspects of the job. Rather than leading their own projects, interns usually complete smaller tasks to support larger organizational initiatives.
College students and recent grads typically fill intern positions, though some are open to people already in the workforce. Internships offer a chance to gain experience in a new field before applying for a full-time position.
Why Are Internships Important?
While in college, you may complete class projects that simulate real-world scenarios. Though these exercises can be informative, they can’t replace hands-on workforce experience. By completing an internship, you can gain deeper insights into your career interests and how your desired industry works.
Below we highlight a few valuable benefits of internships.
Gain Work Experience
Internships let you try different responsibilities at different kinds of organizations. If you are unsure of your professional goals, pursuing multiple internships while completing your degree can teach you about the day-to-day realities of various careers. This firsthand experience can help you narrow your preferences before you graduate and embark on a job search.
A great employer ensures you have plenty of learning opportunities during an internship, exposing you to new aspects of the field while offering mentorship and support. You can participate in large projects and assist people with essential functions of the organization.
Develop Your Skills
Professional settings help you develop hard and soft skills. Ideally, your mentors will have several years of experience in your field and a willingness to help hone your career skills beyond the classroom.
In addition to job-specific competencies, an internship teaches valuable soft skills that help you thrive in a work environment. Each office has its own culture, and adapting to a 9-to-5 job can be challenging. An internship prepares you to navigate this new dynamic. Developing communication and empathy skills can advance your career.
Start Building a Professional Network
The connections you make during an internship can make a big difference to your career in the long run. As an intern, you can turn to mentors and coworkers for guidance about your career path, recommendations and even connections to job opportunities using their professional networks.
As you apply for full-time positions, ask your new network for advice. Someone may know a hiring manager at another organization or offer to write you a letter of recommendation—favors that can help your application get past the first round of evaluations.
Find Job Opportunities
Employers use internships to find, train and test new talent. In a 2022 poll of employers from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), 80% of respondents said internships provide the highest return on investment for finding new employees.
Companies invest time and money into their interns, motivating them to retain promising workers. NACE reports that, on average, 50% to 60% of annual survey respondents say interns at their organizations receive full-time employment offers. NACE’s 2023 report also found that interns transitioning into full-time employment have higher retention rates at their organizations than non-intern hires.
Even if you don’t accept a job offer, an internship familiarizes you with the industry. You can get a feel for your preferred work environments and potential careers as you make connections that can help you land a job you enjoy.
Internships: What To Know
Now that you understand the importance of internships, you may be ready to apply for them. Before you do, however, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Are Internships Paid?
Whether you receive a paycheck as an intern depends on your employer. Interns aren’t considered employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act, so employers do not have to pay them. Some companies offer college credit in lieu of a wage; other internships provide both financial and academic compensation. Interns generally don’t receive job benefits like retirement contributions or health insurance.
Industries like fashion and entertainment are more likely to hire unpaid interns, while other sectors, such as finance and tech, typically pay their interns. Unpaid internships can create disadvantages for people who don’t have the means to take on unpaid labor, especially in industries that require interns to temporarily relocate to expensive hubs like Los Angeles or New York City.
If completing an unpaid internship isn’t feasible, reach out to your school’s career center. Some colleges offer stipend programs to supplement unpaid and low-paying internships.
Do Internships Provide College Credit?
Depending on your employer and your school’s policies, you may earn academic credit for your internship. In fact, some companies only hire unpaid interns who can earn college credits for their internship experience.
Some degree programs may require internships as part of their curricula. Others allow students to complete internships in exchange for elective credits.
Discuss your plans with an academic advisor or a department chair to determine how an internship can integrate into your degree. Once they approve your request, you can enroll in an internship course to receive credit for your labor. Some schools monitor interns’ learning experience by asking them to complete work logs, assignments or evaluations with a supervisor.
Do You Need an Internship to Graduate?
Some degrees require an internship to graduate; others may only recommend internship experience. Depending on your program’s policies, your professors or advisor can help you narrow your interests and find an opportunity that counts toward your degree.
If you are an online student, remote internships are still possible, though they may look a bit different. Some online programs eliminate internship requirements, while others allow students to gain relevant experience at a nearby organization. In some cases, you may need to temporarily relocate near your online school’s campus to complete an internship there.
Do You Need an Internship to Get a Job?
Though employers may not expressly ask for internship experience in a job posting, having it on your résumé demonstrates practical, relevant skills and can make you stand out in the application process.
In a survey of four-year college students, paid interns landed an average of 1.61 job offers, compared to 0.77 offers for students without internship experience, according to a 2022 NACE report.
NACE data also shows that employers rank internship experience among the most important factors they consider when choosing a candidate—second only to the candidate’s academic major. NACE found that when comparing two equally qualified candidates, employers preferred the applicant who had interned at their organization
When Is the Best Time To Complete an Internship?
Undergraduates commonly complete internships in the summer before their senior year or during their final semester. Summer internships are often more convenient, as students don’t have to balance schoolwork with new professional responsibilities.
Hopeful interns should start looking for jobs in the fall. Employers recruit 70% of interns in the fall, according to NACE. Starting the search early gives candidates more time to assess their options, interview and find the right fit.
How To Get an Internship
After a lull due to the Covid-19 pandemic, about half of employers planned to increase intern hiring, a NACE study found. Overall, respondents planned to increase intern hiring by 9.1% in the 2022-23 school year compared to the previous year.
Still, the internship search can feel overwhelming, especially for first-timers. The following steps can help you make the most of it:
- Identify your goals. What would you like to learn more about? Do you need this internship to count for credit? How many hours per week can you take on? Start narrowing your search to meet your criteria.
- Use your resources. In addition to searching online job postings, see if your career center has a job board. Ask your department head or professors if they have any connections or recommendations.
- Prepare and submit your application materials. Polish your résumé and draft a cover letter. The cover letter should explain your qualifications and your interest in the role. You may also need to submit references or letters of recommendation.
- Interview. Do your research before your interview date. Read about the company’s values and history and make a list of questions you want to ask about the position. Practice answering common interview questions out loud.
- Follow up. After meeting your potential employer, follow up with an email or note thanking them for their time, which can leave a positive impression.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Internships
What exactly is an internship?
Internships are short-term opportunities to get hands-on work experience. Internships vary by organization, but interns generally help with team projects, tackle smaller tasks and learn about the industry.
Do you get paid in an internship?
Not all internships are paid. Though some organizations pay their interns, some offer college credits instead of payment, while others offer both.
What is the difference between an apprenticeship and an internship?
An apprenticeship is a long-term, paid position that trains workers in specialized trades like construction, carpentry or IT. Internships are short-term positions with a broader scope that only sometimes pay a wage. Both apprenticeships and internships provide skill-building and hands-on experience to entry-level workers.
