In today’s increasingly competitive job market, obtaining that crucial graduate job offer no longer depends solely on having a good degree. Nowadays, developing a successful career depends just as much on relevant job experience as it does on your educational background and exam results. As a result, internships have emerged as a crucial tool for individuals looking to differentiate themselves.
An internship is a time of employment that allows people, usually students or recent graduates, the chance to develop new skills and experience in a line of work they are interested in. An internship can be a crucial career development step since it can give you access to opportunities and new abilities that you wouldn’t otherwise have.
In addition to gaining technical expertise in the field of their choice, interns also learn how to communicate effectively with others in a professional context and hone crucial soft skills like time management, organisation, flexibility, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Here are some of the top reasons why internships are so important beyond the additional work experience you can add to your CV.
Learn more about your interests
Even if you believe you know the career you desire, you won’t be able to tell if it is a good fit for you until you have some work experience. This is one of the reasons internships are crucial when choosing a job. You might begin as an intern in a particular industry however, the more you look into it, the more you’ll learn about it. Each industry has its benefits and drawbacks. You may better comprehend the scope of your area by working in a real-world setting, which will also help you decide if it’s a career you want to follow in the future.
Your abilities will become more clear as a result of an internship, which will also motivate you to identify your strengths and flaws. It occasionally presents difficulties. However, the advantages you acquire from being forced out of your comfort zone will be extremely helpful to you later on when you are faced with a challenging task or circumstance.
Connections
Through internships, you can network with both young and seasoned people in your field. If the company where you are interning has other interns working there, you have a great chance to connect on a professional level. You can assist one another in getting hired or be recommended for opportunities at your companies later on in your professional careers.
Some students use it as a springboard for additional options within the same company, including full-time employment. Your chances of developing professionally increase when you come into contact with more people who share your interests. You will learn more about how these people operate, their methods for dealing with challenges, and how they do their tasks.
People differ in their skill sets. You will learn how to work with various individuals and in varied work contexts by meeting them and observing them at work. You can adapt their tactics to your situation by using them.
Earn and learn in a safe environment
Internships are valuable since they provide the best opportunity to identify your professional skills and limitations. An intern can learn how to correct their mistakes at their internship, but more significantly, they can learn how to move on from them.
Even though not all internship positions offer compensation, many do pay while also giving students useful entry-level experience. Having a paid internship not only has financial benefits but will also help you with future job applications because it shows how your skill level contributed to you getting the opportunity.
Find out more about whether internships are paid or unpaid!
Discover how to manage your work-life balance
It’s possible that your university schedule will allow you to exercise, nap, or catch up with friends in between classes. The typical office job has a totally different schedule, though. You can gain additional knowledge about how to prioritise activities like working out, socialising, and doing housework before and after your workday by doing an internship.
Your new schedule forces you to think more about how to plan your daily routine around office hours, which helps you improve your time management abilities.
If you’re thinking of an internship this year, why not join our sessions with the UK’s best intern employers?