18 September 2018
Avi Petrucci
One of the main reasons society values higher education is because of its ability to ensure an individual’s successful and bright future. However, there is often a flaw with this way of thinking: the unfortunate reality that a college degree isn’t always enough. This reality often has students stumbling in the dark wondering what their other options are or if there are even other options out there.
Here’s another option: internships.
More college and university students should take advantage of internships in order to get ahead in the cut-throat job market.
According to employer, aftercollege.com, more than 80 percent of college students don’t have a job lined up after college and based off of the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE) 2012 Internship & Co-op Survey, it can be assumed that the majority of this 80 percent did not take part in an internship.
In further detail, this survey reported on by thebalancecarrers.com states “that approximately 60 percent of college graduates in 2012 who completed a paid internship received at least one job offer.”
Participating in an internship, paid or unpaid, can help your resume stand out from the hundreds of others, as employers increasingly want to see prior experience in new college graduates, because they are also increasingly following the belief that internship programs are the best paths for hiring entry-level candidates, and because employers are often impressed by an individual who could manage their education and an internship.
Although I don’t currently have any personal experience with internships, my brothers background is a perfect example of the effect an internship can have.
He interned at a chemistry lab for three years while he was in college and credits it for his job. Only one month after graduating he accepted a full-time job in a field he’s passionate about.
Besides benefiting your future and making your resume more appealing to employers, completing an internships can also better yourself.
According to livecareer.com, internships help improve confidence, increase motivation and work habits, develop skills and help build a network.
Overall, internships help students get a foot in the door of an ever demanding job market and can be the difference between being offered a job you’ll love and constantly searching for one.
Jonathan Jones, head of Investment Talent Development at Point72 Asset Management, on Quora says it best, “the one thing you absolutely cannot afford to do is nothing. You cannot afford to create a disadvantage for yourself by failing to use your summers or other downtime productively in pursuit of your career goals. Because everyone you’ll be up against for that job you want will not be making that mistake.