Discover why an Internship offered by Online Universities is a Valuable Experience
Monday, 26 October 2020
An internship is a great opportunity for students to enter the workforce in their specific field and gain valuable work experience. There are many other benefits why you should consider doing an internship offered by online universities. Discover all the major benefits that internships bring about.
What is an Internship?
An internship consists of a period of time in which a college or university student works for a company, business, or any entity related to their field of study. During the internship, they may be asked to do meaningful, practical work that is relevant to their career interest. It gives students the opportunity to explore their career, to develop new skills, and to find their own interests.
Benefits of an Internship
An internship offers students valuable opportunities for self-development and exploration, among many others. Find out about all the benefits that doing an internship will bring about:
1. Build valuable work experience
Have you ever had a job before? If your answer is no, then you won’t meet the requirement many companies and entities ask for when looking for candidates for permanent positions: experience. Internships provide students with the perfect opportunity to fill that gap. If you do an internship, you will gain valuable experience in your field, which will come in handy when looking for a job. Not only will you be acquainted with how the business works but also how to operate in different circumstances in real life.
2. Gain experience in research
If your degree is related to the scientific field, an internship will most probably consist of some kind of lab work, which will allow you to gain valuable experience in research. This will allow you to experience firsthand, prior to finishing your degree, what the actual job entails. This will help you build hands-on experience and put into practice all the skills and knowledge you acquired during your studies.
3. Familiarize yourself with Different Departments
Interns are generally asked to perform various tasks in different areas of the business. This will allow you to get to know how every department works, what are your interests and what possibilities you have for career advancement.
4. Create a Mentor Relationship
Learning from an old hand is a valuable experience for developing all kinds of skills. Establishing a bond with an experienced worker who is already used to the work environment is a perfect opportunity for first-time workers to enter the workforce and gain experience without making the same mistakes as your mentor. Of course you will be making some other mistakes, but a mentor will allow you to overcome any situation in a more resourceful way because they are used to it. Being mentored will help you feel more confident in the workplace and learn more comfortably. A mentor will also provide you with a deep understanding of the career, which will come in handy when full-time employment comes.
5. Discover what your interests are
Generally, university programmes offer a wide picture of what a potential career in the field of study could be. They provide you with the information about every career path, but experiencing it first hand during an internship can be the best way to find out your real path. Hands-on learning is always the best way to discover what interests you. An internship is the perfect opportunity to experience the different career paths you may follow and to discover the one you prefer.
6. Establish Connections
During an internship, you will most probably meet and establish a relationship with your colleagues, which will help you build a long-lasting relationship that can be valuable for future jobs. When the time comes, your connections will be helpful when needing a job because they can recommend you for open positions.
7. Build a relevant resume
Even if you have some work experience, if it is not related to your degree or to the job you want to get, your resume will not be relevant when you apply for it. Doing an internship is the perfect way to put relevant experience in your resume that will actually help you when looking for a job.
8. Secure good references and recommendations
It is important that you show a positive, professional and hardworking attitude and that you try your best to perform your tasks thoroughly during an internship. On top of learning how the business works and of getting properly introduced to your chosen field, you will meet supervisors, mentors and peers that can be a valuable reference when pursuing another job in the future.
9. Get a permanent position
Not only will you have the opportunity to secure good references if you are hardworking and thorough in your work, you will also be able to get a permanent position. During your internship, you will be assessed by hiring managers because they want to determine whether you could be a right fit for a permanent job. You must show off all your knowledge and skills so that you stand out from the crowd if you are interested in securing a position.
10. Build your confidence
Excitement, anxiety, and ambition are among the feelings you may get when transitioning from college to the workforce for the first time. An internship is an incredible opportunity to do this transition. It can allow you to blow off some pressure and put the skills and knowledge you earned during your studies into practice. It is true that entering the workforce may seem a little daunting, but with an internship, you will have the experience to muster courage and confidence that will come in handy for future opportunities.
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